A MAULES Creek woman has become the latest protester charged after allegedly disrupting Whitehaven Coal’s attempt to clear the state forest.
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Ann-Marie Rasmussen, a local horse trainer, sus-pended herself from a tree in the Leard State Forest early yesterday morning in protest against the mine.
She spent seven hours in the tree before she was arrested by police about 12.30pm and taken to Narrabri Police Station.
“The government knows the risks that mining poses for our water, air and ecosystems, and they create laws protecting the right of the mines to do so. Yet the law of this land states that any man or woman who dares to defend their land is labelled a criminal,” Ms Rasmussen said.
The arrest is the latest in a sustained attack over recent months by protesters from the Leard Forest Alliance and Frontline Action on Coal who oppose the mine and the clearing of the forest.
“These people have broken the law knowing the consequences they would face, for no personal gain other than environmental protection,” Leard Forest Alliance spokesperson Andy Paine said.
