Aboriginal elder Jim Everett-puralia meenamatta was arrested in March for protesting against native logging in Tasmania. He says he won't recognise the "colonial" courts.
A magistrate issued an arrest warrant for 81-year-old Jim Everett-puralia meenamatta this morning after he failed to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court.He was on truwana/Cape Barren Island at the time of the brief hearing, and says he intends to travel to Hobart on Tuesday. "I have every sovereign right to go there and protect my country, and they have no jurisdiction to stop me."The question of Aboriginal sovereignty, lack of treaty, and the jurisdiction of Australian courts over Aboriginal people are central to Mr Everett's argument.
"I make no plea in a colonial court. So when they take me in, I'm just going to tell them we're standing on my sovereignty and they have no jurisdiction.