By Wendy Robertson
SYDNEY — An emergency rally here on World Environment Day, June 5, to oppose uranium mining at Jabiluka was attended by around 400 people. A similar size rally was held a week before.
Opposition to the Jabiluka mine has been growing steadily all year, despite the mainstream media's cursory coverage. The campaign is drawing in many young people and anti-Jabiluka T-shirts are a common sight on Sydney's streets. Sydney University, the University of NSW, Macquarie University and the University of Technology (UTS) have Jabiluka Action Groups with 10 to 30 active members each. A recent showing of David Bradbury's documentary Jabiluka at UNSW attracted 120 people.
The campaign is led in Sydney by the central Jabiluka Action Group, which meets every Wednesday at UTS. It has mobilised, at very short notice, hundreds of activists for emergency pickets and to cover the city with posters.
At the June 5 demonstration, a tent city was set up outside Energy Resources Australia. After an initial scuffle with police, the city council permitted the tent city to stay. It now serves as a constant reminder of opposition to the mine and has become an important source of information for passers-by.
Food and drink has been donated by nearby shops. Bus drivers and others who work in the city drop in to find out more and express their support. Over $1000 has been raised at the tents.
The blockade of the mine site has inspired anti-uranium activists. Those who have been to the blockade return determined to continue campaigning.
During the university holidays, JAG has organised 250 to 300 people to go to the blockade and hundreds more will be make their own way. A music group, Oms not Bombs, has bought a bus and plans to travel to the blockade through rural Australia, spreading the anti-Jabiluka message with their music.
A Sydney University "peace bus" will travel to the Students and Sustainability Conference in Hobart, then to the blockade, before returning to Sydney. Those on board will stop in country towns to share their experiences with local people.
The major focus for the campaign in Sydney will be the Hiroshima Day rally on August 8.
In Canberra, reports Kim Bullimore, more than 80 people attended a colourful and noisy speak-out against the Jabiluka uranium mine, organised by the ACT JAG, on June 4.
Speakers included Dr Michael Denborough from the Nuclear Disarmament Party, Gareth Smith from the Canberra Peace Program, Sue Wareham from the Medical Association for the Prevention of War and local Greens MP Kerrie Tucker.