Solidarity on the Bridge: Answering Uncle Jim Everett’s Call to Action

This morning a group of activists, including the Wilderness Society Tasmania, gathered on a pedestrian bridge over the bustling Southern Outlet in Launceston. The group displayed banners in an act of solidarity with Uncle Jim Everett-puralia meenamatta, respected activist, writer and Tasmanian Aboriginal Elder.

The event was organised to amplify Uncle Jim's powerful call to action ahead of Invasion Day this Sunday.

The gathering also sought to highlight the urgent need to address ongoing logging activities in Lutruwita/Tasmania's globally significant forests.

Logging practices in these spectacular forests are not only inconsistent with international agreements but are also misaligned with market expectations.

Recently unveiled plans to log 39,000 hectares of forest reserves further illustrate how the Tasmanian government remains out of step with both regional and global environmental priorities. These forests were originally slated for protection, not exploitation, and the rejection of this timber by key markets underscores the growing demand for sustainable and ethical forestry practices.

Alice Hardinge, Campaigns Manager for the Wilderness Society Tasmania, says, “In a biodiversity and climate crisis, there has never been a more crucial time to protect native forests. We are answering the call of Uncle Jim - puralia meenamatta, and recognise that there is no environmental justice without First Nations justice.”