OVER 150 WOMEN House in Cardiff last week for the first area meeting of women's support committees in the South Wales coalfield. Representatives from 12 groups from the South Wales valleys, as well as some from as far away as Reading, met with Greenham women to share their experiences and coordinate activities.
All agreed that the role of women in the strike extended beyond the provision food and funds though the extent of NUM the activities varied from area to area.
Some lodges have recognised the central role of women in the strike and have supported aululllmobilisations of 110U5 women Others have not. Ull picket lines.
Cardiff women's support group An committee delegates has been set up to coordinate action and put pressure on the NUM support tions. The first women's picket will take place soon in South Wales; and there is a women's raily at Abertillery on 27 JuEarlier links between women in the mining communities Greenham women have been Sene neneu. suggestion of march from one of the valley pits to a nuclear power station has received uleiaicus support.
Women for Life on Earth organise the three or four dav event. including child care and transport. march will accentuate the Tories' wasteful descended on Transport dangerous energy policy which provides plutonium for Thatcher's nuclear war drive threatens destroy the mining communities.
arier marching aow] the valleys to Cardiff of the SollC niCilOCS seamen's union will ferry WUnCI aUss the River Seven from Barry: Such a march will gain widespred support in South Wales snowing the miners determination to win this fight to the benefit of the whole labour movement.
The lessons of Greenham are being put to good use in South Wales elsewhere.
Organising pickets raised the question police brutality. Women have no illusions aboul lne extent lo walca they will try to crush our actions. And we have no illusions that by combined effort, we will ensure they don't succeed.
One supoort groun has already accepted the offer of the Greenham wuliici lo noia non-violent airecı action workshops in their communy Women left the area meeting of support groups with more strength determination SCCUIC their role at the front of the miners ane. to win victory for us all with a call for support from all women, inside and outside the mining communities.