Koijärvi Movement

Its objective was to prevent the draining of Lake Koijärvi [fi] near Forssa, an important bird habitat.

[1] The struggle lasted for two years and brought together previously fragmented, small circles of environmental activists to form a national movement.

In April 1979 the landowners dug the drainage ditch without authorization to drain the lake when the resolution of the case in the Water Court (vesioikeus) was delayed in progress.

According to Timo Järvikoski's research, the members of the movement perceived environmental problems as social issues and tried to criticize the consumer society with their actions.

Charges were brought against those chained for the events in Koijärvi, and the trial in Tammela's engagement court began after a long preparation in May 1982.

In December 1982, a total of 101 accused nature conservationists were sentenced to fines for 'snitching and causing harm' to the authorities.

Many leaders of the Koijärvi movement, such as Ville Komsi and Osmo Soininvaara, were involved in founding the Green League.

Komsi entered parliament as one of the first two MPs of the green movement (with the other being Kalle Könkkölä) in the 1983 elections.