Conservationists who were assaulted by logging contractors in the Upper Florentine valley last October will appear as witnesses today in Hobart Magistrates court. Miranda Gibson, 28, of Hobart and Nishant Datt, 23 of Lucaston were assaulted by logging contractors at a protest against logging of a contentious old growth area. The incident was captured on camera and images made headlines across the nation.
“"Whatever the verdict is today, it will not resolve the on-going conflict over Tasmania's forests. What we really need is for the State Government and Gunns to take responsibility for healing the divide in the Tasmanian community. We need a solution that adequately protects high conservation value forests while also addressing the needs of logging communities by providing a genuine sustainable forest industry." Said Miranda Gibson.
“Direct action protests are last ditch efforts to stop the decimation of ancient forests; after all other campaign avenues have been exhausted. The State Government has the capacity to solve the conflict over old growth logging by making use of existing plantations; however they continue to divide our community, and liquidate what remains of unprotected ancient forests.” Said Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson Ed Hill.
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