Marking the 10th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, activists around Australia held pickets and rallies on April 26 and 27 to protest against the nuclear industry and the Australian government's role in it. Actions were organised by Resistance in several cities, and in others by coalitions which included Resistance activists. On May 24 there will be a national day of action against uranium mining.
Dallas Blackmore reports from Brisbane that a rally in King George Square organised by the Anti-Nuclear Alliance drew 350 protesters, who were addressed by speakers from the Democratic Socialist Party (DSP), the Greens, the International Socialist Organisation, the Community and Public Sector Union, HEMP, Greenpeace and Resistance.
When protesters began to march, police arrested eight people. The protest then moved to the watch-house, where a vigil was held until the protesters were released. The eight will appear in court on May 7.
Zanny Begg, Resistance organiser and activist in the Anti-Nuclear Alliance, who was one of the eight arrested, told Â鶹´«Ã½ Weekly, "We had not arranged a police escort, as we were only planning to hold a small vigil. However, the rally was larger than we expected and we decided to have a march. I attempted to negotiate with the police but they were not communicative and once the march took off, they overreacted."
To get involved in the May 24 action, ring 3254 0565.
Claire McLiam writes from Darwin that a rally of 100 people gathered in Raintree Park. Lunchtime street theatre in Smith Street Mall helped publicise the rally. Activists wearing white radiation suits and gas masks carried a radiation-affected planet earth strapped to a stretcher. Hanging off either side of the stretcher were banners with the words "Chernobyl, 10 years on — 250,000 dead and still counting".
At the rally, Tom Flanagan from the DSP said that the amount of radiation released by the Chernobyl disaster was 200 times that released by the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs. "This makes a mockery of NT Labor Party leader Maggie Hickey's statement that the export of Australian uranium is okay as long as it's not used in nuclear weapons. There's no such thing as friendly nuclear contamination."
Jane Weepers from the Environment Centre of the Northern Territory said that all Australians should demand a say on whether new uranium mines go ahead in Kakadu National Park. A recent survey showed that 55% oppose uranium mining in Kakadu.
Labor MP John Bailey told the rally that while he had "concerns" about the nuclear fuel cycle, his membership of the ALP meant that he had to abide by the party's pro-uranium policy.
Ilana Eldridge of the NT Greens and Grusha Leeman from ENuFF (Everyone for a Nuclear Free Future) also spoke. Leeman encouraged people to join in the May Day anti-uranium contingent and the May 24 national day of action.
In Canberra, Marina Carman reports that a speak-out organised by Resistance in Civic attracted around 50 people. Green MLA Lucy Harodny spoke about the environmental problems of uranium mining, and Kamini Junankar from Resistance said that governments should have learned by now that nuclear power is not safe.
Greg Adamson, author of We All Live on Three Mile Island and member of the DSP, described the long history of the anti-uranium movement. There was also a speaker from Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor. To help Resistance organise an action on May 24, ring 247 2424.
Bronwyn Blockely in Perth reports that 120 people joined in an anti-nuclear speak-out and action at the Cultural Centre organised by the Anti-uranium Collective in association with Resistance.
Brenda Conochie's inspirational songs opened the action. Dr Harry Cohen from the Medical Association for the Prevention of War spoke about the horrific health effects of radiation. WA Greens Senator Dee Margetts spoke about the dangers of nuclear reactors. The action was also addressed by high-school student and Resistance member Becky Forster.
A small but loud group marched through the city led by two members of Resistance in radiation suits.
In Sydney, Wendy Robertson writes that a picket outside ERA organised by Stop Uranium Mining attracted around 100 people. Speakers included Ian Cohen from the Greens and John Hallam from Friends of the Earth. Messages of support from the Democrats, WA Greens and Maritime Workers Union were read out. Paul Howes, a high school anti-nuclear activist and Resistance member, encouraged young people to get involved in the campaign because "the government and mining companies are threatening our future".
Wreaths were laid outside the ERA building and a minute's silence observed. The picket also expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian community who were holding a vigil at Parliament House. SUM is organising a rally on May 24. Phone 690 1977 for details.
From Hobart, Edwina Foster and Kylie Moon relate that 30 people gathered in Franklin Square at a Resistance speak-out against the Howard government's "open-slather" uranium mining policy.
Activists with nuclear symbols painted on their faces attracted the interest of passers-by, and drivers "honked against uranium". Speakers included: Matthew Munroe, a Resistance activist from Tasmania Uni; Peg Putt, Tasmanian Greens MP; Edwina, a Resistance high-school activist; Hobart Resistance organiser Sarah Stephen; Kylie Moon from Students in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor; and Danuh, an activist from the Tasmanian Forest Alliance. An organising meeting for the May 24 rally will be held on May 3. Contact Natalie on 346 397.
From Melbourne, Alana Kerr reports, a demonstration organised by the No More Hiroshimas Coalition was held at the GPO. Around 120 protesters and passers-by stopped to listen. Speakers included Dave Sweeney from Friends of the Earth and Ray Fulcher from the DSP, who spoke of the need to rebuild the grassroots anti-uranium movement.
Fiona Passmore reports from Wollongong that 100 people attended a rally and march in the mall. Tony Hastings from the World Environment Society, Ally Finlay from the University of Wollongong Environment Society and Toby Hawker from Resistance addressed the rally.
Resistance is organising a World Environment Day march with the demands: no mines in Kakadu; no uranium sales to Indonesia; no export woodchipping. Ring 26 2010 for more information.
From Newcastle, Kamala Emanuel writes that 30 people attended a Resistance speak-out in the Hunter Street Mall. Passers-by signed anti-nuclear petitions. Speakers from Resistance and the DSP addressed issues including the hazards of the uranium cycle and nuclear power, the Indonesian nuclear program and the need for alternative energy. Jane Beckman talked about the link between uranium mining and Aboriginal land rights.