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Last Sunday the Huon Valley Environment Centre held an Open Day to threatened forests in the Little Denison Valley, just behind Lonnavale. It was an eye opening day for many to see such magnificent high-density old-growth forests being logged, as well as getting to take a lovely walk down to the Little Denison River close by. Giant puppets of Environment Minister Peter Garret, Climate Change Minister Penny Wong & Prime Minister Kevin Rudd got a chance to visit the area
too! (Check out the photos on www.huon.org that will be online by Wednesday). For more information on the Open Day check out the media release at the bottom of this email.
The night of the Open Day 20 activists stayed out in the forest to halt the logging and highlight to the public what is happening to our precious natural heritage. On Monday morning three activists who were leaving the site were arrested before being given a fair opportunity to leave, as well a woman who was locked onto logging machinery. This morning (Tuesday) a man was arrested after being brought down from a 50 metre tree platform in the logging coupe. Please check out the
media releases below for more information, and check www.huon.org for photos in the next couple of days.

The Mercury article:

Protestors blockade forest
Article from: AAP
April 28, 2008 10:15am

Twenty protesters have halted logging in an old-growth forest south-west of Huonville.
One activist is sitting in a tree 30 metres above the ground, while another protester is chained to logging machinery at the forest in the Little Denison Valley, 35 kilometres west of Huonville, a spokesman for the group said.

Huon Valley Environment Centre spokesman Warrick Jordan told AAP some logging contractors left the site this morning when faced with the protest

"The local community is determined to stop this logging operation,'' he said.

"People are sick and tired of seeing these last remaining areas of forests destroyed to line the pockets of Gunns Limited and Japanese paper companies,'' he said.

Mr Jordan accused the state and federal governments of cosying up to the woodchipping industry.

He said he expected protesters would remain at the site for the rest of the day.

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.

Media Release
29.04.2008

Another activist arrested at Little Denison Blockade

This morning a fifth forest defender was arrested at a blockade in old growth forest in the Little Denison Valley.

" At 1130am police removed an activist from the blockade in the Little Denison Valley, 35 kilometres west of Huonville. The activist had occupied a tree sit attached to logging machinery, preventing the destruction of old growth forest," Huon Valley Environment Centre spokesperson Warrick Jordan said.

" Over 80 people have been involved in three consecutive days of peaceful direct action. This forest is the last remaining stand of old growth Eucalyptus regnans forest in the area. Figures regarding the percentage of old growth protected statewide are irrelevant when local communities are seeing the last old growth forests in their backyards destroyed. " Warrick Jordan said.

"The majority of tall eucalypt old growth forest in Tasmania is still accessible to the woodchip industry. We call on the federal government to immediately protect these world unique, carbon rich forests," Warrick Jordan said

"Peaceful direct action to prevent logging operations will continue in the Little Denison Valley, and in other ancient forests in Southern Tasmania," Warrick Jordan said.

Media Release
28th April 2008.
Huon Valley Environment Centre

Activists Blockade Old Growth Forest, Target ALP Forest Policy

This morning, 20 community members halted logging operations in old growth forest in the Little Denison Valley, 35 kilometres west of Huonville. An activist is suspended in a tree-sit 30 metres above the ground, blocking road access to the forest, while another is attached to logging machinery.

"Yesterday, 60 community members attended a protest in this forest. The local community is determined to stop this logging operation. People are sick and tired of seeing these last remaining areas of forests destroyed to line the pockets of Gunns Limited and Japanese paper companies," said Huon Valley Environment Centre Spokesperson Warrick Jordan.

"It became apparent long ago that our State Government would rather help out their mates at Gunns Limited than listen to the wishes of Tasmanian communities. Federal Labor has succumbed to the same malaise," Warrick Jordan said

"Kevin Rudd, Peter Garrett, Julie Collins, Duncan Kerr – all have confirmed the unequivocal support of the federal ALP for the Regional Forest Agreement and the woodchipping status quo. It appears the mantra of federal Labor is 'All the way with RFA' ," Warrick Jordan said.

"It may seem an easy option to cosy up to the woodchippers rather than listen to the legitimate concerns of the community. What is certain, however, is that community opposition to the barbaric acts occurring in our forests will continue," Warrick Jordan said.

"To claim greenie points on climate change while simultaneously encouraging the degradation of invaluable carbon sinks is pure hypocrisy. If the ALP wants environmental credibility, the first step is the protection of Tasmania's last remaining tall eucalypt old growth forests," Warrick Jordan said.