Aboriginal activist Ruth Langford appeared in the Hobart Magistrates Court this week over allegations she trespassed and refused police orders in a Tasmanian logging coupe last year.
Ms Langford was part of a group of activist who attended an anti-logging protest at Snow Hill in Tasmania's Northern Midlands in January, 2025.
The Yorta Yorta/Dja Dja Wurrung woman, whose request to have the entire court matter heard on Country was refused by Chief Magistrate Catherine Geason in April, has pled not guilty to all charges.
Ms Langford's matter was first heard in May, 2025. It was later adjourned in October.
Self-representing before Chief Magistrate Geason on Thursday, Ms Langford, who appeared via video link from Risdon Cove, called four witnesses to give evidence to support her case that she had a reasonable, lawful reason to remain in the logging coupe in the Eastern Tiers forest, known as SH067C.
They included Elder Uncle Jim Everett Puralia Meenamatta, who, via video link from Cape Barren Island, described the relationship between Indigenous people and Country and the need for Aboriginal people to protect the land.
After appearing in court on similar charges last year, Mr Everett said his passed the responsibility of entering forests to protect them from logging on to Ms Langford.
Mr Everett had previously refused to enter the "colonial" court to face the trespass charges.
Under cross-examination, Mr Everett said seeing Country destroyed was traumatic for Tasmanian Aboriginal people.
He said there were a range of ways Aboriginal people act to protect Country, including being arrested "to draw attention to the issue," the ABC reports.
The previous day Ms Langford appeared in person, flanked by more than two dozen supporters, who she turned to when delivering her three-word opening statement - "let's get 'em".
The court then heard evidence from her arresting officer and Sustainable Timber Tasmania (STT) representatives.
They included STT forest operations manager David White, who certified the area near Snow Hill for logging.
Mr White told the court he was "satisfied" all required Aboriginal heritage assessments had taken place when the forest practices plan was signed.
Under the Government Business Enterprise's policy, forest operations must meet a legally binding Forest Practices Plan (FPP), which includes protections for cultural values.
Under cross-examination Ms Langford presented Mr White with a shell necklace, a small basket and a rock, and asked him to identify their cultural significance.
Mr White, who the court heard has undergone about three days of Aboriginal cultural heritage training in the past 15 years, said his knowledge of Aboriginal cultural practices was "limited," the ABC reports, and was unable to identify the significance of the items.
The STT employee responsible for supervising the logging coupe at the time of the arrest, senior forest officer Christopher Sing, also gave evidence.
Mr Sing told the court he was contacted in the early hours of the morning to be notified a group of people has gathered at the logging site.
He said he attended the site later that morning with police to formally request the protesters leave, with all but Ms Langford complying.
Police body-worn camera footage was played before the court, showing a group of protesters gathered around logging machinery with large banners, striking clapsticks and singing.
The video also showed Ms Langford choosing not to leave and accepting her arrest.
The hearing has been adjourned until Wednesday 8 July where Ms Langford is expected to give evidence.
