"We who are organizing this are healthcare professionals, who if the factory is established will have to deal with these diseases that will affect our children and grandchildren," says Sari Myllyniemi, a pediatric nurse and one of the initiators, to TT.
She states that around 6,000 people participated in the demonstration.
The company Senior Material has been granted an exemption by the Swedish Chemicals Agency to release up to 900 tons per year of the carcinogenic and nerve-damaging chemical methyl chloride in production at its factory in Svista in eastern Eskilstuna.
The decision has been appealed by the municipal government and has stirred up many emotions among residents.
Sari Myllyniemi says that it has also spread outside the municipality.
People came from Arboga, Västerås and Strängnäs. They have understood that this poison will spread to other places as well, it doesn't just apply to Eskilstuna.
Among the speakers at the demonstration were Gunnar Johansson, senior professor of toxicology, several doctors and Eskilstuna native Fredrik Lindström. The goal is to reach all the way to government level, says Sari Myllyniemi.
We must not be forgotten, we will not agree to that. It is not okay for a Chinese company to come and open a factory here.
