Melanie Barnes is a 26 year old climate change activist who works for an environmental NGO. She has a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Indonesian and political science from the University of Queensland. She has been a leader of Students Against the Pulp Mill protests, Walk Against Warming actions, as well as anti-war, refugee, education and women’s rights campaigns. She is the Hobart organizer of the socialist youth group Resistance. She has also studied in Indonesia and represented Tasmania in an educational solidarity tour of Venezuela.
Showing posts with label Slideshow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Slideshow. Show all posts
August 07, 2010
February 12, 2010
SLIDESHOW Ampilatwatja Aboriginal Walkoff brigade
Unionists and Aboriginal rights activists have done what the government wouldn't in building a house for the remote Aboriginal community of Ampilatwatja.
Over a dozen people have participated in the building of the "protest house"
in a community that, under government legislation, was to receive no new housing despite massive overcrowding.
People will see some Socialist Alliance members there, as well as Paddy Gibson from Solidarity, but there were also members from Unions NT, the CFMEU, the AMWU and many others.
Here's media release on it:
Richard Downs and Alyawarr elders would like to invite Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people to the opening of our protest house at lunchtime, February 14 at Honeymoon bore near Ampilatwatja community.
This is a stand against the federal government Intervention.
The protest house has been build with support of Northern Territory and national trade unions and the general public to show the governments it does
not take over 2 years to build one house.
This is also an opportunity for people of all races to come together in unity against racism and discrimination,
to unite for:
Human rights
Mother Earth
Land rights and not native title
Compensation for the Stolen Generation and return of stolen wages
And against:
Incarceration of our people
Deaths in custody
Climate change.
We want support to stay on our homelands, we do not want to move to the town hubs being created. We say no to lease agreement- our lands are not for sale, lease or to be given away.
We are now joining together as one to stand against the racism and discrimination.
Our people will be having a special opening ceremony to show the governments and public we are still here.
http://www.stoptheintervention.org/ for events in their city.
November 01, 2007
Student Protest Against the Pulp Mill Hobart 1/11/07
Slideshow in large format
STUDENTS OUTRAGED BY GUNNS PULP MILL
600 walk out of school to protest
On Thursday Nov 1, 600 high school and college students walked out of class and gathered at Parliament House Lawns in Hobart to protest against the proposed Gunns pulp mill. The protest was organized by Students Against the Pulp Mill. Speakers included concerned students, as well as Greens Senator Christine Milne, newly elected Hobart deputy mayor Helen Burnett and Socialist Alliance candidate Susan Austin.
Gabby Forward, a rally organizer said, “It’s been a fantastic turnout. It shows that not only are students concerned about the pulp mill, and their future, but that they are willing to act to show how they feel.”
Resistance member and rally organizer Melanie Barnes said, “one of the reasons we are opposed to this pulp mill is because of the contribution it will make towards climate change. This is an issue the federal government hasn’t even assessed yet. Some estimates say that this mill will lead to an extra 10 million tones of CO2 being released into the atmosphere.”
During the rally Premier Paul Lennon was invited by the crowd to come out of Parliament and address everyone, but he did not show.
The crowd all took the pledge read out by Students Against the Pulp mill member Gabby Forward, which said that:
“As the future of Australia
We gather here today
In honour of past campaigns
And to take a stand against corruption and to fight the mill…
As students we say no!”
After the rally, hundreds of students marched along the footpath to ANZ bank to highlight their opposition to ANZ’s financial backing of the mill. Police expressed their anger at protest organizers for leading an unplanned march, but many students who participated said that it was their decision to join the march and it was an important way for them to have their voices heard.
Another student walkout against the pulp mill is being planned for Launceston students next week, Nov 8 at Civic Sq at 1.15pm.
For more information phone Gabby Forward on 0400 917 753 or Melanie Barnes on 0423 978 518
May 25, 2007
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