NSW police have confirmed they arrested and charged six of the eight people protesting against native forest logging in Coffs Harbour yesterday.
‘About 9.30am Wednesday, April 23, officers from Coffs/Clarence Police District responded to reports of protesters on the roof of a building in Park Street, Coffs Harbour,’ stated the NSW Police report.
‘It will be alleged that six women – aged between 24 and 65 – failed to comply with a direction to leave the building. With the assistance of the Police Rescue Squad, six women were arrested and removed from the roof, with the last woman was removed at 1.30pm. There were no reports of injuries.
‘All six were taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station where they were charged with offensive conduct whilst on inclosed lands.’
End native forest logging
The eight women had attached themselves to the entrance and rooftop of the NSW Forestry Corporation’s office in Park Street, Coffs Harbour to call an end to native forest logging in NSW.
The women say the corporation is a criminal entity, found guilty of multiple crimes and costing taxpayers many millions in fines and legal fees. For example, they recently spent more than $1 million when they lost a case against conservation groups over breaches of logging rules.
The forest protectors include Knitting Nanna Sharon Hodge, 65, filmmaker Juliet Lamont, 54, and registered nurse Daisy Nutty, 51.
‘We are on the brink of a climate catastrophe,’ sai dMs Lamont.
‘We have all experienced it with recent floods and cyclones edging further south. We need to secure a sustainable future for our children. Our governments are showing no visionary leadership so ordinary citizens are being forced to show the way forward.’
All six people were granted conditional bail to appear at Coffs Harbour Local Court on various future dates.
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