Video of Greenpeace Director Kumi Naidoo's powerful statement in support of the 11 anti-GM protesters of Wetteren: http://t.co/NJSTKzMd
Also available here
http://vimeo.com/54974962
The Wetteren 11 speak out: "We, who were beaten, are accused of violence... We who act on behalf of small farmers are accused of forming a criminal gang."
http://vimeo.com/54974962
EXTRACT: Campaigning for a more sustainable agriculture is not a crime and this prosecution for [forming a] criminal gang is undemocratic. More than 80 people have volunteered to join the accused in the docks to reinforce this message. Among them are farmers, politicians, academic scholars, civil society representatives, concerned citizens and Frechn voluntary reapers. This is a strong message that the 11 accused belong to a broad social movement against GMOs.
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Support the Wetteren 11
Put GMOs on trial, not field liberation
Come to DENDERMONDE (Belgium), 15th of January 2013, 8 a.m.
On 29 May 2011, hundreds of activists decontaminated a GM potato field trial in Wetteren. They pulled up genetically modified potatoes and replaced them with organic varieties, which are naturally blight resistant, tasty, and healthy.
The "great potato swap" was public and nonviolent. The aim of the action was to stimulate debate about the pros and cons of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in our fields and on our plates. It succeeded: the public debate took off in the papers, online, and on the radio and television. Schools and universities took part as did NGOs and the political and farming sectors. This act of civil disobedience made people aware of the dangers of GMOs and the role that public research plays in their development. We need to find real sustainable and fair solutions to respond to future food challenges.
11 activists have been accused of belonging to a criminal gang, and risk being asked to pay €200,000 damages. Why so much? Because the Flemish Institute for biotechnology, University of Ghent, Ghent HogeSchool and the Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research wants them to pay not only for six months of private security for the site, but also for the pro GMO rally, the time the biotech industry spent dealing with the press, and the many hours that the lecturers spent spreading pro-GMO propaganda by e-mail and Facebook.
Campaigning for a more sustainable agriculture is not a crime and this prosecution for [forming a] criminal gang is undemocratic.
More than 80 people have volunteered to join the accused in the docks to reinforce this message. Among them are farmers, politicians, academic scholars, civil society representatives, concerned citizens and Frechn voluntary reapers. This is a strong message that the 11 accused belong to a broad social movement against GMOs.
Come and add your voice to the chorus of support, join us in Dendermonde on the day of the trial, have breakfast, exchange information, fry organic chips, and enjoy some live music.
We are meeting at 8am in front of the lawcourts, Justitieplein 1, Dendermonde.
You can also:
- Make your community GM free and organise a benefit evening, or a debate
- Record a video support message and send it to xxxx
- Support us financially by making a donation by bank transfer to the account name :
Crop Resistance (Triodos BIC: TRIOBEBB), number: BE595230 8045 6626
- Buy lots of our Faucheurs (crop pullers) beer from our depots in Brussels, Ghent and Antwerp.
For contact information look at
fieldliberation.wordpress.com
For information about the action go to: fieldliberation.wordpress.com
Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
PS. The law court is easy to reach by train, just 15 minutes walk from Dendermonde station
Coming from Ghent: 07:25 (track 1)
Coming from Brussels: 07:25 (track 1)
Coming from Antwerp: 06:47 (track 23)
Coming from Liège: 06:00 (track 3)