Auckland GE Free Coalition

GE Free Rally an overwhelming success

Auckland, 1st September 2001. Rain and cold failed to deter GE-free marchers in the biggest public rally seen in New Zealand for 20 years.

The “Keep New Zealand GE Free” rally in Auckland, attended by at least 10,000 people, stretched from QE2 to Aotea Square, was awash with colourful GE Free banners, costumes and placards.

“The overwhelming success of this rally has sent a very clear message to the Government. People of this country want a GE free environment and food chain. Keep GE in the lab,” said Auckland GE free Coalition spokesperson Annette Cotter.

The march started in QE 2 square and ended in Aotea square where the crowd listened to speeches by members of the Auckland GE Free Coalition. The crowd were urged to ‘get- active’, write to MPs, and declare their homes and communities GE free.

“The mobilisation of such a large number of people, from so many walks of life calling for a GE-free New Zealand cannot be ignored by the Government. The Labour Alliance government must keep NZ GE free,” said Ms Cotter.

The Alliance Party announced yesterday it wanted to extend the moratorium on field trials until they could be proved to be safe.

“Marchers from Wellington to Kaitaia and as far a field as Wanaka attended the Auckland Rally. Activities are also occurring all around the country as communities and local governments say yes to a GE free NZ,” said Cotter.

Contact Annette Cotter, 021 565 175, or Brendan Lynch 025 790 817

Notes to Editor:

Speakers at the rally included: Dr Peter Wills (Theoretical Biologist), Kay Baxter (Horticulturist), Brendan Hoare (President of the Soil and Health Association), Del Wihongi and Leone Pihama (Nga Wahine Tiaki o Te Ao), Percy Tipene (Te Waka Kai Ora), Donna Gardiner, and Annette Cotter (Greenpeace) who was also the Auckland GE Free Coalition spokesperson

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