TEN self-described ordinary people of the Derwent Valley were arrested and charged with trespass following an anti-forestry demonstration in the Florentine on Sunday. Spokeswoman Bronwyn Smith said "sheer desperation" over a lack of government leadership and answers about the true extent of the protection of the Upper Florentine led to the local people being arrested - nine of them for the first time in their lives.
The group, which is believed to include people from New Norfolk, Granton, Westerway, Bushy Park and Ellendale, joined a protest march that drew about 300 people to the forest on Sunday. In total 22 people were arrested for breaching a forestry exclusion zone and that group is now calling itself the "Mothers Day 22".
Protesting is fine, it's only when you break the law that arrests occur - no need for that 'ordinary people' - protest peacefully and you will gain more respect for a worthwhile cause.
ReplyDeleteLou