MEDIA RELEASE
28.04.2008 , 2:40pm.

Four Arrests at Little Denison Blockade. Activists Threatened with Pepper Spray by Police.

Four forest defenders have been arrested at a forest blockade in the Little Denison Valley, 35 km west of Huonville. One activist remains in a tree sit, preventing logging operations.

"Local police, without warning, arrested three activists as they were preparing to leave the forest blockade. As the activists attempted to leave, they were threatened with pepper spray and pushed into a police car. A Lucaston woman was also arrested after being removed from logging machinery," Huon Valley Environment Centre Spokesperson Warrick Jordan said.

"Forest defenders engaged in legitimate, peaceful protest do no deserve this treatment. Yesterday, 60 community members attended a protest in the ancient forest being logged. Forest defenders are proud representatives of those Tasmanians who see the wilful destruction of old growth forest as a heinous crime. The Tasmanian community will continue to exercise their right to defend ancient forests, and will not be cowed by intimidation from Tasmanian Police, the state government, or anyone else," Warrick Jordan said.

"The destruction and woodchipping of precious remaining ancient forests, such as this forest in the Little Denison Valley, is the real crime. We call on the Federal government to immediately end the logging of old growth forest in Tasmania," Warrick Jordan said.