The Critical Mass Energy Project was formed by Ralph Nader in 1974 as a national anti-nuclear umbrella group.[1] It was probably the largest national anti-nuclear group in the United States, with several hundred local affiliates and an estimated 200,000 supporters. Part of Nader's support comes from a Green agenda and the belief that "the most important office in America for anyone to achieve is full-time citizen."[2][3] The organization's main efforts were directed at lobbying activities and providing local groups with scientific and other resources to campaign against nuclear power.[1]

The first national anti-nuclear conference, "Critical Mass '74" was held in Washington D.C. under the sponsorship of Ralph Nader.[4] Workshops were held and groups throughout the United States learned about forming anti-nuclear organizations. At about the same time, Karen Silkwood, a nuclear plant worker, was killed in a car accident while investigating her nuclear energy company. There was speculation that the accident may have been intended.[5][6]

The second Critical Mass conference was held in November 1975, and this involved a candlelight vigil in front of the White House for Karen Silkwood.[5][7]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Rüdig, Wolfgang (1990). Anti-nuclear movements: a world survey of opposition to nuclear energy. Longman Current Affairs. p. 402. ISBN 978-0-582-90269-5.
  2. ^ John F. Mongillo; Bibi Booth (2001). Environmental Activists. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-313-30884-0.
  3. ^ Cohn, Steven Mark (1997). Too Cheap to Meter: An Economic and Philosophical Analysis of the Nuclear Dream. SUNY Press. pp. 133–134. ISBN 978-0-7914-3389-8.
  4. ^ Barkan, Steven E. (October 1979). "Strategic, Tactical and Organizational Dilemmas of the Protest Movement against Nuclear Power" (PDF). Social Problems. 27 (1): 19–37. doi:10.1525/sp.1979.27.1.03a00030. ISSN 0037-7791.
  5. ^ a b Martin, Justin (2002). Nader: Crusader, Spoiler, Icon. Perseus Pub. pp. 172–179. ISBN 978-0-7382-0563-2.
  6. ^ Price, Jérôme (1990). The antinuclear movement. Twayne Publishers. p. 13. ISBN 978-0-8057-9736-7.
  7. ^ Price, Jérôme (1990). The antinuclear movement. Twayne Publishers. p. 15. ISBN 978-0-8057-9736-7.
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