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Disease-Free Living Through Fitness and Nutrition

ARTICLES

Genetically Engineered Foods

E-Mail Chat with V. N. Concerning
ALABAMA GRANDMOTHERS ARRESTED FOR CAMPAIGNING AGAINST GENETICALLY ENGINEERED FOODS

Subj: Re: Alabama Grandmothers Arrested for Campaigning Against GE Foods:

Date: 10/27/02 9:17:04 AM Pacific Standard Time

To: GMCoffey

Wow! You GO girl!!!

What a great example you set for us all :-)

Did they actually 'take you in'?

Gerry's Reply

Indeed they did, V., and I have to confess I was a bit anxious for awhile. We were put into the back of a police car with no seats (presumably so dangerous criminals like us can't tear them up), the broadcast of the Alabama/LSU game blaring so loudly we could barely hear each other.

They'd taken our purses and the GE literature we had with us and I was already beginning to feel akin to a criminal with no rights when the policeman yelled back at us: "WHEN YOU'RE CONTACTED BY THE PRESS I WANT YOU TO GET ONE THING STRAIGHT!"

I yelled back to please turn off the radio so we could hear him. He said he'd lower it but sure didn't plan to turn it off. "I WANT YOU TO MAKE SURE THEY SPELL MY NAME RIGHT," he bellowed!

I could hardly believe my ears. This man who'd been screaming at me about violating the law, and scolding me when I told him repeatedly of all the efforts I had taken to work with the store management, now wanted us to be sure we got his name spelled right if the media contacted us!

My literal "partner-in-crime," 79 year-old Jean Tune, was really beginning to panic when we were told it would take a $500 fine to bail us out of jail and then we'd still have to go to Court. She said she'd already mortgaged all she owned to start the Community Assisted Agricultural (CSA) Program and didn't even have that much money left in her banking account.

I had already begun to wonder if I had taken leave of my senses by innocently agreeing to help coordinate this event in conjunction with the National Supermarket Campaign Week of Action sponsored by GREENPEACE which, I felt, complimented Jean's CSA Project. The others who were with us said they couldn't stay because they were scheduled to host the CSA meeting at the library, but Jean said she would support me in whatever I chose to do.

So not only was I responsible for my own precarious situation, the record of this fine, upstanding member of the community was also at stake.

I suddenly realized I still had my Cell phone in my pocket and wondered if I dared take a chance on calling my husband to abreast him of this unexpected debacle. If I did the policeman might hear me and take away my one link with the outside world. If I didn't they would probably search me and remove it once I got to the Police Station.

"A bird in the hand..." I took my chances and punched in the numbers to call my spouse, and thankfully he answered. "They've arrested us and are taking us to the police station," I said, in what I thought was a hushed tone.

"YOU STILL GOT A CELL PHONE????" the officer bellowed. "GIVE IT TO ME RIGHT NOW," he insisted, reaching back through the opening. I refused, and contemplated jumping out of the car but knowing it was futile. The doors were locked from up front, and besides, there would be police cars swarming all over the place once he turned in the alarm. Where would I hide?

"IF YOU DON'T GIVE IT TO ME RIGHT NOW I'M GOING TO PULL OVER AND TAKE IT FROM YOU," he threatened.

Jean pleaded with me to give it him. "You can get it back later, Gerry." I considered my options, realized I had none, and meekly placed it in his hand.

It was a very eventful day.

Gerry

V. N.'s Reply

Proud to 'know' you!

V.N. ~

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