Food

US embassy cable recommends drawing up list of countries for 'retaliation' over opposition to genetic modification

by John Vidal, environment editor guardian.co.uk, 3 January 2011

The US embassy in Paris wanted to penalise the EU after France moved to ban a Monsanto GM corn variety.
The US embassy in Paris advised Washington to start a military-style trade war against any European Union country which opposed genetically modified (GM) crops, newly released WikiLeaks cables show.

In response to moves by France to ban a Monsanto GM corn variety in late 2007, the ambassador, Craig Stapleton, a friend and business partner of former US president George Bush, asked Washington to penalise the EU and particularly countries which did not support the use of GM crops.

Please join Seattle's Community Alliance for Global
Justice CAGJ in
responding to the Via Campesina's world wide call for action on

Saturday 17 April 2010 - the International Day of Peasant Struggle

Noon Saturday April 17th

Where: University District Farmer's Market

CAGJ is planning street theater to commemorate the International Day of
Peasant Struggle on April 17th.  Via Campesina encourages organizations
around the world to take action and unite against corporate control of
the
global food system.

Through street theater, which will be filmed and posted online, we will
be
educating the community about the links between the Gates Foundation,

Global Perspectives on Finance,
Development, and Environment

We will host a series of community discussions, each one preceded by an informative meeting, on the causes of the economic crisis and a variety of proposals to deal with it. The 12-part series will occur on a variety of days
(both weeknights and weekend days) over a period of 9 weeks from approximately mid-February to late April. The topics will flow logically from one session to the next to create a comprehensive series, but each session will also stand alone so you can participate in those that suit your schedule.

December 17, 2009

Some of these Monsanto-linked appointments are further proof of how dangerous it is to elect a president who the American people trust. The public is deep asleep while a democrat administration legalizes extraordinary rendition, drone bombings of Pakistan, increases in private mercenary warfighting with taxpayer dollars as well as keeping and legalizing civil liberty curtailments of the bush administration. Pandora's box is open and hope is obscuring it's evil outpourings.    -Rick 

By Richard Boudreaux | Chicago Tribune March 22, 2009

HATZOR HAGLILIT, Israel — - First came the employees, shortchanged two months' pay and laid off by the supermarket called God's Blessing. They plundered their shuttered workplace, helping themselves to crates full of groceries.

As word spread through the small town, the store's jilted creditors joined in. They dismantled the light fixtures, ripped out wiring and absconded with the cash registers, even as television cameras rolled.

Within hours the parking lot was jammed with ordinary shoppers. They left car engines running and brought their children to help pick the shelves clean. Finally even the shelves were hauled away, leaving latecomers to scrounge for leftover fruit.

Libcom.org March 7, 2009

Union leaders on the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe have agreed to end a 44-day-old general strike after most of their demands were met.

The announcement came after the LKP collective signed a deal with officials and business owners to raise workers' pay and lower the cost of basic goods. Negotiations are continuing in nearby Martinique over a similar stoppage.

By Grace Lee Boggs In These Times February 17, 2009.

Indybay.org Feb. 23, 2009

People of the Valley,

Everywhere the desert of capital expands – we offer an oasis to drink from.

Feb, 17, 2009

BASSE-TERRE, Guadeloupe (AP)– The French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe was on the verge of rebellion, a political leader said Tuesday after stone-throwing protesters set cars and buildings ablaze, forced the international airport to close and clashed with police.

Nearly four weeks of work stoppages and demonstrations for lower prices and higher pay have caused thousands of tourists to flee or cancel holidays on the normally tranquil island, prompting many hotels to close and cruise ships to head elsewhere.

By RODOLPHE LAMY, Associated Press

FORT-DE-FRANCE, Martinique – Strikes that have nearly frozen everyday life on France's Caribbean islands burst into clashes on Monday as police battled protesters angry at high prices and resentful of a tiny white elite on lands better known for beach-side vacations.

February 10, 2009

Martinique enters its 6th day of protest over high prices, no agreement reached

FORT-DE-FRANCE, Martinique (AP) -- University students and artisans in the French Caribbean island of Martinique are protesting the high cost of living.

All major commercial centers, gas stations and businesses remained closed on Tuesday as the protest entered its sixth day.

Government officials have met with protesters, who demand a 30 percent overall reduction in prices. Union leaders have said they would agree to a 10 percent reduction among some products. No agreement has been reached.

Updated Dec 3, 2008 PGA North America

Subway, the third largest fast-food chain in the world and the biggest fast-food buyer of Florida tomatoes, reached an agreement yesterday morning (12/2) with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers to help improve wages and working conditions for the workers who pick their tomatoes!

Oct 28, 2008

Received this urgent request from a PGA comrade working in Paraguay
against the violent invasion by "bio-fuel"and agribusiness soja. Even
just an e-mail campaign can help, especially with the new governement
there.

Obviously, if some places could do more than that...
O. SOLIDARITY ACTION TO STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST PEASANT COMMUNITIES IN PARAGUAY
Peasant organisations are resisting against the beginning of the GM
soya season all over the country of Paraguay. They demand access to
land, land reform and the stop of the pesticide spraying which
impacts on their communities. Despite the new government, many camps
have been evicted and violence has taken place: 2 leaders have been