Wednesday 27th January 1999 PRESS RELEASE Captured on film: First arrests in Britain for uprooting Genetically Engineered crops Today January 27th 1999, genetiX snowball releases ‘Rolling the snowball …’, a film documenting the first genetiX snowball action on July 4th 1998 when five women were arrested for uprooting genetically engineered (GE) plants at a Monsanto trial site in Oxfordshire. The film, available as a video tape, shows the women as they set out for the site; uproot the plants despite the heavy police presence (including a helicopter); and their subsequent arrest. The women share their hopes and fears for the action and describe their motivations. The aim of the film is to inspire and inform. The film begins with the women setting out by minibus to the trial site and shows them walking onto the site with a wheelbarrow containing tools, protective clothing, bags to dispose of the GE plants and an apple tree to plant as a symbol of transformation. The women put on their protective clothing and start uprooting the genetically engineered plants despite the presence of Thames Valley Police. When Police warn the women they may be arrested one of them insists that the Police are arresting the wrong people; they should arrest Monsanto as they are the ones breaking the law, by damaging non GE crops by cross pollination. The Police look on in puzzlement as the women continue to uproot the genetically engineered plants. As the Media arrive one of the women gives an impromptu press conference explaining their motives and the campaign’s aim of a five year moratorium on the release of GE crops. After removing almost 200 plants the women are arrested. The film ends with the slamming of a police van door and shouts of defiance from the women as they are taken away. The story is interspersed with interviews and voice-overs of the women including extracts from one of the statements written prior to the action and left at the site. The interviews with the women emphasize the importance of working together in a small mutually supporting group, an affinity group as its known. Kathryn Tulip, one of the five women, in an interview on the film says “I’m willing to risk the possibility of a criminal record and imprisonment as this issue is so important to me. And the only way it is possible for me to do that is to be part of a group of people who I trust and support me” Melanie Jarman, another of the five women, in an interview on the film says “Look at the way politics is working at an international level. Genetics for me is symbolic of all of those things; about control and decision making being in the hands of a small number of people, very profit driven people” The film ‘Rolling the snowball …’, which lasts six minutes is the most comprehensive film of the action to date. The film uses footage shot by award winning film maker Zoe Broughton, who had exclusive access to the campaigners throughout the action. Other footage was provided by freelance film maker Ben Edwards who arrived on site with the media. Part of the footage has been broadcast nationally and international on prime time news, and in features and documentaries. Copies of the film are also circulating in Europe, North America and India. The film was produced by Bristol based film makers I-Contact, who produce films on community based and social change issues. Media liaison: Andrew Wood telephone: 0973 953 446 or page: 097654 247 502 ENDS Editors Notes [1] The film ‘Rolling the snowball …’ is available to the public on VHS video tape by mail order from the genetiX snowball office: genetiX snowball, One World Centre, 6 Mount Street, Manchester, . Price £3.50 (including postage and packing). If you require copies of the film for broadcast then call freelance film maker Zoe Broughton: 0961 181 576 [2] The film is one of a number of resources available from genetiX snowball. The genetiX snowball ‘Handbook action’, a comprehensive 115 page manual is available price £3.50 from the genetiX snowball office. A Web-site with the Handbook and an archive of material, including press releases can be viewed at: http://www.gn.apc.org/pmhp/gs Picture Editors Notes [1] 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. The film ‘Rolling the snowball …’ was shot on DVC but is available on all formats. For a broadcast quality version of the film contact 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