YES! We’re still against a Nuclear Waste Dump and we want to demonstrate that there is a large section of the community, people from all walks of life, who still care about this issue.
Are you interested in contributing to the work of putting on a ‘no dump’ rally? Regular fortnightly meetings for this group will commence this Monday 27th September at 5:30-7pm at The Joinery. (more…)
It was with great sorrow that Friends of the Earth learnt of the passing of Yami Lester in July. Yankunytjatjara Elder, atomic test survivor, Aboriginal rights activist, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Yami’s voice and support will be sorely missed.
Many Friends of the Earth anti-nuclear campaigners got to meet Yami over the decades. On occasions we would stay with him at Wallatina ? in the far north of SA ? as part of our Radioactive Exposure Tours or on our way to Australian Nuclear Free Alliance meetings in Alice Springs. The last time some of us got to visit Yami at Wallatina was in September 2016 ? we were working with Aboriginal communities to stop the SA government’s plan to dump the world’s high-level nuclear waste on Aboriginal land to improve the state’s economy.
Yami lost his sight as a result of one of the British atomic bomb tests in SA in 1953. Speaking on ABC radio in 2011, he said: “I was a kid. I got up early in the morning, about 7:00am, playing with a homemade toy. We heard the big bomb went off that morning, a loud noise and the ground shook. I don’t know how long after we seen this quiet black smoke ? oily and shiny ? coming across from the south. Next time we had sore eyes, skin rash, diarrhea and vomiting everybody, old people too.”
Along with Maralinga veteran Avon Hudson, Yami was responsible for the formation of a Royal Commission in the 1980s that shone a light on the atomic crimes of the British government, the spinelessness and culpability of state and federal governments, and the ugly racism that pervaded everything to do with the atomic bomb tests.
As a young man, Yami joined the Aboriginal Advancement League in Adelaide. He was also central to the work of the Pitjantjatjara Council that led to the grant of freehold title to traditional owners in SA.
His children have taken up the call for his lifelong battle for justice. His eldest daughter, Karina Lester, recently travelled to New York for UN negotiations on a treaty to ban nuclear weapons. The treaty recognises the disproportionate impact of nuclear weapons on Indigenous peoples around the world, and has provisions for assistance and reparations for those affected.
Yami’s warmth, kindness, generosity and resolve inspired so many Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, and as Tjamu (grandfather) and Katja (great-grandfather) “he will be forever remembered by his loved ones, his extended family, community and by so many”, a statement from his family said. “Yami leaves an incredible legacy of better global understanding of the devastation of nuclear bombs and for the ongoing battle for recognition of the consequence of them on the rights and interests of Anangu.”
When the No Dump Alliance formed in May 2016, to oppose plans for an international high-level nuclear waste dump in SA, Yami became the ambassador for the Alliance and, together with his daughters Karina and Rose, spoke loud and strong against nuclear waste dumping in SA.
Yami said: “In 1953, I was just ten years old when the bombs went off at Emu and Maralinga, I didn’t know anything about nuclear issues back then, none of us knew what was happening. I got sick and went blind from the Totem 1 fallout from those tests, and lots of our people got sick and died also.
“Now I’m 74 years old and I know about nuclear issues. Members from the APY, Maralinga-Tjarutja and Arabunna, Kokatha lands say we don’t want nuclear waste on our land. There are big concerns. And I worry because I know it is not safe for South Australia land and the people. Why does the Government keep bringing back nuclear issues when we know the problems last forever?
“It means a lot to me to be in this Alliance. I would like others to listen and join, become a member and fight together.”
Yami Lester, Wallatinna Station (Jessie Boylan)
An invitation from the No Dump Alliance
Dear nuclear-free friends,
You are invited to an event not to be missed!
‘We Say No!’ Saturday August 19, 2017 at 2pm
Waterside Workers Hall, Port Adelaide
Join us for courageous and inspiring stories of and from people on the front line, learn the history of community resistance and how together we can keep our state free from nuclear waste.
Local and interstate speakers will include:
and speakers from the Kimba region.
Also on show will be some new and historical footage, highlights from the Talking Straight Out exhibition, and useful info to help us win this current fight.
Afterwards, please join us for a BBQ and some music in honour of the late Yami Lester.
Saturday, August 19, 2017 at 02:00 PM
Waterside Workers Hall in Port Adelaide, Australia
Join the Australian Red Cross SA IHL Collective to mark the 72nd anniversary of the detonation of an atomic bomb over Hiroshima, Japan. We invite the community to come together to remember the victims of this attack and to highlight the devastating humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons.
After the recent historic adoption of Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons Treaty, add your message of hope for a world free of nuclear weapons to our paper crane and lantern peace sign; listen to guest speakers and performers as we reflect on the need to continue to fight for an end to nuclear weapons.
For more information, email pball@redcross.org.au
Sun, August 6, 2017
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Elder Park, King William St
Details here
This Thursday night 20 July the film ‘ Protecting Country’ will be screened at the Joinery at 7.30pm, 111 Franklin St Adelaide
Come along and spread the word!
From the film makers:
Alexander Hayes & Magali McDuffie from Ngikalikarra Media are bringing the ‘Protecting Country’ 35 minute documentary film to the Joinery, 111 Franklin St, Adelaide SA 5000. The film features many well known Aboriginal Elders and leaders from South Australia who provide their account of how important it is for all Australian’s to protect country from past, present and planned uranium mining and nuclear dump activities.
Contributors featuring in this film include Karina Lester, Bruce Hammond, Regina McKenzie, Tauto Sansbury, Vince Coulthard, Sharpie Coulthard, Ty Butler, James Butler, Clarrie Coulthard, Stephen Atkinson and Steven Harrison.
fb event HERE.
*Gold Coin Donation*