The Greens applaud respected Aboriginal elder and activist, Jim Everett – puralia meenamatta – who was arrested today in defence of spectacular giant forests in the Styx Valley.
Jim has been a tireless warrior for his people, using art, activism and advocacy to fight for identity, land, heritage protection, truth and Treaty.
Anyone who heard what he had to say at the weekend’s forests rally, or reads his comments today would be moved. And, we hope, moved to action.
Lutruwita’s forests do not belong to Labor and Liberal politicians to gift to industry with taxpayer subsidies that fund their logging and burning.
They grow on palawa country.
While these giant forests are precious carbon banks, and habitat for wildlife, first and foremost they are part of unceded Aboriginal land.
The Tasmanian Greens stand in solidarity with Jim Everett and others from the Aboriginal community who fight for the protection of their land, culture and future of their community. Protecting forests is just one part of that fight.
