A crowd of supporters has gathered at Lismore Courthouse today to support local engineer Andrew George as he faces court for his nonviolent action in halting forestry operations in Doubleduke State forest last month.
Mr George intends to plead guilty to charges related to a nonviolent protest in Doubleduke State Forest on February 6, which is part of a wider NSW campaign to halt all public forest logging.
Mr George engaged in an act of nonviolent civil disobedience by sitting in a tree-sit in Doubleduke State Forest for five hours.
Four forestry regulation 2022 charges
He was apprehended and charged with four forestry regulation 2022 charges, including: interfering with timber harvesting equipment’ carrying on activity in a forestry area that poses a risk to safety’ entering a forestry area without permission if prohibited by a displayed notice, and; contravening direction to leave a forestry area given by an authorized officer.
In a statement before his court appearance George said climate disruption is no longer vague or in the future. ‘It is here in Lismore and I have seen the impacts and consequences on my friends and this community.
‘The major flooding events of 2022 led to the displacement of thousands of people, the pollution of ecosystems and the destruction of infrastructure and property, trauma, and death.
Link between healthy ecosystems and climate is clear
‘The link between healthy ecosystems and a safe and stable climate is clear. This means that protecting our forests is intricately connected with protecting the people of Lismore, and the world.’
A spokesperson for the Save Banyabba Koalas group Sean O’Shannessy said the charges against Andrew George represent a desperate attempt by NSW Government’s Forest Corp to suppress the rising tide of dissent against their ecocidal practices in our public native forests. ‘Over the past few months hundreds of courageous citizens have taken part in actions in NE NSW to stop the destruction of our precious forests.
‘The climate and biodiversity crises demand swift and decisive action for our ecosystems. Since the NSW government refuses to do its duty we are fortunate to have dedicated individuals like Andrew George standing up for our community’s needs.
‘The justice system should turn its attention to arresting the criminal vandalism of the lungs of our planet, not criminalising free speech and assembly,’ sad Mr O’Shannessy.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
