Clamshell Coalition Agrees on Tactics

The anti-nuclear Clamshell Alliance, attempting to heal a rift between militant and moderate factions, agreed last weekend to reorganize the regional alliance and to support any protests that did not involve "violence against people."

The consensus, reached after two days of meetings at Brown University in Providence, was seen by many Clamshell members as an affirmation of the tactics of the Coalition for Direct Action at Seabrook (CDAS), which attempted last October to occupy the nuclear plant under construction in Seabrook, N.H.

CDAS organizers said tactics used during the October 6 protest, which included attempts to cut down the fence surrounding the plant, consisted of "violence against property, not people."

Although the Clamshell convention took no official position on CDAS plans for a May 24 repeat of the occupation attempt, Nella LaRosa, a member of the Boston Clamshell group, said "the results of the weekend would certainly indicate support for that idea."

LaRosa called the weekend "a redefinition and reaffirmation of the Clamshell Alliance," adding that plans were being made to increase representation from member groups from around New England.

"There was the feeling that things had sort of stiffened up and deadened," LaRosa said. "Everybody felt there had to be some reorganization."

The Clamshell Alliance had split this fall over the "direct action" occupation attempt, with some members feeling that the anti-nuclear movement would be better served by peaceful rallies and protests.

Many Clamshell members said at the time, however, that the rift was only a temporary division over tactics and did not reflect a deep split in the movement.

Protesters, held off by Mace and tear gas-wielding policemen, tried unsuccessfully for three days in early October to break down the chain link fence surrounding the plant and occupy the reactor site.

The Seabrook plant is currently about one quarter complete, although financial difficulties have hampered construction in recent months. The plant is scheduled for completion in 1985