GM activists make a pilgrimage for a GM-free Britain1 October 2003
Welsh pianos played all the way from St Davids, coffins towed from Inverness and cow-shaped trolleys spearheaded a festive parade against GM crops through London on Monday.
Many others traveled by foot, bike or tractor to join over a thousand consumers demanding their right to a GM-free Britain. The rally was organised by Friends of the Earth, GM-free Cymru, Genetic Engineering Network and the Five Year Freeze campaign.
Bedford Square, in the heart of Bloomsbury, was the starting point for the final push in a pilgrimage of - for some - well over 600 miles.
A free delivery for the NFU
The parade was headed by five tractors, one of which was driven by Gerald Miles, an organic farmer who had driven all the way from Pembrokeshire. They were followed by 200 trolleys pushed by people from all over the country.
A few minutes before midday the march delivered a GM-free harvest loaf at the National Farmers Union (NFU).
It then negotiated Charing Cross Road and Trafalgar Square before its samba rhythms cheered up the morning of Whitehall civil servants. Number 10 had their own delivery half an hour later, as a gentle reminder of what the public (and the voters) think of GM crops.
I cannot see that the government could logically, consistently, or
morally go ahead [allowing GM crops to be grown]
Michael Meacher MP,
Former Minister for the Environment
The last free giveaway was awarded to the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), in the vicinity of Millbank. Neighbouring Marsham Street framed the final gathering of the protesters, who were addressed by speakers including former minister Michael Meacher, international campaigner Vandana Shiva and Friends of the Earth Executive Director Tony Juniper.
Clare Oxborrow, Friends of the Earth GM Campaigner, stressed that the British public had made its views clear on the issue. "Tony Blair must listen, and refuse to allow GM crops to be grown in the UK. This must not be the last GM-free harvest".
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© Nick Cobbing/Friends of the Earth
