| Dear Neville,
On Tuesday I did something I’ve never done before. I got arrested, with my dad, after locking myself to a water pump that has been taking water from the Namoi River to construct the Maules Creek coal mine, near Narrabri.
I did it because my responsibility as an Australian singer songwriter is to Sing Up the land and its people.
My father was born and spent his early years here in a house that my grandfather built with his father on the very bend of the Namoi River where that water pump is now taking an unfair share of water for the Maules Creek mine.
I’m asking you now if you are willing to answer the call, like my father and I did, and head out to support the community at Maules Creek?
From 13-18 February, people will join the “Bat Attack” from around New South Wales, adding their voice to the hundreds that have already been part of the historic defense of Maules Creek and Leard forest from the Maules Creek coal mine, including me and my dad.
I think about our forefathers’ defining ANZAC spirit and courage as they answered the call to join and help their mates already over the other side of the world fighting for their lives. One hundred years on, the call for help and for backup is coming now from our own mates and family members, whose livelihoods are being threatened in our own back yard, on our own Australian soil.
Will you answer the call?
You can see my full statement about why I took action at Maules Creek here.
Thanks,
Luke O’Shea |
