'Tree huggers' are sued by Tasmanian logging firm in bid to halt campaigns

[lovuian]

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/australasia/story.jsp?story=594475

'Tree huggers' are sued by Tasmanian logging firm in bid to halt campaigns
By Kathy Marks in Sydney
19 December 2004


Tasmania has long been a battleground between the logging giants that control the timber industry and environmentalists fighting to preserve the island's native hardwood forests.

Now the state's biggest private logging company, Gunns, has dramatically upped the ante, serving a A$6.3m (£2.5m) damages writ on 20 conservation groups and activists. Opponents have denounced the move as bully-boy tactics designed to stifle free speech.

Gunns is thought to be the first Australian company to use a "slap suit" to silence critics, although the strategy is not uncommon in the US. Some observers have drawn parallels with the "McLibel" case in London, where McDonald's spent 10 years suing two protesters who distributed leaflets attacking it.

more...

Dontcha love how they use the judicial system to harass protesters!!!

[BattyDem]

1. Tasmanians are such devils!

:evilgrin: