Jabiluka campaign gathers pace
By Emma Webb
ADELAIDE — Three anti-uranium activists are facing charges including assaulting a police officer, obstructing arrest and property damage following a December 13 rally and march against the Jabiluka mine. More than 500 people attended the protest.
During the march, protesters stopped to paint anti-mine and pro-land rights messages on a temporary building structure at the old John Martins site.
The three arrested had not taken part in the painting; police targeted people in the crowd of onlookers. The activists are receiving legal advice, and their cases have been adjourned until February.
The first Jabiluka Action Group meeting after December 13 was attended by more than 40 people to plan JAG actions and events this year.
JAG will hold a film night, screening the latest Jabiluka protest documentary, ERA of Destruction. Also on the program will be Australia Daze, a documentary about the protests and issues surrounding the 1988 bicentenary "celebrations"; Always Was, Always Will Be, an account of the historic protest of the Aboriginal people of Perth to protect the sacred ground on the banks of Swan River; and a leaked Pangea Resources video promoting Australia as an international high-level nuclear waste dump. Footage from JAG actions in Adelaide last year will also be shown.
The film night is on January 30, 7.30pm, at Tandanya Aboriginal Cultural Institute, 253 Grenfell Street. JAG's next rally and march will coincide with the Womadelaide Festival. The rally will start at 10am on Sunday, February 21, at Parliament House and will march to the festival. JAG will also be campaigning all weekend with a stall at Womadelaide.
In March, JAG will sponsor the What's Your Alternative Festival on Sunday, March 14, at Rymill Park. JAG has also begun planning its participation in the Palm Sunday Jabiluka national day of action on March 28.
The JAG office, at the Conservation Council, is staffed from noon on Mondays and is often open at other times. JAG meets every Monday at 6pm. Phone JAG on 8232 2566.