Anti-nuclear visitors lend a hand

By Tom Flanagan DARWIN — Two visitors from Texas, US gave unexpected support to local protesters against the ERA uranium shipment on November 2. When George and Dora Mower, aged 68 and 71, bought two of the nine passenger tickets for a round the world tour on the Clydebank they had no idea that the ship would be carrying yellowcake. The Mowers have demanded their money back. George Mower told Green Left Weekly that he was not reassured by the ship company's claims that the radioactivity of the ore was less of a danger to human health than the other toxic chemicals it contains. The Mowers were on the Clydebank on October 31 when Greenpeace activists attached themselves to the anchor chain. Looking over the edge of the ship, George Mower dropped his glasses which were quickly retrieved by a Greenpeace activist. Mower ignored another passenger's charge that he was "giving aid and comfort to the enemy" and expressed his gratitude by lowering three bottles of beer to the thirsty protesters. Another case of international support had more negative consequences for the visitors. Shortly after the Mower's visit to the picket line a group of German tourists arrived. Police demanded that two of them, who were wearing T-shirts that read "Fuck Chirac", change their shirts or be arrested. The incredulous visitors refused and were carted off in the paddy wagon as protesters yelled "welcome to Australia".