Walk away from uranium mining

July 22, 2011
Issue 

Footprints for Peace, an international grassroots group that organises walks, bike rides and runs around the world, invites families and people of all ages, background and cultures to come and support traditional owners in their opposition to uranium mining in Western Australia by taking part in the “Walk away from uranium mining” that begins in Wiluna on August 19 and finishes in Perth on October 28.

We will demonstrate that we have the choice to walk away from this costly, toxic industry — which produces radioactive waste and weapons usable material — in favour of renewable energy options.

Footprints for Peace are working together with the Western Australian Nuclear Free Alliance (WANFA) to organise this grassroots awareness-raising and action-based campaign.

WANFA, which is made up of Aboriginal traditional owners from the Pilbara, the Kimberley, the Goldfields, the Great Victoria Desert, the Central Desert, the Gascoyne, Perth and the South West, has given full permission and support to the event.

We have confirmed walkers from all over Australia. International supporters are coming from New Zealand, France, Greece, Italy and the United States, including Native American people to support Australian traditional owners’ campaign to stop uranium mining.

Everyone is welcome to join the walk for a few hours, a day, a few weeks or the whole way. Even if you cannot walk we still require financial assistance, drivers, kitchen crew members, media liaison volunteers, video operators and photographers, musicians, artists, singers and general support for daily events, such as camp set up and pack up, food shopping and water collection.

The walk will follow a scheduled route from Wiluna south to Kalgoorlie, and then due west to Perth over 10 weeks.



The walkers will cover a distance of 20 to 25 kilometres a day, with a rest day every five days.

A luggage vehicle will carry each walker’s personal items. A kitchen truck will be stocked with a 1000 litre water container. A support vehicle equipped with first aid, food and water will also transport people that cannot make the full distance each day.

On August 17, a send off rally for the walkers will take place at Stirling Gardens, Perth at 11am, before marching to state parliament at noon.

Join us in Wiluna on August 19 for the beginning of the walk, to witness and experience the nuclear industry first hand. Come and listen to traditional owners, walk to BHP Billiton’s proposed uranium mine site at Yeelirree, and be a part of the nuclear free movement to strengthen the opposition to this dangerous and deadly industry.

The walk will begin on the 45th anniversary of the Wave Hill walk-off in 1966, in which Vincent Lingiari led a walk off of Aboriginal workers on Gurindji land to demand wage rights and land rights for Aboriginal people.

We will remember the success and courage of past struggles that continue today. We will remember the fundamental issue about Aboriginal traditional lands — the traditional wisdom to respect the country and “Iranti Wanti” (leave the poison in the ground).

The walk’s conclusion in Perth will coincide with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. There we will deliver our well-supported and strong message that it is time to shut down the nuclear industry’s plans to expand in Western Australia and the rest of Australia.

For our children, for our children’s children, and for a peaceful, nuclear free future.

[A bus for participants in the ‘Walk away from uranium mining’ will leave from Perth on August 18 and return on August 26. To book tickets email nffc@footprintsforpeace.org or visit http://nuclearfreefuture.com/ ]

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