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

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."

But 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.

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

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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