Gunns 20 defy intimidation

Alex Bainbridge, Hobart

Eighteen members of the "Gunns 20", accompanied by 200 supporters, crowded onto a narrow footpath outside the William Street courthouse in Melbourne on January 14, to officially declare their intention to contest Gunns' lawsuit.

The Gunns 20 are a group of environmental activists and organisations that have been sued by woodchipping giant Gunns Limited for allegedly damaging its business. The suit — which targets a range of protest actions and campaigns — is an attempt at intimidation against prominent leaders and grassroots activists involved in the campaign against woodchipping in Tasmania's old-growth forests.

The Wilderness Society Tasmanian campaign director Geoff Law — who is one of the defendants — told Green Left Weekly that the official declaration of their intention to contest the suit was "jumping through the first hoop" in what promises to be a long-running legal and political campaign.

The defendants are gearing up for a major campaign and are calling for financial and other support. Margaret Blakers, from Greens Senator Bob Brown's office, told GLW that already there has been "a fantastic amount of support, including financial support and offers of assistance, that is simply extraordinary".

Blakers argued that "This case will go on for years, like the McLibel case" brought by McDonald's against two British activists. She pointed out that "it's important for the defendants to realise they've got backing from the community, because [resisting Gunns' intimidation] will affect their lives for some time".

A film night in support of the Gunns 20 will be held at Sirens Restaurant on February 4 (see the Activist Calendar on page 23 for details). Further information about the campaign is available at <http://www.mcgunns.com>.

From Green Left Weekly, January 26, 2005.

Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.

From GLW issue 612