The long-awaited blockade of the Jabiluka uranium project, situated in the heart of the World Heritage Kakadu National Park in northwestern Australia, began on March 24.  The massive new project spearheaded by Energy Resources of Australia (ERA) threatens the homelands of the aboriginal Mirrar Gundjehmi, and the nonviolent blockade with international representation is established and ongoing with their support and direction.

"The Mirrar welcome these people who are standing with us to stop the proposed Jabiluka mine.  The evidence against the mine is overwhelming, and in the face of the Government allowing it to continue, the people will stop it.  This blockadewill not allow the mine to proceed.  The Traditional owners, the Mirrar, have said no," stated Jacqui Katona, spokesperson for the Mirrar Traditional Owners of the land.

By mid-May, an old car was partially in the middle of the access road as a base for activists to lock on to whenever the construction crews arrived.  On May 8, two people were arrested for trespass when they locked onto the illegally constructed construction compound.

On May 19, Mirrar traditional owners Yvonne Margarula and Jacqui Katona were arrested after entering the site security compound with several other Mirrar.  Margarula is recognized as the senior traditional owner and holds legal title to the site where she was cited for trespass.

On May 22, the Federal Court granted Margarula's application to stop the project pending the completion of an environmental assessment.  Eight blockaders were arrested at the site on May 26. None of those arrested during the campaign remain jailed, but the blockade is expected to continue for at least another six months.

For more information, contact the Environment Centre of the Northern Territory, GPO Box 2120, Darwin, NT 0801, Australia, or Friends of the Earth/Sydney at e-mail:nonukes@foesyd.org.au
The Mirrar Gundjehmi people now have a website at http://www.green.net.au/gundjehmi

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last updated July 10 1998