Newsletter date: 18 July 2012
Contents:
* Background to the Lizards Revenge
* Lizards Revenge media updates from camp
* Video: Uncle Kevin Buzzacott declares Sovereignty
* Audio: The Wire - Protesters stand firm against uranium mining [Featuring: Uncle Kevin Buzzacott]
* Lizards Revenge in the media
* Indymedia: Solidarity Demo in London for Lizard's Revenge
* Background to expansion of Olympic Dam mine challenge
* Chris Graham: White man’s democracy is a black man’s dysfunction
* Other articles
* BACKGROUND TO THE LIZARDS REVENGE:
- Background
Lizards Revenge Website: http://lizardsrevenge.net/
WGAR News: "The Lizard's Revenge begins as protesters head to Olympic Dam" The Wire (13 Jul 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/07/13/wgar-news-the-lizards-revenge-begins-...
WGAR News: "Lizard's Revenge kicks off at Olympic Dam - Saturday 14th July [2012]" Antinuclear (16 Jul 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/07/15/wgar-news-lizards-revenge-kicks-off-a...
- Event
Event: 14 to 18 (or 20) July 2012: Olympic Dam, SA
The Lizard's Revenge:
Olympic Dam expansion music/art/festival/protest
"Sleeping underneath the ground there is an old lizard,
Kalta the sleepy lizard. The lizard ain’t so sleepy anymore.
BHP is mining right into that Lizards body. The government
has just approved an expansion of the Olympic Dam uranium
mine, making it the biggest uranium mine in the world.
Kalta is angry and wants revenge.
Arabana elder Kevin Buzzacot is calling the people of the
world to help the lizard shut down the mine. He is calling
for people to come and heal the land in the name of peace
and justice for the next 10,000 generations to come."
Event details: http://indymedia.org.au/the-lizards-revenge-olympic-dam-expansion-musica...
Background: http://londonminingnetwork.org/2011/10/australia-approves-20-30bn-bhp-bi...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/224524544273924
Website: http://lizardsrevenge.net/
Road Trip for Change Tue 3 - Fri 20 July 2012: http://indymedia.org.au/road-trip-for-change-step-outback-and-learn-from...
Invitation from uncle Kevin Buzzacott: http://bhpbillitonwatch.net/2012/06/16/invitation-to-the-lizards-revenge/
* LIZARDS REVENGE MEDIA UPDATES FROM CAMP:
- Media Releases
Lizards Revenge - Arrests are just not cricket
http://lizardsrevenge.net/arrests-are-just-not-cricket/
17 Jul 12: "A light-hearted game of cricket near Roxby Downs was disrupted today at 1:15pm as police moved in to arrest the players, who are camping near the Olympic Dam uranium mine as part of the Lizards Revenge protest festival.
Police and off-duty miners were invited to join the game, but cricketers were instead bowled over by the severity of the police response. About 50 officers, six on horseback, formed a line to push the group from the road and the oval. Musical equipment and props were confiscated, and five players were arrested in the ensuing scuffle - bringing the total number of arrests so far to eleven."
Lizards Revenge: Breakfast not Bombs Media Release - 17.7.2012
http://lizardsrevenge.net/breakfast-not-bombs-media-release-17-7-2012/
17 Jul 12: "Lizards Revenge -6 arrests
Activists call for "Breakfast not Bombs" as police defend what BHPBilliton aims to make the largest uranium mine in the world. At the road blockade set up to control access to the Olympic Dam mine demonstrators set up a breakfast and blockade. Their message, that the uranium from this mine and others like it contributes to the nuclear weapons industry and any expansion to this mine is an increased contribution to the industry.
Here are statements from the picnickers that have blocked the road near the Bypass rd and Olympic way from7am til 9am. 6 people were arrested with what the police describe as various offense "Breakfast not Bombs" crew reported seeing many trucks being turned around during the picnic road block."
Lizards Revenge: Olympic Dam Expansion Great Debate
http://lizardsrevenge.net/olympic-dam-expansion-great-debate/
16 Jul 12: "The Lizards Revenge protest festival is today challenging BHP Billiton to a "Great Debate" on the question: Should the Olympic Dam mine expand?
"After today’s disputes over the festival’s lizard mascot, the focus needs to return to the real issues of the proposed expansion of the mine," said festival co-organiser Izzy Brown.
An invitation has been sent to the President and Chief Operating Officer of Olympic Dam, Dean Dalla Valle asking that he debate Arabunna elder Kevin Buzzacott and representatives of Lizards Revenge on the topic of the expansion."
Lizards Revenge: Lizards Revenge media update from camp
http://lizardsrevenge.net/lizards-revenge-media-update-from-camp/
15 Jul 12: "An estimated 400 people marched to the gates of the Olympic Dam uranium mine today, marking the first day of the Lizards Revenge music and arts festival of resistance.
The overkill of police escorts did not dampen the festival atmosphere, and despite road blocks preventing access to the camp site forcing vehicles to be escorted in by police, the numbers at camp continue to grow.
Organisers estimate that 500 people are camping in the sand dunes at the festival site.
Forty acts are confirmed to perform at the festival, including bands, cabaret and dance. All musicians will be using a solar and wind powered sound system, showcasing alternatives to dirty energy such as coal and uranium."
