3rd March 2006

MEDIA RELEASE

Intimidation in the Forest Continues
Another threat of violence against Weld Camp

Community Activists at Weld Camp, Southern Tasmania, have again faced intimidation by forestry workers. The fourth threatening attack in 6 months, occurred when community activists were today locked in 10km behind a gate. A Forestry Tasmania padlock was placed on the gate and obscene graffiti was written on the gate.

"We are very concerned about the continued threats being made to the people living at Weld Camp. The grafitti said, "I'm gonna get ya greenies". The use of a Forestry Tasmania padlock leads us to believe that people given permission by forestry to gain access to keys, may be involved," Huon Valley Environment Centre Spokesperson Jenny Weber said.

Forestry Tasmania have been notified. "Forestry Tasmania are responsible for giving out these keys, they must act to stop pro logging vigilantes from intimidating peaceful activists in the forest. We demand Forestry Tasmania act to prevent people using their property to threaten the safety of activists at Camp Weld," Jenny Weber said.

Previous violent attacks perpetrated against community activists have involved firing gun shots nearby camp, smashing an activists car and dragging it for a couple of kilometres.

Community Activists have been at Camp Weld for 6 months, preventing the development of a new logging road in to World Heritage Forest in the Weld Valley, Southern Tasmania.

Contact Jenny Weber
0427 366 929