By Wendy Robertson
and Keara Cortney
SYDNEY — Forty people attended a "Stop the Jabiluka mine" information and planning night at the Wayside Chapel here on November 24 to discuss ways of increasing the activist base of the campaign.
The night included slides of the Jabiluka activist camp earlier in the year. More than 100 student activists visited the proposed site after the Students and Sustainability conference. There were shots of the first demonstration to take place at the Ranger mine, a joint action of students and the Mirrar Gundjehmi, the local Aboriginal people.
During discussion, it was reported that there is talk of the Labor Party changing its "three mines" policy to an open slather policy at its national conference. The ALP has already indicated it will honour any contracts signed under the Liberal government.
Participants agreed on the need for campaign that builds mass support. The idea of a symbolic blockade of the mine was discussed.
It was agreed to float the idea of a large national day of action early next year to focus the campaign. Networking with trade unions, schools and community organisations was seen as a necessity.
The night also launched a Jabiluka campaign pledge, which will be used as a focus for stalls and networking. Jabiluka, a film about the Mirrar people directed by David Bradbury, will soon be launched in most major cities.
Five working parties were established to plan future actions, prepare for the blockade and raise funds. One group will work out a "corporate strategy" to target large corporations involved in the mine.
The coalition will meet every fortnight at University of Technology, Sydney. For information about the campaign or meetings, and copies of the Jabiluka campaign pledge, phone 9690 1977.