Activists to Confront Novartis/Syngenta in a Day Of Action against Biotech

Submitted by Angry MOB (MN Opposing Biotech):

Local Activists And Concerned Citizens Declare Syngenta a Biohazard in Solidarity With San Diego BIODEV Protests

Local activists will meet for a day of action a Syngenta Seeds regional corporate headquarters located at 7500 Olson Memorial Highway beginning at 9:00am. People plan to maintain a presence all day.

Syngenta Seeds was spun-off from Novartis in 2000. Novartis was one of the first companies to venture into biotechnology research in the year 1980, becoming the first company to sell genetically modified corn in the US in the year 1995.

The year 2000 was also the year Novartis was exposed for its pig to baboon organ transplant experiments in England's Huntingdon Life Sciences, one of the world's largest contract animal research facilities. Over 10,000 baboons and pigs died horribly in these experiments. Documents released revealed over 520 falsifications of data as well as countless violations of animal care laws.

Activists and concerned citizens from a wide breadth of issues - from anti-biotechnology to animal rights - have come together to declare Novartis/Syngenta a biohazard. Novartis/Syngenta's connections to Huntingdon, as well as its sponsorship of both the WTO and the current BIODEV conferences in San Diego have been the catalyst for this coalition.

"Novartis/Syngenta has its tentacles buried deep in just about every type of detestable business practice," proclaims Thomas Addo, an event orgainizer. "Their connections to the biotech industry, their use of Huntingdon Life Sciences, and thier sponsorship of the WTO prove that Novartis/Syngenta has no regard for the earth, its people, or its animals. The fact that all of these different 'movements' can come together is an example of how each of our struggles is ultimately one. Novartis/Syngenta will be stopped."
ORGANIZERS CALL FOR A PHONE/FAX/EMAIL BLOCKADE:

Can’t make it but would still like to help out? There ’s plenty you can do! Throughout the day organizers are calling for a phone/fax/email blockade of Novartis Seeds. Contact Novartis and tell them what you think about their policy of profits over the well being of our planet. Call Novartis at (763)593-7333, Fax Novartis at (763)542-0194, Email some of the US management team working in the area at the following addresses: dave.jessen@syngenta.com, karen.gallivan@syngenta.com, ed.resler@syngenta.com, or jerry.hoeh@syngenta.com. Let’s shut them down Completely!!


For more information see www.shacusa.net and www.minneapolis.indymedia.org