[www-features] PROPOSAL: 20 Gunns Salute for Tasmanian Environmentalists

[garcondumonde]

hi,

an addition:

- there's video online:

http://melbourne.indymedia.org/uploads/flannigan.mpg

thus, corrected article is now below.

love and solidarity,

       --gdm

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TITLE: 20 Gunns Salute for Tasmanian Environmentalists

PICTURE: http://melbourne.indymedia.org/uploads/gunns-1_thumb.jpg OR
http://images.indymedia.org/imc/sydney/sueme.jpg (first probably better)

<p>On Tuesday, a writ was lodged against 20 different groups and
individuals, including <a href="http://www.wilderness.org.au/">The
Wilderness Society</a> and <a
href="http://www.doctorsforforests.com/">Doctors for Forests</a>, by <a
href="http://www.wilderness.org.au/campaigns/corporate/gunns/whatisgunn/">Gunns
Ltd</a> of <a href="http://www.discover-tasmania.com/">Tasmania</a>. They
are attempting to sue for loss of business, to the tune of $6.36 million
(AUD).</p>

<p>Within 24 hours, hundreds of demonstrators had gathered in the centre
of Hobart, the Tasmanian capital, to protest this attempt at stifling
dissent. A silent vigil was held and keys were jangled to represent the
desire to open a door to a new and different future. Historical
comparisons were made with the dangers of asbestosis and cigarette
smoking, both of which were exposed through the dedication of protestors.
Acknowledgement was also made that this was an issue of importance to us
all - despite the varied political beliefs of those present.</p>

<p>Photos: [ <a
href="http://sydney.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=49553&group=webcast">1</a>
| <a href="http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2004/12/84762.php">2</a>
]<br />
Videos: [ <a
href="http://melbourne.indymedia.org/uploads/flannigan.mpg">1</a> ]</p>

<p>Tasmania is one of the world's most beautiful environments and home to
some amazing areas of forest. These are now being felled at an alarming
rate. For what? 90% of the Tasmanian native forests that are felled are
converted into woodchips for the paper industry, which are then sold for
$15 AUD (approximately $9 US) per tonne. And the profit doesn't even
benefit the local community: most of the profits from <a
href="http://www.wilderness.org.au/campaigns/corporate/gunns/whatisgunn/">Gunns</a>
- the biggest hardwood woodchipper in the world - leave Tasmania for
shareholders on mainland Australia, despite what the industry and
government says.</p>

<p>[ <a
href="http://www.active.org.au/hobart/news/front.php3?article_id=877&group=webcast">Tasmedia
story</a> | <a href="http://www.discover-tasmania.com/">Discover
Tasmania</a> | <a
href="http://www.wilderness.org.au/campaigns/corporate/gunns/whatisgunn"Background
to Gunns</a> <a
href="http://www.tasmaniantimes.com/flanaganrape.html">Rape of
Tasmania</a> ]</p>