By Ruth Ratcliffe
BRISBANE — A day of action to protest against the Jabiluka uranium mine was held on November 21.
Around 200 protesters gathered in Queen's Park for a rally addressed by Dave Perry from the Maritime Union of Australia and Pat Dengate from the University of Queensland environment collective.
Bec Duffey from the Brisbane Jabiluka Action Group urged the protesters to remember that "as individuals we can make a difference, but as a united group we make more of a difference".
The rally marched, chanted, drummed and sang its way to the stock exchange, where a die-in was held to remember all those who had suffered as a result of uranium mining and Aboriginal dispossession. The protesters then moved on to the Westpac "Investment Lounge" in the Queen Street Mall.
The protesters were eager to hold a speak-out against Westpac, which is one of the main investors in North Limited, the parent company of Energy Resources of Australia, which owns the Jabiluka mine site. However, police confiscated the protesters' megaphone.
The protesters began chanting "Free speech in the mall!" and "Queensland, police state. Demand the right to demonstrate." One protester was arrested for "obscene language".
When the speak-out got under way using sheer lung power, Resistance member Kieran Swann recounted an instance in which school students were asked to write an essay on why uranium mining was clean and safe.
The protesters then marched to the Herschel Street watch-house to demand the release of the arrested activist. Speakers there described the 1970s campaign for the right to march in Queensland, and a day of action against Westpac on December 15 was announced.
The arrested protester was released and will appear in court on December 4.
In Melbourne, reports Jo Williams, 80 people demonstrated against the Jabiluka uranium mine on November 19. The rally began at Flinders Street Station, then marched through the city with flags, banners, drums and a lot of chanting.
A peaceful protest against North Limited took place outside the stock exchange. Protesters were prevented from entering the building by 150 police, 15 on horseback.