Three Grassroots Action Network protesters have appeared in the Hobart Magistrates Court today on charges of trespass.
Rohan Swinsburg, Hughie Nicklason and Maya Sini faced trespass charges over the January protest, with the trio set to return to court on October 10.
The activists say they were defending native forests on the western range of Kunanyi/Mt Wellington, responding to a call from Palawa Elder Uncle Jim Everett to protect Country.
They used a tree sit, hammock and monopole structure to defend what they described as a “critical native ecosystem” in one of the last remaining sections of native forest in the area.
“The continued destruction of native forests has direct impacts not only on those landscapes, but also our communities,” said Nicklason.
“This forest was in our drinking water catchment. When it rains out the back of Kunanyi, that water is literally coming out of our taps in the city.”
The activists argue the forest contains giant old trees and threatened species.
“With climate change accelerating and unprecedented ecological collapse on the horizon, the logging of native forests is a dangerous misuse of resources guided by a mindset of domination, exploitation, expansion and separation,” Sini said.
The protest was organised in response to a call from Uncle Jim Everett puralia meenamatta, who earlier this year urged action to stop destruction of Country and honour what he described as “Law in Country.”
The activists have indicated they plan to defend the charges and have their stories heard when they return to court in October.
