A First Nations forest protester has asked Tasmania’s Magistrates Court to hold her hearing at the site of a colonial massacre, in what is believed to be a first for the state’s legal system.
Yorta Yorta/Dja Dja Wurrung woman Ruth Langford appeared before Chief Magistrate Catherine Geason in Hobart on Friday, seeking to have her trespass case heard at the Aboriginal Children’s Centre at Risdon Cove.
The site is where British soldiers fired on Aboriginal people in one of Tasmania’s earliest colonial massacres.
Langford, representing herself, faces two counts of trespass and one of failing to comply with an authorised officer over forest protests in early 2025.
She has pleaded not guilty to all three charges.
Outside court, Langford said she was cautiously optimistic. “She’s open to listening to our invitation,” Langford said.
“She understands that as the chief magistrate, there are rules of court that does give her power to actually ensure that our people have the opportunity to give evidence about our identity on our country.”
“Let’s hope that the decision that will be passed down on April the 20th actually is a step in the right direction for justice.”
Magistrate Geason suggested an alternative of allowing defence witnesses to appear via video link from Risdon Cove while the court sits in Hobart.
Langford said that wasn’t her preference. “I’d much rather sit and talk to you in person than through a screen,” she said.
Langford was supported outside court by Nala Mansell and representatives from the Bob Brown Foundation and the Wilderness Society.
A decision is expected on April 20. July 1 and 2 have been provisionally set aside for the hearing if approved.
