Car Smashed, Weld Camp Attacked

MEDIA RELEASE

5th February 2006

A group of men claiming to be logging contractors intimidated activists and smashed a car at Camp Weld in the Lower Weld Valley, Southern Tasmania, last night.

This is the second incident in which pro-logging vigilantes, with keys only available from Forestry Tasmania, have harassed and intimidated activists at Camp Weld. A shooting incident was reported to police late last year.

"Camp Weld is here to publicise to the world the immediate threats to World Heritage forests in the Lower Weld Valley. We are conducting a peaceful, non-violent protest, defending a place that has been recognised by international experts as deserving protection. It concerns us to be visited and have our vehicle smashed in the darkness of the night by people with keys only available from Forestry Tasmania," Jess McLachlan said.

"The people that destroyed our car obviously had a key to the gate that is currently closed on our access road. They have used this ACCESS to intimidate us and destroy our property," spokesperson Jess McLachlan said.

"We asked for the gate to remain open because the last time it was locked we were victims of harassment. We are demanding that Forestry Tasmania review logging contractor's key access and suspend access to anyone involved in this incident," Jess McLachlan said.

"Forestry Tasmania are responsible for handing out these keys. They must act to stop violent vigilante groups damaging private property and intimidating peaceful activists camped in the forest."

The incident has been reported to Tasmanian Police and Forestry Tasmania.

Contact
Jess McLachlan 0420 100 550
Jenny Weber 0427 366 929