road protests 1997
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Date: Tue, 04 Mar 1997 00:45:09 +0000
From: Reclaim the Streets!
To: roadalert@gn.apc.org
Subject: URGENT DEMO RE: BOUGAINVILLE
URGENT ! URGENT! URGENT!
British Hitmen Sent To Bougainville
PICKET THE PAPUA NEW GUINEA HIGH COMMISSION,
14 WATERLOO PLACE, LONDON, SW1(NEAR PICCADILLY CIRCUS).
MEET OUTSIDE 11AM WEDNESDAY 5TH MARCH
"We now understand and have seen with our own eyes the destructive effects
of the Copper mine operations on our land, our environment, our society and
our culture. The mine will remain closed for the rest of our
lives."-Declaration of Panguana Landowners, 1992.
Earlier this week it was discoverd that a London based company, Sandline
International, have sent over 150 mercenaries to fight the indegenous
population of Bouganville, a small island in the South Pacific.
In 1969, CRA, a British-Australian mining corporation forced local people
off their land so they could dig the biggest copper mine in the world.
After years of ignored protests about the vast ecological damage,
increasing pollution, ill health and for many a situation of near slavery,
they had had enough. In 1988 Islanders stole company explosives, destroying
pylons, buildings and machinery. Under colonialism Bougainville was given to
Papua New Guniea (PNG). To re-open the mine PNG sent in the military,
attacking the population, razing villages and herding Bougainvillians into
concentration camps. Bougainville, with a population of only 160,000 has
managed to close and keep closed one of the biggest mines in the world.
Despite having to fight the well armed PNG army, they have held their ground
for 9 years without any outside support, with antique guns & homemade guns
made out of water piping and planks. Their few vehicles being running on
coconut oil.
Now PNG is sending London-based mercenaries to murder for money. This
revolution is ecological. One of the many uprisings by native peoples to
defend their land and themselves. As Environmentalists we should support
them. Unless we act, the above brave statement 'the mine will not open as
long as we live' could simply mean their lives will not be that long.
Bougainville Freedom Movement (UK), c/o SDEF, Prior House, Tilbury place,
Brighton, E.Sussex, BN2 2GY
----------------------------------------------
Reclaim the Streets Tel: 0171 281 4621
http://www.hrc.wmin.ac.uk/campaigns/rts.html
P.O. Box 9656 London N4 4JY
road protests 1997
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| movement links