Disgruntled Circular Head residents say a blockade at a Bob Brown Foundation fundraiser on Friday was designed to take a stand against efforts to create a Tarkine national park.
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A group of four-wheel drives prevented buses from taking some runners in the takayna Ultra Marathon from Marrawah Hall to the start line near Temma.
Smithton resident Peter Benson said protesters were on the scene for about two hours and moved on when approached by police.
"We're disgruntled that Bob Brown and the Bob Brown Foundation think they have the right to come into our area to raise funds to lock up the Tarkine," he said.
"We embrace people to come into the area but not with the intention of taking our freedom away from us.
"We're not agitators. We're not radicals. We get to a point where we get pushed around enough and it's time to push back a bit to have a voice."
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The 65-kilometre race aimed to raise money for the foundation's campaign to have the Tarkine protected as a World Heritage-listed National Park. The race started at 7.15 am instead of 6.30.
The Bob Brown Foundation said a marquee and ropes were vandalised at the finish line at West Point.
Mr Benson said those who took part in the blockade did not cause the damage.
Bob Brown said the blockade was ruining the reputation of North-West Tasmania.
"If the blockade was meant to stop the marathon, it failed. Our legal advice is that the buses are businesses and these vigilantes are in breach of the Hodgman government's new anti-protest laws. I presume the Premier will be calling for action."
Liberal MLC Leonie Hiscutt likened Dr Brown's comments to a "late April Fools' joke."
"It is very rich for Bob Brown to be complaining about protesters and wanting action to be taken under anti-protest laws, given it is usually his activist mates protesting to disrupt legitimate businesses and workers from earning a living.
"However, we welcome Dr Brown's new-found support for our protection from protesters laws and look forward to him supporting their passage through the Parliament."
Mr Benson said the residents would consider further action.
"We're putting Mr Brown on notice. If he continues to push for change and continues with protests we might have to come up with more things in the future."
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