Monday November 20

RED ALERT: Protests and arrests continue to try save Tasmania's Wilderness

Three more arrests this morning in the Weld Valley bring total to sixteen.

Early this morning, forest defenders halted logging operations in the wilderness forests of the Weld Valley. Three community members were arrested for trespass in the newly created media and public exclusion zone.

"Today's forest defense continues the success of the last six days where over a hundred community members have been a part of the campaign to ensure the world heritage of the Weld Valley are protected," said Adam Burling, one of the people arrested this morning.

Protests and actions have escalated ever since police raided and busted two blockades in the Weld Valley last Wednesday morning. The iconic pirate ship and Weld Camp have since been bulldozed and burnt by Forestry Tasmania.

"The State Government needs to hear the call of Tasmanians to adequately conserve Tasmania's precious wildlife and high conservation-value forests like those in the Weld Valley,

"While eighty percent of the Weld Valley is protected, the remaining area set for logging has been identified by international experts as having World Heritage value," said Adam Burling, spokesperson for the Huon Valley Environment Centre.

A RED-ALERT has been sent out to forest defenders and more arrests and disruptions to logging operations are predicted. Protesters have vowed to continue their struggle to save Tasmania's old-growth forests.