MEDIA RELEASE
Monday 9 April 2007

POLICE FOILED IN ATTEMPT TO RE-ARREST LAKE COWAL PROTESTOR

Activists at the Lake Cowal camp this morning surrounded a police vehicle to prevent officers from re-arresting a student protestor.

Following 14 arrests at the Lake Cowal Gold Mine, 47 kms from West Wyalong, Central Western New South Wales, police arrived unannounced this morning and attempted to re-arrest a student protestor known as "Trent".

Yesterday 14 protestors were arrested after actions at the mine in which some locked on to the conveyor belt while others entered the mine's offices in support of Traditional Wiradjuri demands to stop desecrating their ancient, sacred lake and to leave the mine.

The protestors were charged with entering 'inclosed lands' under the obscure Inclosed Lands Act 1901 and later released on the condition that they did not come within 10 kilometres of the mine.

The Lake Cowal Easter convergence camp is located 2 km from the mine on the Marsden Road between Condobolin and West Wyalong.

After police had put "Trent" into their bullwagon, protestors surrounded it, demanding his release. One of the policemen threatened to spray the campers with capsicum if they did not move.

Finally the police said they would let ãTrentä go and arrest him later. Protestors are concerned that people returning home from the camp could be arrested as they leave the 10 km bail-imposed zone around the mine.

Contacts:
Neville Williams, Wiradjuri Traditional Owner
0416 316 774

Ellie Gilbert
0421 795 639