AAP General News (Australia)
04-19-2001
Vic: Protesters ready to stop Otweays logging today
Anti-logging protesters have wired trees with heavy cables in preparation for another
stand-off with police and forest workers today in Victoria's Otway Ranges, south-west
of Melbourne.
A 24-hour moratorium on logging in the contentious CIANCIO coupe expires today, but
protesters have vowed to prevent any trees being felled.
Otway Ranges Environment Network spokesman SIMON BIRRELL says about 40 protesters resumed
their position in the coupe following at least six arrests by police at the logging site
yesterday.
Ten of the environmentalists have taken up positions in trees, with their platforms
joined to other trees by an intricate pattern of cables.
Mr BIRRELL says the cables mean that any trees felled will also bring down the protesters
on platforms.
The protesters are also armed with large right-angle shaped pieces of steel which they
use to lock themselves to the trees, forcing arresting police to use cutting equipment
to remove them.
The protesters regrouped at the site yesterday following Tuesday's clash with police
which prompted Victorian Environment Minister SHERRYL GARBUTT to suspend logging at the
site for 24 hours "in the interests of public safety".
AAP RTV bp/psm/
KEYWORD: LOGGING (MELBOURNE)
2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
No comments:
Post a Comment