Way back at the very beginning of the pulp mill saga, I remember asking my neighbour: “Do you really think we have a chance to win against Gunn’s and the Government?”
It seemed back then that the powers of Government and big business were far too powerful for us to stand a chance to win this battle.
But look at where we are now! This mill would already be built and operating, if we hadn’t joined forces to fight it, and we need to step back and congratulate ourselves for all the hard work done so far.
However, it’s not over yet, the battle continues.
I’d like to step away from the facts and figures that prove that it is madness to build one of the world’s largest pulp mills in the Tamar Valley and speak from a different perspective; from perhaps a more visceral reaction which comes from living within the “sacrificial zone”.
This mill has dominated my life every day these past few years, in both my waking hours as well as my sleeping! And I believe the mill is a symptom of some far greater disease that afflicts this island: a disease with cancerous tentacles which reach way into our wilderness and to the heart of our democracy; and I am motivated to try to heal this disease on four levels.
Firstly, on a very personal level, I am motivated to protect the health of my family from the effects of fugitive emissions, wood smoke and incessant noise from the mill; to fight for the existence of our truly clean, green business of growing certified organic walnuts 2 kms from the mill site; to prevent severe property devaluation within the sacrificial zone; and to preserve some fragile sense of safety on our roads which would be threatened by increased traffic from log trucks feeding the mill.
Secondly, I have a sense of duty of care for our community as well as for future generations; and a responsibility to protect the wild creatures and our forests; our oceans, rivers and clean air.
Thirdly, I am motivated by a strong sense of commitment to preserve the planet and do all I can to prevent catastrophic climate change, to help preserve this wonderful life as we know it; for if this mill goes ahead it will contribute heavily to climate change with its emissions as well as its devastation of our forests.
Fourthly, I am motivated by an element not often spoken about, and that is the spiritual element. I believe there is a spiritual imperative that we protect our environment, to protect our earth. Whether we see the Earth as God’s creation or it having an inherent spiritual force of its own; for me, part of my own spiritual growth is intricately linked to preserving this planet, protecting this island, and protecting the mighty river on whose banks I live, and which for me has become a sacred river which helps to cleanse me of my fears.
Some time ago, when I was in the depths of darkness and despair I had a dream. In this dream I was in a dark place and I was preparing to confront the powerful and destructive Patriarchal forces which were in support of the mill. A woman was with me and she was saying, “NO, don’t do it! They are too powerful, it is too dangerous to do this!” But, despite my fear, I had to leave this dark place and confront these forces. When I awoke I knew that despite the strength of the power of the Patriarchy that has a stranglehold on this island, I would find the courage to stand up and fight for truth and justice.
After the most recent action we did outside Parliament House I reflected on the courage of the 56 other people who were arrested with me, and the courage I was feeling in my own heart: the courage to be a Warrior of Peace, the courage to challenge the authorities.
But rather than it being a courage fuelled by anger and frustration, the courage I feel is fed and strengthened by love: by a deep love for the valley and its powerful river; a deep love for the people who live here; a deep love for this amazingly beautiful and wild island; and a deep love for this Earth. To act through the humility of love is powerful, but takes great courage in the face of arrogance, rage, hubris and greed.
Before we marched onto the steps of Parliament House I had another significant dream. In this dream I was standing with a small group of people and our dear former premier Paul Lennon walked past! I stood tall and shouted, “CORRUPTION!” and he turned to look at me. I shrunk away, afraid. He walked towards me and everyone was afraid for he represented an evil tyrant. A few others called out softly, “Corruption!” but he oppressed us with his presence. I stood up again and shouted, “CORRUPTION!”
We must continue to speak out loud against this corruption, against this unjust governance which seeks to take away our voices; to strip us of our legal rights; to push through projects that benefit a few while being opposed by the majority who want a Tasmania which is truly clean and green instead of being a toxic totalitarian state.
And if this political, environmental and social injustice can only be defeated by breaking the law, then we will continue to break the law to be heard, to re-form the law, to bring about a kind of revolution.
For what use are laws if they no longer protect life and protect the people?
What madness there is when the legal, political and economic structures of our society support the destruction of that which gives us life!
I believe that this revolution, this new birthing process happening in Tasmania, needs us to challenge the unjust laws and corrupt structures, to challenge this insanity because if we don’t, things will only get worse.
History shows that words alone are not enough. As a dancer I understand the power of the language of the body, and I believe we’ve got to use our bodies, place our bodies peacefully on the line and stand up to be counted as a community committed to change: to stop this mill for all time and to create a sustainable future for our beloved island.
We need hundreds of people, thousands of people prepared to be part of peaceful civil disobedience to send a very clear message to joint venture partners and financiers of the mill that we simply will NOT allow it to be built; and a clear message to the power holders that the people want a change to the present situation to create a better future for our children, and a chance to heal the rift within our community that current practices have created.
PULPTHE MILL – WE CAN – WE WILL!
www.pulpthemill.org
Image: ABC
