Marsden Point, Whangarei - 20 February 2005 - Today is the fifth day of the Greenpeace occupation of Marsden B. At midday, around 500 people marched and gathered on the beach beneath the dormant power station in protest at Mighty River Power's plans to convert it to coal.

Surfers Against Sulphur (SAS) - 19-feb-05: Protest against the Marsden B cola fired power station proposal.

The Greenpeace-organised "Stop Marsden B-each Day Out" drew strong local support from Ruakaka and Whangarei residents, along with people from as far away as the Bay of Islands.

They represented the local hapu, play centres, the fire service and schools. Young and old, with hand-made banners, gathered at the gates of the power station, and marched to Bream Bay beach chanting 'No to coal' and 'Yes to wind.' There, they stood side by side to spell out two human messages in the sand: NO COAL and STOP MARSDEN B

It is now five days since Greenpeace activists scaled Marsden B early on Wednesday morning and set up their occupation. The three remaining activists are resolute in their determination to stay until the Government acts to stop Marsden B.

"Being up here to support the extraordinary local opposition against this environmentally insane idea is a real privilege. Seeing everyone below us today strengthens our resolve to stay here until the Government or Mighty River Power stop Marsden B," said Wellington activist Kate Lowe.

"This sort of public turnout must break the Government's resounding silence on Marsden B," said Greenpeace Campaigner Steve Abel. "Instead of pretending there's nothing happening, the Government needs to take the matter in hand by stopping Marsden B coal and establishing New Zealand's energy future as clean, sustainable and renewable."

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