Communist Web Monday 6th March 2000 9.30pm gmt Thugs' forest assault An atmosphere of fear and hatred whipped up for years by logging companies exploded into an act of thuggery on the night of February 21 in Victoria's East Gippsland forest. Around midnight up to 50 loggers entered a protest camp in the Goolengook forest and violently assaulted conservationists. The camp was set up three years ago as part of a campaign to have the Goolengook forest included in the Errinundra National Park. Following the assault an ambulance was called to the scene where a man was assessed for head injuries and two others treated for cuts and bruises. The attack followed a historic call by Aboriginal leaders for an immediate end to old growth logging. When they informed loggers that the operations contravene customary law on Bidawal and Krauatungalung land they were met with violence. "Violence of this kind has been used to suppress and control this land and our people for the last 200... http://www.billkath.demon.co.uk/cw/thu/thu.html
