LAST CHANCE RALLY - 9 March 2002

HOWZ ABOUT THAT THEN!  On 9 March an anti GM rally was held in Stratford on
Avon before moving on to Long Marston where the field trial is being held.
Never mind Shakespeare, it seems that Stratford is becoming a hot bed of
radicalism? 

Ten days before the GM rally, and having publicised our event wide and far
as taking place at Stratford Town Hall, the Town Council got cold feet and
pulled out. They stated they wish to  remain "impartial" on the issue. We
had to move to nearby King Edward VI (kes) School.

On the day of the Rally at last things ran smoothly with stalls, a giant
bee, an exhibition of anti-GM art by Emily Johns and videos with about a
hundred and fifty people attending.  Of course there were expert speakers
to raise public awareness, who were excellent: Dr. John Latham who is a
genetic scientist, Becky Price from GeneWatch, Helena Paul from EcoNexus,
Rowan Tilly who is a GM crop puller and a representative from the Totnes
Anti-GM Roadshow. 

On leaving the hall a samba band led our procession to the coaches, which
then took us to Long Marston, where once again the band led our procession
through the  village. 

A handful of police were ready to welcome us when we arrived to inspect the
GM trial site.  After handing out some warnings about the dangers of
trespassing and damaging property they stood and watched as about thirty of
us wearing white biohazard suits spend about an hour decontaminating the
trial.  It was hard work pulling up smallish plants from heavy wet clay but
the samba band kept an encouraging rhythm going.  After half an hour had
passed about twenty police reinforcements arrived and arrested five people
for criminal damage. Once these arrests had taken place, the police seemed
content to leave us to our own devices. Several GM crop pullers remained on
the site and entertained the police with an elegantly choreographed Mexican
wave followed by a deep sweeping bow.  If there had not been time
constraints for the coaches we could have carried on pulling GM rape well
into the night. 

It was a fun family day out, enjoyed by all, finishing with tea and cake
served in the Village Hall by the Womens' Institute - even the cops came in
for some refreshments. What a nerve?  

Those arrested were released that night on police bail to return to
Leamington Spa Police Station from 9 am on 11 April.  Those arrested were
welcomed by supporters and taken to enjoy warm hospitality offered by a
local woman.