Action continues in in Weld Valley, Two More Arrests : Melbourne Indymedia

17/11/2006
Action continues in in Weld Valley, Two More Arrests

“Two people were arrested today as community activists continue to oppose
construction of a forestry road into world heritage valued forests. The Camp
Weld blockade, established at the road site for over 14 months, was raided
by 60 police on Wednesday morning. Eight people have now been arrested over
the past three days defending the Weld Valley,” Spokesperson Jess McLachlan
said.

“ One activist was removed from a bulldozer, resulting in a dislocated
shoulder, while a second was tackled by a Forestry Tasmania employee while
attempting to chain himself to machinery. These arrests follow on from the
occupation of the forest by 50 members of the Huon Valley Community
yesterday ,” said Spokesperson Jess McLachlan.

“ Activists reported being physically threatened by forestry employees.
People acting non-violently in defense of world heritage valued forest do
not deserve this treatment,” said Jess McLachlan.

“These further arrests , yesterday's activity, and the stopping of a log
truck in Hobart by sympathetic Tasmanians demonstrate the depth of community
feeling regarding this forest. The Lower Weld Valley has been consistently
recognised as being of importance to the local and international community,
and for Forestry Tasmania to ignore this shows a clear disregard for the
wishes of many Tasmanian's,” said local activist Warrick Jordan

“The Huon Valley Environment Centre calls for an immediate moratorium of all
logging and roading activity in the Lower Weld,” said Jess McLachlan.

Contact
Jess McLachlan 62641286
0431914308