Global Climate Change Action

http://www.aboriginaltentembassy.net

Dear friends :-)

... back in Bundy, safe and sound.

Considering we left on a wing and a prayer (with NO funds), we feel a great sense of accomplishment.

My kids (Scott 13, and Natalie, 18) had a wonderful time.

As did our dogs - Lady (a highly active and skittish female six month old rottie/border collie cross) and Chief (a 2 year old blue/border collie cross).
It was very "comfy" in Natalie's little 20 year old toyota hatchback.

Somehow, we made it to Canberra, with only slight doses of heat stroke and physical exhaustion. Nat's little fuel tank (and our hungry tummies) held out on loans from my mother, thank you Mum!

When exhaustion overtook me, Natalie's proud little L Plates carried us safely.... her driving skills have improved a great deal... as has my blood pressure - now that we are home.

We have been honoured in being able to meet some wonderful souls along the way, sharing our message and hearing theirs.

The journey has really FORTIFIED the bonding of unity and love that my family rested upon. Looking back now, the journey was a symbolic and necessary step of "gathering kindling" to add to our growing fire of passionate devotion towards seeing an end to the nuclear industry.

Unknowingly we left without our jack... and the spare tire in the boot was not the right size for the car.... So a flat tire became a major disaster. What looked like an insurmountable hiccup to our mission was easily defeated by caring and highly tallented strangers who stepped up and helped us. See
http://www.simonlondon.com
- Simon and Matty were both happy to sign the petition, and are brilliant muso's.

As always seems to happen to me... something very important was left behind by mistake...
Our beautiful banner!
:-(
Hand painted with loving care over quite a few days and with personal contributions from my neighbours and friends here in Bullyard...
it was put safely to one side whilst loading up the car...
to be placed in a safe place where it could have a small chance of remaining
clean for the journey....
...and was left behind.

Much of our time in Sydney was spent looking for a cheap fabric store (and paints) to make a new banner.
St Vinnie's at Maroubra Junction finally saved the day with a remnant bit of cloth.

After catching up with as many relatives and friends as we could in Sydney with the little time we had left... we hit the road with an hour to spare.

We painted a hasty banner on the bitumen of a carpark somewhere in the City of Canberra and joined the starting point of the rally just in time to film some wonderful and inspirational speakers and some tallented muzos.

It was a REALLY HOT day. The walk to the Tent Embassy via the old parliament house was colourfully bright and bubbly ... despite the heat. There was an obvious lack of media attention :-(

The Police presence was "abundant, friendly and polite". I think they enjoyed themselves as much as we did to be honest!

I didn't have any letters handy on the actual march, but i am sure most of them would have signed!

Looking back at the video footage...
I would say that there would have been
approximately 1000 individuals who marched in peace and solidarity, perhaps more?

Skin colour, nationality and age was irrelevant....
we marched together for the same reasons in solidarity and unity. We chanted together in loud, strong voices:
"going on a peace walk...
going on a peace walk...
going on a peace walk...
ALL THE WAY TO THE TENT EMBASSY!!!!"

I grabbed a quick hug from Benny Zable on the way.... ;-)
He looked stunning (as usual)!

Aboriginal Elders with the sacred fire led the march to its conclusion at the Tent Embassy.
The sacred fire was lit.
We added green leaves... and the sacred smoke engulfed us all.
We listened to the wisdom of the elders.

We were blessed to have been there.

One of the activists alerted us to the fact that Hurley was going to be charged with manslaughter for the murder of Mulrunji in the Palm Island
watchhouse...

Our united spirits were lifted high together with such wonderful news!

JUSTICE FOR MULRUNJI!!!!!!!!!!

I left many hundreds of letters for sustainable energy supplies behind for activists to sign. I also left a few hundred fliers on nuclear issues from various organisations.

Later we listened to stories and speaches from the Elders. I was so greatly moved that my tears flowed very freely, I was not alone. My tears continue to flow...

It will take some time for me to "come back to the earth"...

Love to all...
Anne, Natalie and Scott