Fwd: [Biodemocracy] Action Alert--BioDemocracy Under Attack: Defend the Mendocino Ban

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Mon, 15 Mar 2004 14:01:06 -0600

biodemocracy

[biodemocracy]

Action Alert--BioDemocracy Under Attack: Defend the Mendocino Ban

 

 

 

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ACTION ALERT

 

BIODEMOCRACY UNDER ATTACK:

 

DEFEND THE MENDOCINO BAN & SPREAD GE-FREE ZONES THROUGHOUT THE AMERICAS

 

 

 

Activists, farmers, and concerned consumers across the U.S. and the world have

been inspired and energized by the historic vote in Mendocino County California

on March 2, 2004 that banned the production of genetically engineered crops and

animals. Mendocino is the first of 3300 counties in the U.S to implement such a

ban. Mendocino residents voted for the GE ban despite massive spending by the

biotech industry ($700,000) and a non-stop barrage of misleading advertising and

disinformation. For a grassroots report on this victory see:

http://www.organicconsumers.org/ge/mendocino031104.cfm

 

 

 

The Mendocino victory has rocked Monsanto and the biotech industry, who fear

that grassroots activists across the U.S. and Canada will now follow Mendocino's

example. As Allan Noe, vice-president of CropLife America, a front group

representing Monsanto, DuPont and Syngenta stated, " We don't want to see this

pick up any steam. The activist community is well-known for championing causes

and for going all out to fuel their beliefs. "

 

 

 

Of course this is exactly what is happening. As Katrina Frey, an organic

winemaker from Mendocino and a leader of the Proposition H ban put it:

" Mendocino County is the first GMO-free County in the nation, and I am sure it

will not be the last. There are currently nine other California Counties

considering similar measures. " Frey's sentiments are echoed by Canadian farmer

Percy Schmeiser, who is fighting a crucial court battle against Monsanto in

Canada's Supreme Court: " This is a great victory and a wonderful inspiration for

farmers and consumers in the United States and Canada. "

 

 

 

But now the Mendocino ban and future similar bans are under heavy attack.

Informed sources have told the OCA that the Farm Bureau and the biotech lobby

are spearheading an effort to introduce a bill in the California Senate that

will nullify the Mendocino GMO ban and make it illegal for other California

counties to pass similar laws. Legislative leaders under the sway of corporate

agribusiness and the Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, apparently

feel they must stamp out " BioDemocracy " in California before it spreads any

further. OCA and its allies are organizing a major campaign to stop or defeat

this legislation. Last weekend we met in San Francisco and Berkeley with

national anti-GE activists to plan this campaign. We are also approaching county

elected officials in San Francisco and other areas to pass similar GMO bans. But

we need your help to spread the word, organize city or county GE bans in your

local area, and, most of all, we need donations to finance this

crucial campaign.

 

 

 

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Donations are urgently needed!

 

 

 

We need to raise at least $50,000 in the next 30 days from OCA members and

supporters to defend the Mendocino victory and to spread similar bans throughout

California, the U.S., and the Americas.

 

 

 

We believe this is the most crucial moment in the ten-year history of the

anti-GE foods movement.

 

 

 

Please make an online donation today by clicking here:

 

https://www.securemysite.com/greenpeople/ocadonate.cfm

 

 

 

If you prefer to send a check, please mail a check made out to " OCA/BioDemocracy

Alliance " to our national office:

 

 

 

Organic Consumers Association

 

6101 Cliff Estate Road

 

Little Marais, Minnesota 55614

 

 

 

All Contributions are tax-deductible. We will keep you informed on all

developments.

 

 

 

In Solidarity,

 

 

 

Ronnie Cummins

 

National Director--Organic Consumers Association

 

218-226-4164 ·

 

Fax: 218-353-7652

 

http://www.OrganicConsumers.org

 

 

 

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