Protests, arrests and agression in Tassie's forests : Melbourne Indymedia

During yesterday's two non-violent actions in the Florentine and Weld valley, one forest defender was threatened with sexual assault and two others were endangered when unsafe work practices were used, interfering with their tree-sits.

"The police and logger's attitude to forest defenders were clearly stated yesterday by a Forestry Tasmania employee, who said that protestors have to expect their lives to be endangered if they want to protect the forests," said Huon Valley Environment Centre Jenny Weber

"One forest defender in the Weld Valley was locked on to a piece of machinery for eight hours. During that time loggers threatened to sexual assault him, pouring honey near him to attract March Flies, stink bombs were also thrown at him, the machine he was attached to was started. Another two protestors, had their lives threatened when ropes connected to a tree sit, in the Florentine were cut, and in the Weld Valley machinery was moved,” said Jenny Weber

"Not only is Forestry Tasmania allowing these illegal operations to occur in the world heritage valued forests of the Weld valley and Florentine, but they are also allowing a culture of violence and intimidation to occur against peaceful protestors," said Jenny Weber

“Activists never have and never will endanger the safety of contractors or police. Baseless claims made by the forest industry front groups, are simply an attempt to distract from the illegal destruction of Tasmania’s forests, and contractors own behavior,” Jenny Weber said.

What about the danger caused by protestors lighting a fire among the log heaps. Tassie is in its worst bushfire season in a lot of years and these protestors put not only the contractors and police in danger from this threat but also their own if a spark takes hold nearby and with the current wind we are experiencing it wouldn't take much to start one. Then instead of their slogan to save the weld they can then have a new one saying WE TORCHED THE WELD.

From the Fire Tas website:
" During the Fire Permit Period, fires are not banned but conditions are placed on the use of certain fires in the open."
"You do not need a permit for barbecues, campfires or incinerators provided you comply with the general conditions associated with their use. "
The fire was within the 1x1m limit set, was in the middle of the road, and the forest is actually quite wet. Funny about that - forests like in the lower Weld retain a lot of water.