Jabiluka blockade: 'a symbol of resistance'
JABIRU, NT — MEGAN KINNINMENT, a member of the Jabiluka blockade coordinating group, spoke to Green Left Weekly's REBECCA MECKELBURG on June 26 about the situation at the blockade, which began at the uranium mine site on March 23.
Kinninment described the mood as "very positive" following the arrival of bus-loads of people from "down south". "There are about 250 people here and more are on the way."
The growing numbers reflects the growing support for the campaign, Kinninment said. "The people coming to the blockade are not 'professional' protesters. Most have never been to a blockade or participated in this kind of action before. They are people who have a huge commitment to making sure that this campaign wins."
Kinninment told Green Left Weekly about how new arrivals to the blockade are actively involved. "There are actions going on all day, every day.
"We operate on the principle of non-violent action. We have two kinds of actions. First, symbolic actions — mass actions that involve most of the people at the blockade. We have plans for a mass walk on to the lease area to show the level of support for the blockade and keep the issue in the headlines. Second, we also have non-violent direct actions."
Kinninment described how "the Jabiluka Action Group (JAG) in most cities are organising support campaigns. In Sydney, they have been holding regular marches from Town Hall to Energy Resources of Australia's office [ERA is the company developing the mine]. They have set up a tent embassy outside. This has been a great boost for us.
"In Melbourne, JAG has been holding actions outside North Ltd (which owns 68% of ERA). The Maritime Union of Australia has been tremendously supportive, particularly the Queensland branch. We've also received a message from the NSW MUA secretary, Jim Donovan, telling us the MUA is totally on side and MUA representatives have spoken at rallies in Melbourne and Sydney."
The blockade has also gained support in other countries. "We've had the greatest support in Germany. In Bonn, they unfurled the world's biggest banner saying 'Save Jabiluka'. There have been international days of action supported by people in Germany, Canada and Japan.
"The European parliament has denounced the Jabiluka mine after the Aboriginal traditional owners sent a delegation to France. The World Heritage Bureau is sending an international investigation team to Jabiluka because they are concerned that if the mine goes ahead it could threaten Kakadu National Park's world heritage listing. Kakadu has been placed on the danger list because the cultural and environmental values of the area are threatened."
Kinninment urged people to get involved in the campaign by joining their local JAG groups. "Rallies and actions that involve more and more people are, in my opinion, the most important actions we can take. The greater the critical mass, the more people are involved, the greater we have a chance of succeeding."
Kinninment said that, "This issue is not just about uranium or land rights or the environment. It's also a human rights issue, it's about standing up for our future. It's about our right to have a say in what goes on in this country.
"All the polls say that many people are opposed to the Jabiluka plan. Everyone should be involved in the campaign in whatever way they can, from actions to writing letters. We can also support industries that are developing alternative energy sources."
"All other channels of action to stop the mine have been exhausted", Kinninment told Green Left Weekly. "The existing political and legal channels have not worked. At the blockade, people are putting their bodies on the line to stop Jabiluka going ahead.
"The blockade is not just about physically stopping the work. The focus is on getting the message across; it is a symbol of people's resistance to Jabiluka. The blockade is necessary, but it's not more or less important than all of the actions going on around the country and the international protests. All of this work to get more and more people involved will help us win."