Jim Everett-puralia meenamatta

A Tasmanian Aboriginal elder says he has no intention of appearing in court — or participating in the “colonial” judicial system — on a charge of trespass for taking part in a protest against native forest logging. A magistrate issued an arrest warrant for 81-year-old Jim Everett-puralia meenamatta on Monday morning, after he failed to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court. …”I’m not going to be running and hiding from them. If they want to arrest me and bring it on, well yeah, that’s good,” said Mr Everett. He was arrested and charged on March 19 in a native forest coupe in Tasmania, and was bailed to appear on June 3; a hearing he did not attend. …The question of Aboriginal sovereignty, lack of treaty, and the jurisdiction of Australian courts over Aboriginal people are central to Mr Everett’s argument. …Mr Everett said treaty with Aboriginal people would help to clarify these matters.