Friday 18th December 1998
 PRESS RELEASE

Web site launched for genetiX snowball 
camapaign
Browse http://www.gn.apc.org/pmhp/gs

Today Friday 18th December 1998 genetiX snowball’s web site 
officially goes on-line. The web site not only documents the 
campaign to date but includes resources for groups and individuals 
who wish to take nonviolent direct action against genetically 
engineered crops including a complete copy of the ‘Handbook for 
Action’[1]. The genetiX snowball site is part of the Environmental 
Activist Web site (http://www.gn.apc.org/pmhp), which carries 
many government documents that are normally difficult to access.

The genetiX snowball site features several sections including:

Media:  A comprehensive set of over thirty press releases from the 
launch of the campaign on July 4th 1998 when five women openly and 
accountably uprooted genetically engineered crops at a Monsanto 
demonstration site [2].

Personal Statements:.  A selection of personal statements detailing 
individuals reasons for risking arrest and prosecution by taking action.  
Copies of these statements were left at the site of the genetiX snowball 
actions.

Hand book for Action:  The web version includes the complete text 
together with photographs and illustrations from the 115 page 
Handbook for Action.  It describes the motivation and inspiration for 
the genetiX snowball campaign; setting out the campaign's ground 
rules of safety, nonviolence, openness and accepting the consequences 
of direct action.  A legal briefing includes arrest procedures, possible 
charges, trial, financial and custodial penalties.  The differing roles of 
participants are documented in the handbook with advice and guidance 
e.g. police and farmer liaison, media liaison, action observing etc.  How 
to find GM crop sites and identify crops are also covered. Inspiring 
poetry, over eighty illustrations, photographs from three of the four 
genetiX snowball actions to date make the handbook a ‘pleasure to 
read’.

Discussion forum:  Discussion of different methods of taking action; 
accountable actions, like genetiX snowball and covert action 
(previously published in Peace News).

Articles and personal accounts:  From the four genetiX snowball 
actions to date, written by journalists or those taking part.

Gallery of Photographs:  Photographs taken from the first four actions 
as well as photographs of campaigners at the High Court.

Legal:  Includes the text of the injunctions obtained by Monsanto, the 
damages claim and the snowballer’s defence.

The genetiX snowball website occupies almost 3 megabytes of disk 
space.  The ‘Handbook for Action’ may be downloaded and is designed 
to fits a single 1.44 megabyte floppy disk. The Environmental Activist 
web site was one of the first to include details from the public register 
for Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO), which gives the location 
of GMO releases to the environment.

 Press liaison: 
Andrew Wood telephone: 0973 953 446  or 
page: 097654 247 502.

Web site designer/administrator (Paul Mobbs):

ENDS

Editors Notes

[1] See genetiX snowball press release of November 26th 1998 entitled 
‘Parliamentary launch of genetics action handbook’ and subsequent 
release dated December 10th 1998 entitled ‘Labour M.P backs genetiX 
snowball’s call for a five year moratorium on genetically modified 
(GM) crops’.

[2] See genetiX snowball press release of July 4th 1998 entitled ‘First 
arrests in Britain for pulling up genetically engineered crops’.

Picture Editors Notes

[1] Contact freelance photographer Rob Todd for photographs of the 
launch which show Melanie Jarman of genetiX snowball and Alan 
Simpson M.P. holding an A1 size copy of the front of the Handbook 
and various gardening tools similar to those used on genetiX snowball 
actions.  Video footage on Hi-8 also available.

[2] Photographs of genetiX snowball actions are available on ImageNet 
under the David Hoffman or ISF sections. David Hoffman: 0181 981 
5041. ISF: 01628 542 554.  The David Hoffman photo library carries 
copies of photographs from the first genetiX snowball action on 4th July 
1998.  Video footage of the first genetiX snowball action on July 4th 
1998 by five women in Oxfordshire available on DVC /Beta/ VHS 
format from award winning film maker Zoe Broughton on: 0961 181 
576
genetiX snowball 
A campaign of nonviolent civil responsibility
One World Centre, 6 Mount Street, Manchester M2 5NS Tel: 0161 834 0295  Fax: 0161 834 8187
Browse: http://www.gn.apc.org/pmhp/gs 	       Press liaison: Andrew Wood 0973 953 446 or page 07654 247502