Solidarity in Australia with the Indigenous peoples of the Black Mesa
by Wakeup Shakeup Tuesday October 17, 2006 at 12:29 PM

Around 30 people descended upon Peabody’s office in Newcastle today in protest against Peabody’s practices of Cultural and Eco Genocide on the homelands of the Navajo and Hopi peoples in America and their interest in doing the same on Australian Lands. Members of the United Nations of South-Pacific and people from over 5 different countries including the Hunter Valley occupied the office to demand that the continued disregard of cultural and environmental heritage end and companies such as Peabody Coal cease practices which jeopardize the future of the planet.

Solidarity in Australia with the Indigenous peoples of the Black Mesa



Monday, October 16 2006


Solidarity in Australia with the Indigenous peoples of the Black Mesa
End the Genocide!

9/10/06

Around 30 people descended upon Peabody’s office in Newcastle today in protest against Peabody’s practices of Cultural and Eco Genocide on the homelands of the Navajo and Hopi peoples in America and their interest in doing the same on Australian Lands.

Members of the United Nations of South-Pacific and people from over 5 different countries including the Hunter Valley occupied the office to demand that the continued disregard of cultural and environmental heritage end and companies such as Peabody Coal cease practices which jeopardize the future of the planet.

“Climate change now is a global issue and the global community must now act to protect what is left of our precious environment. These coal companies have no place in our future the way they desecrate the earth and our sacred homelands” said Arthur Ridgeway who is a traditional owner of the Pambalong area that now makes up Newcastle.

The group presented Peabody with a signed petition which demanded an end to the continual displacement of the Traditional owners of Dinetah, where the current Peabody operated coal mine in South West America has so far forcefully evicted over 15000 people from there land. The group also demanded an end to the desecration of buriel grounds, sacred sites, precious flora and fauna which make up the Bio-region, and an end to the expansion of Coal Mining in America, Australia and all over the world due to its climate change impacts.
The group also demanded Peabody cancel there bid on Excel Coal which is an Australian Coal company they are trying to merge with. “Peabody’s practices in America have shown that they have no regard for the earth their and they will do the same here. We will not let the desecration of indigenous cultures continue, here in Australia or overseas.” Arthur said.

The action was very peaceful and the group of protesters left once the letter was promised to be sent to Peabody Head office in America and to be replied to the group demands. The action received newspaper, radio and television media.

Office occupation movie clip & photos at: http://arizona.indymedia.org/news/2006/10/51018.php

arizona.indymedia.org/news/2006/10/51018.php

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