Aboriginal activist tells court of obligation to prevent 'slaughtered' forests

An Aboriginal activist is asserting a cultural obligation to protect the land in her defense against a trespassing charge. Ruth Langford, also known as Tipruthanna, told the Hobart Magistrates Court that she has a duty to "protect lands that are being slaughtered."

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protect lands that are being slaughtered

Langford, who is representing herself, was charged with trespassing after attending an anti-logging protest at a logging coupe in Snow Hill, Tasmania, in January 2025. She pleaded not guilty, arguing she was on the site to "uphold cultural obligation to protect country" and "conduct a mourning ceremony."

She detailed the influence of her upbringing, which included "radical resistance fighters" involved in the 1980s campaign to stop the Franklin River being dammed. Langford stated that her mother emphasized the importance of the community asserting its cultural law on the front lines. She believes her cultural obligation provides a reasonable excuse to remain on the land, asserting that her relationship to the land transcends the boundaries of logging coupes.

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to uphold cultural obligation to protect country

During her testimony, Langford became emotional as she recounted the racism she endured growing up, including being spat on and called derogatory names. She told the court that her elders always linked human rights and land rights, emphasizing that "our connection to land was pivotal to our health and wellbeing as a people."

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to conduct a mourning ceremony

Body camera footage presented in court showed Langford being asked to leave the site by police. However, she stated that she did not hear the order.

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My mother really thought it was absolutely important that the community stood on the front line to assert our cultural law