Palawa activist Uncle Jim Everett arrested for trespass
A Tasmanian Aboriginal elder and political activist has been arrested in a forest this morning. Why he believes the “colonial court” has no jurisdictions over his actions to protect country.
Tasmania
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tasmania. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A Tasmanian Aboriginal elder has been arrested while protesting in a logging coupe, where he says he is challenging “the lie” of assumed citizenship.
Pakana/Palawa political activist Jim Everett-Puralia Meenamatta is “testing the colonial court” which he says has “no jurisdiction” over his actions to protect country.
“The Palawa have been under colonialism now for 221 years and have never had any agreements with the colonial governments of Australia or Tasmania to become Australian citizens,” Mr Everett said.
“Colonial Australia has no jurisdiction to arrest me or try me on charges for defending Palawa law in country and my action is to challenge the lie of assumed citizenship.”
Following his arrest, Mr Everett said he was sick of the “failed colony and its destructive practices for profits”
Mr Everett had an existing warrant out for his arrest for failing to attend court on the trespass charges from a protest in a different coupe earlier this year.
“I am making a stand against native forest logging to respect my obligation under Law in Country,” he said this morning prior to his arrest.
The Bob Brown Foundation campaigns manager Jenny Weber said “forest defenders” last week witnessed critically endangered swift parrots within the “destruction” of the logging coupe.
She said they called on the Tasmanian Government, and Forestry Tasmania (Sustainable Timbers Tasmania) to halt the logging due to the presence of the migratory bird returning to Tasmania for breeding season.
More to come
More Coverage
Originally published as Palawa activist Uncle Jim Everett arrested for trespass
Nine-year journey culminates in Tassie company doing world-first
It is rare for a company to achieve a world-first, but that is precisely what a Tasmanian business will be doing with its new venture.
Former UTAS vice-chancellor could be dropped from sexual misconduct lawsuit
Former UTAS vice-chancellor Peter Rathjen could be dropped from a sexual misconduct lawsuit, as the complainant considers solely going after the university.