Benjamin Pierssene: Main Arm man sentenced for Girard State Forest protest

A Byron man who tied a bed 30m above the ground in a defiant action against forestry logging has faced court.

A Byron Shire man who protested industrial logging has learnt his fate.

Main Arm man Benjamin Pierssene, 32, appeared before Lismore Local Court on Monday pleading guilty to a blockade tree sit within the Girard State Forest back in April 26.

During a protest against industrial logging in a wildlife corridor, Pierssene suspended himself on a bed base about 30 metres above the ground, court documents state.

The platform was erected using ropes tied around the Forestry Corp Machinery.

According to court documents, Pierssene refused to answer questions or speak with police, only gesturing a thumbs up when asked about his wellbeing.

Police went to call Police Rescue to extract Pierssene but due to the remote location, travel time and nightfall, the operation was delayed, according to court documents.

However, at 8pm, police saw Pierssene throw a rope from the side of the platform and descend where they placed him under arrest.

Pierssene refused to answer questions about how the platform got up there or whether there were others on the platform, court documents state.

The Forest Defence NSW protest was in regards to the concern over native species such as yellow bellied gliders, greater gliders, the powerful owl and koalas who call the forest home.

At the time, Green MLC Sue Higginson said the logging was “against the recommendations of the Natural Resources Commission”.

Pierssene’s solicitor Steve Bolt said he planned to return to the UK to continue his study of linguistics.

View from the tree sit at Girard State Forest, back in April 26,2022. Picture: Forest Defence NSW Facebook

Magistrate Jeff Linden acknowledged “there was always a right to protest in a lawful manner” but said Pierssene’s actions were not that.

The magistrate said Pierssene placed himself in danger while being “totally non compliant, non cooperative” with police.

Given that, he convicted Pierssene for entering and remaining in a contravention of a displayed notice, failure to leave an area on request of an authorised officer, and erecting an obstruction in a forestry area.

He was also fined $500 for each charge.