Australia: Direct action continues to make it’s point in Victoria’s E. Gippsland?

Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) says anti-logging
protesters in East Gippsland, in south-east Victoria, are becoming
increasingly reckless. Concerns have also been raised about DSE and
VicForests’ firefighting personnel being distracted by the protests.
David Tainsh from the DSE says protesters have suspended large
branches known as ‘widow makers’ underneath tree sit platforms to stop
police removing them. He says protesters who use the booby traps will
face more serious charges once they are removed from the coup.

“In
particular this week the two tree sitters concerned did eventually
come down and the police have charged them not only with the normal
charge of failing to leave a designated public safety zone, but also
perhaps for causing reckless conduct endangering serious injury which
is probably the trend we’re really worried about,” he said. Jill
Redwood from Environment East Gippsland says the protesters have tied
branches underneath tree-sit platforms, but they do not pose any
safety risk. She says the branches are designed to stop search and
rescue police from climbing the trees to remove protesters. “The spin
doctors are working overtime on this, they’re not widow makers,
they’re obstructions, to stop people from climbing up and taking down
people who are sitting in the tree sit platforms trying to prevent
work in these areas for obvious reasons,” she said. And at least 10
forest protesters are due in court tomorrow, charged with offences
under the Safety on Public Land Act. They are being prosecuted by the
DSE. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/21/2471083.htm