- Reportback
Indymedia Australia: The Lizard Rises at Olympic Dam - Day One march to the gates of hell
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/07/16/the-lizard-rises-at-olympic-dam-day-o...
16 Jul 12: "After an early visit to the gates on July 12th, the Lizard's Revenge kicked off in earnest on July 14th. As promised the Lizards Revenge took its party to the "Gates of Hell" on July 14th. Hundreds marched to the gates of the mine including Arabunna elder Uncle Kevin Buzzacott. The numbers camping has swelled from a few hundred on the first day to approximately 400-500 campers by day two. ... "We have full authority to be here from senior Kokatha custodians," said Uncle Kevin Buzzacott."
Indymedia Australia: Lizard Rises Day Two - Stand off with police as mutants march
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/07/16/lizard-rises-day-two-stand-off-with-p...
16 Jul 12: "Day two (July 15th) of Lizards Revenge saw the numbers at the camp swell to around 500 people. A "zombie" or "mutant" march occurred as protestors tried to reach the "gates of hell" otherwise known as Olympic Dam. However the march was thwarted by police who would not let the Lizard sculpture (a converted car) with Uncle Kevin Buzzacott in it be pushed within the march. They said it violated the "no vehicle rule". A three hour stand off with police ensued before protestors abandoned attempts to reach the gates for the day."
* VIDEO: UNCLE KEVIN BUZZACOTT DECLARES SOVEREIGNTY
- Video
YouTube: Uncle Kevin Buzzacott declares Sovereignty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qI2QY5qvjN8
15 Jul 12: "Uncle Kevin Buzzacott declares Sovereignty for the Arabunna peoples, past, present and future. This assertion of Sovereignty officially took place on the 13th July 2012."
* AUDIO: THE WIRE - PROTESTERS STAND FIRM AGAINST URANIUM MINING
[FEATURING: UNCLE KEVIN BUZZACOTT]
- Audio
The Wire: Protesters stand firm against uranium mining
Produced by Anokhee Shah
http://www.thewire.org.au/storyDetail.aspx?ID=9369
16 Jul 12: "Hundreds of protesters have gathered at Roxby Downs in South Australia at the Lizard’s Revenge Festival to rally against expansion of the world’s largest uranium mine. Views are divided over expansion of the mine as some say it will bring jobs to the area, while others worry about the long-term environmental impacts.
Featured in story:
* Uncle Kevin Buzzacott - Arabunna elder
* Mark Parnell - Greens MLC
Related Links:
Lizard's Revenge http://lizardsrevenge.net/ "
* LIZARDS REVENGE IN THE MEDIA:
- News
Lizards Revenge: Lizards Revenge in the media
http://lizardsrevenge.net/in-the-media/
"Click here to see media coverage of Lizards Revenge"
* INDYMEDIA: SOLIDARITY DEMO IN LONDON FOR LIZARD'S REVENGE
- News
Indymedia Australia: Solidarity Demo in London for Lizard's Revenge
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/07/16/solidarity-demo-in-london-for-lizards...
16 Jul 12: "Demos at Australian High Commission in London and outside the London headquarters of mining giant BHP Billiton in solidarity with opponents of expansion of Olympic Dam uranium, copper, gold and silver mine in South Australia occurred on July 13th. Groups taking part included Kick Nuclear and London Mining Network."
* BACKGROUND TO EXPANSION OF OLYMPIC DAM MINE CHALLENGE:
Last updated: 16 July 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/13/background-to-expansion-of-olympic-da...
* CHRIS GRAHAM: WHITE MAN'S DEMOCRACY IS A BLACK MAN'S DYSFUNCTION
- Analysis / Opinion
agendaTracker: White man’s democracy is a black man’s dysfunction
http://tracker.org.au/2012/07/white-mans-democracy-is-a-black-mans-dysfu...
16 Jul 12: "NATIONAL: A big part of the reason why Aboriginal people are so disadvantaged is because Aboriginal politics is so factionalised. At least, it is if you ask the average white Australian commentator. I was reminded of this 'white truth about black political life' during a recent event at the National Press Club in Canberra, where Dr Dawn Casey was speaking on the future of Aboriginal economic development. ... " Chris Graham, Walkley Award and Human Rights award winning writer, managing Editor of Tracker
* OTHER ARTICLES:
- Audio
ABC Radio National: Big Ideas: Where to now for Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians?
Producer: Paul Barclay
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/bigideas/2012-07-09/4107582
9 Jul 12: "Early this year an expert panel reported on how Indigenous Australians should be recognised in the nation’s constitution. It was hoped a referendum would be put to the Australian people at, or by, the next federal election. That now seems unlikely. So, where to now for Indigenous recognition? A special Constitution Day panel discussion."
"Guests:
* Alison Page: Executive Officer with the Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance, an award winning designer and cultural planner, member of the "Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
* Father Frank Brennan: Professor of Law at the Australian Catholic University, Adjunct Professor at the ANU College of Law and National Centre for Indigenous Studies,
* Megan Davis: Professor of Law, and Director of the Indigenous Law Centre at the UNSW; expert member of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues; member of the "Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
* Mick Dodson: Professor of Law and Director of the ANU's National Centre for Indigenous Studies.
* James Spigelman: Chairman, ABC Board; former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of NSW."
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About WGAR News:
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/30/about-wgar-news-working-group-for-abo...
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