Genetic protesters publishprison survival guide
10 December 1998
Genetic protesters publish
prison survival guide
By Johann Tasker
ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners have published a handbook for action which includes a survival guide for protestors who are imprisoned after uprooting genetically modified (GM) crops.
The 115-page handbook informs environmental campaigners how to find GM trial sites and uproot the crops as a means of protest against biotechnology.
“There is a desperate need for citizens to slam on the brakes of this runaway experiment before its too late,” the handbook says.
“We are therefore inviting people to join together to take non-violent action by safely pulling up genetically modified crops.”
The handbook was published at the House of Commons this morning (Thursday) at a launch attended by Labour MP Alan Simpson.
“Non-violent public action has always been an important part of democratic traditions,” said Mr Simpson, the MP for Nottingham South.
“This has always been an essential part of people leading the way in social responsibility and ethical change.”
The handbook includes a legal briefing on arrest procedures, possible charges, and custodial penalties that protesters may suffer.
“A willingness to accept consequences of punishment doesnt mean that we think we have done anything wrong,” the handbook says.
“If we are getting lots of public support and the snowball is rolling on, then there is every reason for keeping up the pressure.”
The handbook details the methods used successfully by the Genetix Snowball group, which uprooted GM crops on farms across the country during the summer.
Five Genetix Snowball protesters became the first people to be arrested after uprooting GM crops at an Oxfordshire farm in July.
Melanie Jarman, one of those arrested, said today that she hoped other people would be encouraged to uproot GM crops.
“I hope that this handbook will inspire others to take action,” she said.