Children, grandmothers arrested at forest protests

Yesterday’s multi-pronged, multi-generational action to stop native forest logging in NSW led to the arrest of six people between the ages of 17 and 76. 

The protests and lockons took place at Orara East State Forest in Coffs Harbour and Boambee State Forest a few kilometres away.

‘About 6.20am (Tuesday 4 July 2023), officers attached to Coffs Clarence Police District, along with specialist police rescue resources, attended Coramba Road, Karangi, in relation to unauthorised protest activity,’ said a police statement to the media last night. 

‘Police spoke to a group of people, with a portion of those allegedly securing themselves to machinery and a cement-filled barrel.

‘Three 17-year-olds – one female and two males – were arrested at the scene after being freed by Police Rescue Officers.’

Parents told The Echo that the three children were arrested and taken to the police station and held for around five hours. 

‘I want to be extremely clear. None of the parents encouraged the children, in fact quite the contrary – I as a parent cautioned against the action because of my concern for my child’s wellbeing,’ on parent, Paul Healy, told The Echo, 

‘But these are 17 year-olds that are making decisions about their lives. So all I could do, in the end, was stand by and try to support them.’ 

Parents were not allowed to be with their children while they were in custody, however, the children were represented by legal aid.

Speaking to what brought the kids to the point of active protest, one parent said that ‘they are young adults who have seen an industrial scale logging operation come into their backyard which is destroying their local forests. They understand that we need wood, but they don’t see this as the way to achieve that end.’

In a media release by Bellingen Activist Network (BAN) on the protest April, one of the 17-year-olds said, ‘I am making a sacrifice by pausing my HSC studies and risking my future to protest against the logging of native habitat, particularly this forest next to my home. This forest holds a special place in my heart, and I refuse to stand idly by as Forestry Corp destroys the cherished memories I associate with it. It’s high time the NSW government recognises the urgent need to halt deforestation of native habitats and protect the natural treasures on Gumbaynggirr land.’

Jimmy and Mason who were also arrested, highlighted the destructive impact of native forestry logging on endangered and threatened flora and fauna, and ecosystems.

‘Time is running out and we must fight to protect critical habitat like Orara East State Forest,’ said Jimmy. 

‘The rate at which our government is auctioning off natural forests is frightening, and I feel powerless to do anything about it. We’ve tried protesting, and we can’t vote, which is why we feel driven to take this action against these machines ripping our trees down. The government can stop this and we just need them to take notice,’ said Mason on behalf of himself and his 14-year-old brother. 

Mother arrested

One parent, a ‘49-year-old woman was charged with fail to comply with lawful direction of police officer, and hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty,’ stated the police. However, others at the scene said she was only attempting to speak to her child while he was in the paddy wagon and some expressed concerns at the aggressive behaviour of the police during her arrest. 

The mother ‘was granted strict conditional bail to appear before Coffs Harbour Local Court on Wednesday 9 August 2023,’ stated the police. 

Grandmothers in action

While the kids were locking on in Orara East State Forest two grandmothers aged 74 and 76 took action at the nearby Boambee State Forest and were also arrested. 

‘About 7am (Tuesday 4 July 2023), officers attended Englands Road, Boambee, in relation to reports of further unauthorised protest activity,’ stated the police.

‘Police spoke with two women, aged 74 and 76, who had allegedly secured themselves to machinery.’

‘I don’t know what else I can do,’ said 74-year-old Chris from Coffs Harbour in a statement put out by BAN about the action. 

‘I’ve run out of ideas but I haven’t run out of steam – I am steaming mad. I’ve written so many letters to politicians, I’ve demonstrated in the streets, I’ve handed out leaflets about the dire situations up here. I’ve joined and donated to conservation organisations, I’ve signed a myriad of petitions, I’ve lobbied local government,’ she said, calling for a ban on native forestry logging.

76-year-old Susan from Valla said, ‘I am protesting against our government’s total lack of care for the environment, its flora and fauna, its people and our precious planet. Day by day they are unnecessarily destroying our forests, our land, our precious creatures, everything I hold dear. I am unbelievably sad to think of what the grandchildren and those to come will inherit, due to decades of greed, waste and governmental neglect.’

‘The women were arrested and taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station where they were charged with aggravated unlawful entry on inclosed lands,’ said the police.

‘They were granted strict conditional bail to appear before Coffs Harbour Local Court on Wednesday 9 August 2023.’

Citizens taking action

The Bellingen Activist Network said they are currently experiencing more and more everyday people requesting to be upskilled to take direct actions locally to protect the forests. 

They are ‘calling for an immediate end to all industrial logging in NSW native forests’ like WA and Victoria who have already committed to ending native forest logging.

‘All of these peaceful direct actions come in both a climate and species extinction crisis. Communities are increasingly turning towards brave acts of direct action, putting their bodies in the way of irreversible destruction as a last line of defence,’ said BAN.

More information on upcoming local actions and events, including the upcoming Forest Fest on July 8 can be found at facebook.com/bellingenactivistnetwork.