GM Crops Trampled in North East Fife Demo

Open letter from one of the organisers of the demo
The crop-trampling on Saturday 8th June 2002 was a terrific success. See below for some of the press coverage. Importantly we (more correctly YOU) proved yet again the strength of feeling against GM experiements. The press say 250 attended and over 70 (73 counted by the Sunday Post reporter) went into the field. Everyone was right to exercise their democratic right to protest and put human rights over property rights when it comes to protecting the environment and people from mulitnational corportations controlling their lives. It is through such democratic protest that we have gained our rights whether that is the right to vote for women or the right to walk on the land or our rights to organise in trade unions and other bodies. Everyone, whether they came into the field or not should be proud of the action they took today.

One thing everyone there today must do however is put down their experiences in writing. Four people were arrested (they've all been released and charged with relatively minor offences). We need to show our support for them and protect them. Whatever you saw please write a statement, be explicit, detailed and focus on specific events you saw and send to me or anyone else in the steering cttee you know. We can then compile them as part of the evidence in support of those arrested. It is important you do this immediately so that the events are fresh in your minds.

Yours,
Carlo

BBC website, Saturday, 8 June:
Campaigners trample GM crops
Crop trials have sparked protests in Scotland. Several have been arrested following a protest against genetically modified crops in Fife, according to organisers. An estimated 250 people from across Scotland converged on Wester Friarton farm at Newport on Saturday. The event was billed as a "Tea in the Field" protest by organisers. They said that about 70 anti-GM crop demonstrators trampled to the centre of the field. Organisers said that six protestors were arrested for breach of the peace. They are believed to include an official of Dundee Trades Council.

Green MSP Robin Harper told the crowd that the issue of GM crop trials would not go away, as he believed the government hoped it would. Campaigners have been mounting weekend vigils outside the field of oil seed rape for several months. Saturday's protest was the largest at the site so far. Previous demonstrations have focused on the village of Munlochy at Easter Ross in the Highlands, the site of a trial by the same seed company.

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