Friday Politics: Protection of the Leard and Pilliga Forests, Kent House 6.00pm Friday, 8 August

The next discussion for Friday Politics, to be held at Kent House from 6.00pm Friday, the 8^th of August, will focus on the protection of the Leard and Pilliga Forests from open cut coal and coal seam gas mining. Local and global implications of Australia’s investments in major fossil fuel projects will be explored, as well as the grassroots actions taken so far in trying to prevent the devastation of the Leard and Pilliga forests.

The discussion will be lead by Richelle Roberts, a local environmental and animal welfare advocate, who was arrested along with 90 other protectors in March this year on the Whitehaven Maules Creek Coal Mine site in the Leard State Forest.  The discussion will open at 6.00pm, followed by a shared meal at 7.30pm for a gold coin donation.

Pat Schultz, local, grandmother, and environmental activist, will also speak on the night regarding her recent lock-on at the Maules Creek Coal Mine Site and subsequent arrest, resulting in a fine of $1800 and a criminal record.

Friday Politics is an initiative of March Armidale, a group of local people working together for an Australia where education, healthcare and social support are accessible to all, where our shared natural environment is protected and conserved for the future, and where social justice and human rights are respected. The fossil fuel projects in the Leard and Pilliga forests threaten our access to food and water, and can therefore be considered a violation of human rights, as well as an environmental injustice.

The group is part of March Australia, a grassroots people’s movement which now comprises of more than 40 regional groups.  Individuals and community groups are invited to join March Armidale and participate in the preparation of the next March Armidale Rally, due to be held on Saturday 30^th of August.