This is noncommittal, as you will note (and alittle snitty about my threat to embark on an international campaign---Done, by the way, MRA)---but it is very very good news in the end. We know that the MRA are meeting with the Natioal Museum and Art Gallery next week for further clarification of their appeal to halt the license, and that is another excellent sign that grassroots projects can and do make a difference. We thank everyone involved in signing the petittions, expressing their support, and contacting the MRA directly about the Karawari Caves and the need to protect them. Please rake a look at the Facebook page for Karawari Cave Arts to find more images, updates, and videos from the Namata meeting where we explained the petition and the campaign to the landowners at risk.
First, find below the letter I wrote, with the note from Philip Samar saying 'Toger, let's send someone to check this place out' (no small endeavour, let me tell you):
And these are the letters also attached in their email to me, filed as 'other correspondence.' Thanks to those people who took the time to write letters, substantial letters, in protest against Pristine #18's ELA 2008: Stephen Corry of Survival International, linguist Darja Hoenigman who workes with the neighbouring Kanjimei community, and my dear friend the NYC activist Brad Taylor. These three perspectives, representing a renowned rainforest campaigner, a humanitarian based in the USA, and a Slovenian scholar and stakeholder who explicitly describes some of the reasons why this license should not be permitted (please read them all) reflect the breadth of our support in this effort. We are so grateful.
Well done, Nancy and co.!
Posted by: Emily Richmond | September 18, 2013 at 04:19 AM