Tarkine campaign continues
By Carol Mitchell and Ben Courtice
HOBART — On March 11, around 200 people attended a sleep-out/vigil in support of the Tarkine Wilderness direct action blockade, which is occurring in the north-west of Tasmania.
The blockaders are attempting to halt construction of the Heemskirk link road through the centre of the Tarkine, Australia's largest area of rainforest wilderness. The latest high-profile action was the arrest of Tasmanian Aboriginal activist Jim Everett on March 16. Also notable was the German Greens' protest at Paul Keating's arrival in Germany, where banners saying "woodchip shame" and "Stop the Tarkine Road" were displayed.
The road is "crashing through at an appalling pace", said activist Peter Sims.
The vigil, at Parliament house, was organised by Tarkine House, a Hobart-based support network of activists which has been keeping close communication with the blockaders.
The blockade has mobilised 50 people at any given time, mostly independent activists. There are about 30 protesters who have been blockading continually at both ends of the road. There is also the potential to organise further action in Hobart.