Yesterday a large group of ‘anti-Wallum development’ protesters walked onto the site at the end of Omega Circuit, to surround two trees, one known as ‘The Mother Tree’ and one known as ‘The Grandmother Tree’, to welcome back to ground level two ‘possums’ (the affectionate name for tree protectors) and to escort the next shift up into the branches.
Spokesperson for the Wallum protesters, James Barrie, said about 200 people entered the space and protected the possums. ‘They surrounded the tree to help the peaceful uplifting of a new possum into the branches.
‘They need to be changed over in order to get supplies and rejuvenate. It’s a lot to be up there for an extended period of time,’ he said.
In the name of ecology and sacred lands
‘The community got behind that transfer in the name of ecology and sacred lands.’
While the transfer was taking place, at least two security guards were on-site, warning people that they were trespassing and yelling out that police were on their way.
Once the transfer was complete they asked the crowd to evacuate the site, which they did.
Bassi who lives in Mullumbimby, and Natalie who is from Tyalgum, have been in the two main trees since Wednesday – both were happy to be on the ground again but were also overwhelmed by the show of community support after four days of isolation.
Very at home in the tree
Natalie said she felt very at home in The Mother Tree. ‘I feel so fresh after that experience. Just so full of gratitude, so full of love, and just so much support from everybody here and so much empowerment. We were up there to save them. I feel so comfortable up in a tree but I’ve never been up in a tree like that like – harnessed. I could go exploring because I was securely held on.’
Bassi said it was very beautiful in The Grandmother Tree. ‘I really felt connected to nature and I was at home. It was beautiful just to sit there and see all the insects crawling around the tree and different little birds coming to visit.’
Natalie said her experience with the security guards on the site was mixed. ‘Some were really nice and some weren’t so nice. Some made me feel quite comfortable and some made me feel very uncomfortable.’
The protesters plan to stay until plans for the development are squashed – both possums said they would definitely volunteer to go up into the trees again.
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