Thread by @XRebellionAus

💥BREAKING💥

@DanielAndrewsMP wants to hit peaceful forest defenders and scientific surveyors in logging coupes with $21K fines / 1yr jail!

Rebels have joined 30+ groups incl. @Alliance_Forest to demand our right to protect some of the most carbon dense forests in the world!
🧵

WHAT HAPPENED TO DEMOCRACY? 🌳🌿

We call on all Victorian MPs to reject the proposed draconian laws which will increase penalties for citizens wishing to protect forests from VicForests’ often unlawful logging practices.

cc. @DanielAndrewsMP @LilyDAmbrosioMP

#VicGov #AusPol

📣 LET IT BE KNOWN!

Government-owned VicForests is facing 9 court cases and corruption scandals including illegal logging and spying on a conservationist.

Yet it’s #VicGov that wants to send peaceful forest defenders to jail when logging is the crime!

abc.net.au/news/2021-12-1…

“Just 1% of our beautiful Central Highlands old growth forests (mostly mountain ash) survive and are now facing ecological collapse,” said @piersmitchem.

“Who are the real extremists here? Peaceful protestors or politicians surrendering to the loss of irreplaceable forests?”

#VicGov claims that workplace safety is cause for criminalising our democratic right to protest but there is no evidence that protest has compromised the safety of loggers!

Protesters have prevented unlawful activities and protected wildlife ❤️‍🩹

This law seeks to prevent that.

“The freedom to protest sits at the heart of our democracy,” said @Alliance_Forest spokesperson Nic Fox.

“In the context of a climate crisis, continued destruction of First Nations Country and collapsing ecosystems, we need to protect this right more than ever.”

“Victoria’s enviro. and wildlife protection laws are weak and out of date,” says rebel @tanganista

“Our elected representatives would do us a greater service if they strengthened those laws rather than clamping down on citizens trying to save forests from mindless destruction.”

“We need forests more than ever. We must protect our wildlife from habitat loss, climate change and direct injury during logging activities,” says @tanganista.

“There are alternatives for paper products, firewood and building materials. There’s no alternative to our forests.”

As rebels, forest defenders, climate, human rights and legal groups congregate outside Victoria’s state parliament in solidarity, the Red Rebels mourn the loss of forest habitat and democracy.

Blinky the endangered koala’s cries of agony can be heard across the city.

The science is clear.

Logging increases bush flammability for 30 years. Forest growth is fire risk management. Forests are essential for carbon storage!

Jailing people for defending forests in a climate and ecological emergency is criminal.

@DanielAndrewsMP @LilyDAmbrosioMP

“The forests do not belong to the government. They certainly don’t belong to VicForests. They belong to everyone, now and into the future,” says rebel @tanganista.

“We have the right to protect them. That is what we are doing today and will continue to do.”

This action is taking place on the stolen Wurundjeri land.

We pay respect to elders, past and present. We acknowledge their sovereignty and ongoing resistance against the destructive forces of capitalism and colonialism which are fuelling the climate and ecological crisis⁣.

Grateful for your support, @Sam_Hibbins! Thank you!

Hi @DanAndrewsMP, @LilyDAmbrosioMP and co.

Us again 👋

Please read this take on your anti-protest laws by @EJ_Aus lawyer Ellen Maybery.

envirojustice.org.au/as-forests-col…

Thank you for standing with us @SamanthaRatnam ✊🌿

https://twitter.com/samantharatnam/status/1539064084939022336