Critical Mass (Anti-nuclear group)

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.^[2] 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.^[3] 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.^[4][5]

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.^[6][5]

See also

• Anti-nuclear groups in the United States
• Anti-nuclear movement in the United States

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Wolfgang Rudig (1990). Anti-nuclear Movements: A World Survey of Opposition to Nuclear Energy, Longman, p. 402.
2. ^ Steve Cohn (1997). Too cheap to meter: an economic and philosophical analysis of the nuclear dream SUNY Press, pp. 133-134.
3. ^ Steve E. Barkan. Strategic, Tactical and Organizational Dilemmas of the protest Movement Against Nuclear Power Social Problems, Vol. 27, No. 1, October 1979, p. 23.
4. ^ Jerome Price (1982). The Anti-nuclear Movement, Twayne Publishers, p. 13.
5. ^ ^{a b} Justin Martin (2002). Nader, Perseus Publishing, pp. 172-179.
6. ^ Jerome Price (1982). The Anti-nuclear Movement, Twayne Publishers, p. 15.