Kryptonites And Sawdust
As thirty-one members of the Penan and Kayan tribes of Sarawak faced prosecution for protecting their rainforest homelands from the Japanese timber companies and the Malaysian government, eight activists from Lea Valley Earth First! emerged from the basement of 9 Cazenove Road. Their aim was to wreak havoc upon the Malaysian Tourist Board in Trafalgar Square, London. For the staff of the Malaysian Tourist Board this was going to be a Monday to remember.
At about 10am on the 7th of October 1991, eight would be tourists entered the Malaysian Tourist Board with Kryptonite Bike Locks, chains and a suspiciously large bag of Sawdust. Matilda had just sat down to a cup of Coffee, when David led the happy procession of eco-nutters through the front door of Malaysia House.
"Hello" said David in a polite voice, "We are here to occupy this building in Solidarity with thirty-one indigenous people who are in court today for protecting the oldest rainforest on earth. You may leave by the back door."
Needless to say Matilda was a little freaked out and Peter (the beefy guy who we believe to be employed by the Malaysian Secret Police) couldn't believe his ears. Suddenly a bag of sawdust appeared and proceeded to empty its contents all over the neat and tidy office. At this point we learnt that sawdust and expensive electronic equipment do not mix and £75 of damage was caused to a word-processor, shame!
"This is an emergency" squealed Matilda as she rang the Police. "You can't do this!!", Peter in disbelief as the chains and kryptonites came out. "You're Hooligans!!”. That's right pal!! and we are going to carry having a go at you and your government until you leave the forests and indigenous people of Sarawak alone.
The Police came and the party was dragged to the cells. No charges were brought and the magistrate refused to bind them over the next morning in court. The next day a ridiculous piece of anti-Earth First! propaganda entitled "PROTESTORS WHO DO IT ONLY FOR THE MONEY" appeared on the front page of the Malaysian paper "The People".The bureaucrats of the international green movement exchanged angry faxes and the protestors who did only for the money went and spent their cash. The court case was indigenous peoples' court case was adjourned to 1992.
Sarawak Update
The logging blockade of over 500 people at Long Geng is still strong. However there has been a recent crack-down on another blockade at Long Geng, forty-two people were arrested and put in one cell. They have appeared in court and pleaded not guilty for defending their lands. Thirty-six are still in prison because they could not raise the money for bail.
March 23rd 1992. Dayak Solidarity Action Day
On 23rd of March the people of Long Geng will be tried for protecting their land, we must act in solidarity with them by bringing their plight to the world's attention. More details from Lea Valley Earth First! (See directory on page 8)