Jabiluka Ploughshares Update

Treena Lenthal writes:

"Back again in Berrimah Jail, I am serving time for refusing to pay restitution and court costs. Costs Ciaron and I were ordered to pay for our disarmament of mining equipment at the Jabiluka uranium mine of Nagasaki Day '98.

"This refusal lead us back to Darwin earlier this year. It was a quick stay on the 'outside', reconnecting with a few friends and supporters from the blockade era. Everything was very familiar as if no time had lapsed since we were last here.

"On the anniversary of the beginning of the Gulf Massacre (January 17) we made our way to Kakadu National Park, home of the Jabiluka and Ranger uranium mines. Eighteen months had passed since we first took this journey. Both times have been an experience of awe at the beauty and grandeur of this landmark. It is disheartening to think of the environmental damage alone caused by digging up this poisonous substance.

"Arriving at Ranger, we placed ourselves at the entrance to the mine. Remembering those who have suffered at the other end of the nuclear assembly line, we stood holding a banner reading: Depleted Uranium Munitions Keep Killing Iraqi Kids. In front of the gate we placed a basket bearing symbols of war: photos of Iraqi children dying of cancer; flowers of remembrance; biscuits and cordial - goods stolen by some aboriginal men imprisoned for one year under the Mandatory Sentencing laws of the Northern Territory. Also included was a copy of our statement and a hammer - symbols of hope and disarmament.

"For 15 minutes we attempted to engage ERA workers whose vehicles were unable to pass through, alerting them to the significance of this day. The head of ERA security, Phil Devine, greeted us amicably but informed us that he would have to contact the police if we refused to move. The police eventually arrived, one of them the officer from our initial arrest at Jabiluka. Leaving the basket behind we were taken to Jabiru Police Station. Staff were obviously a lot less stressed since the end of the blockade. Despite some difficulties in finding our warrants, within a couple of hours we were piled into the back of a divvy van for another familiar journey to Berrimah Jail..."

Lenthall and O'Reilly were released from jail on March 23. A letter from jail by Ciaron O'Reilly also appears in this issue. For more information, contact Jabiluka Ploughshares, P.O. Box 3818, Darwin NT 0801, Australia; ploughshares@wildmail.com

Former Australian Senator Jo Vallentine also served seven days in jail in January for non-payment of a fine imposed after her arrest at the Jabiluka mine site, and several other arrests have recently been reported at protests of uranium mining in Australia .