SIXTEEN people protesting against the WTO conference in Seattle on November 30 were arrested in Halifax. Yorkchire, during a protest at a Vestle factory:
They have been charged with I(I) of the Criminal Law Act 1977in that "they conspired together with other persons to commit burglary".
Their next court appearance is on Tuesday February, 22 at Halifax Magistrates Court, Harrison Road, Hallax and si porters are asked to turn ut trom am Those arrested come from a wide selection of organisations and of Calderdale, none. Sheffield, Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham and Colne.
huany November 30 at 9am about 50 people entered the Nescle factory, climbed on the roof and up a chimney to unfuri banners aimed at the WTO. The main ban ner read, PEOPLE AND PLANET The police were called and 16 demonstrators arrested, Even the Prosecution solicitor said at their first court hearing on Tuesday7 December that the charge was over the top'. and now the police had to supply the evidence for February 22.
The charge seems ludicrous when you consider 50 people tumed up in brow daylicht with massive banners proclaiming their arrival at the Nesde factory. But if you consider what happened the following day, when jack straw announced 'three strikes and you mum prison sentence of 3 months for anyone found guilty for.a third offence of burglary, then perhaps the 'over the top' charge may seem precty reasor rable to the police!.
The protesters handed out the following leaflet to Nestle workers. many of whom clapped and cheered on the demonstrators) - The leafiet explained why Nestle is an imporcane target for anti-WTO campsign*AS frst side in large print Is ame to stop tre World SaKE prod pur pesple and planet before Second side, small print Trade ministers from around the world are gathering in Seattle today to worship at the high altar of global capitalism - the World Trade Organ.von The transnational corporations are pulling the strings to set up a world in which the power of big money "As president of the international Chamber of Commerce, Nestle upremo Heimet Mauncher used hi fuence to push for greater trade staging our protest at the Nestle fac•ry coca The grey men of the WTO regu larly pass binding judgements which outlaw ary attempts to protect the environment, improve health, promote animal welfare or help poorer "An EU ban on hormone injected beef from the US was ruled illegal.
"US laws on cleaner petrol fell foul of complaints by Venezuela *The US was not allowed to ban shrimp caught in ways which killed "The EU was prevented from providing preferential treatment to impoverished Caribbean tarmers.
gh. tí's time to put forward an alternative vision - à sociery which puts people and planet before profit • Send messages of support ti I0 Broughton Street HEBDEN BRIDGE HX7 8JY or telephone 01422 844710 for more details (ask for Penny or Billy).
Support the campaign with a donation by whang our cheques "Biscuits" and sending to the above address.
Purchase photos of the protest at Nestle showing protesters on the roof with banner - one photo costs ti plus sac po епусюро, 5 photos for 45 post free send to the above address with cheques po 'Bisculs'.