GE Free tent city to show public not on Helen's side

On Saturday October 25 at 2:30 people from all over New Zealand will converge on the grounds of Parliament for a peaceful protest against the Labour Government's determination to lift the moratorium on the commercial planting of GE crops. All of New Zealand is invited.

'The vast majority of people in New Zealand do not want GE, but that does not seem to matter to Helen Clark,' said Wellington GE-Free Coalition member Lenka Rochford

'This is a peaceful camp and we plan to stay until the Government listens to the 70% of New Zealanders who have said to keep the moratorium.'

'It seems bizarre that 300 farmers protesting against the FART tax can force the government to backflip, but when 70% of New Zealand has said it doesn't want GE, they get ignored. We want to know, whose interests are the Labour Government serving?'

The Speaker of the House, Jonathan Hunt has released a press statement in which he notes, 'I defend the privilege of anyone to protest in Parliament grounds, providing they do so in a way that observes the rights of others going about their business at Parliament and that shows respect for the grounds and buildings.'

'It is a great irony that the Speaker has precisely illustrated the necessity of the protest: the Labour Government is NOT observing the rights of others going about their business by lifting the moratorium on the commercial planting of GE crops. After 29 October, no one in this country has any right to decide if they want to be GE-Free. We will be a GE-Nation.'

'The protest is not a challenge to the Speaker's authority over Parliament grounds. But after all the scientific evidence, the marches, direct actions and campaigns, this Government is still determined to disregard democracy.'

'It must be stressed that this is a peaceful occupation. The government can change its mind and extend the moratorium. It is an easy thing to do. We hope that pride and hubris will not stand in the way of Helen Clark doing so.'

'The Government has made its position clear. Now we are making ours clear. The people of New Zealand will NEVER allow the commercial planting of GE-crops.'

© Scoop Media