Actions for May

During this month of May let us take time to recall the plight of those who have experienced slavery and exploitation in Australia. From the 1860s thousands of Pacific Islanders were brought to Australia to work on plantations in Queensland on cotton or sugar plantations, often by force or trickery. The practice became known as blackbirding. The impact of the experiences these people suffered has lasted for generations. In our current time we are called upon to make ethical consumer choices. We can help make slavery a thing of the past by refusing to purchase goods tainted by slavery. Celebrate Fairtrade Day on 13th May by ensuring your parish/school/ workplace staffroom serves only ethically sourced tea, coffee and chocolate.