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Jonny cycles through Edinburgh on anti-gm pilgrimage

ab | 05.10.2003 14:21 | Bio-technology | Ecology

Jonny Barton cycled through Edinburgh on a fresh autumn Sunday morning on his pilgrimage from Inverness for a demonstration on the 13th of October in London, pulling a coffin behind him for the whole way.

The progress of Jonnys journey can be followed via his website.Map of his planned tour, by Sheffield IMC.

2 activists from Totness,see Westcountry Indymedia are on the way, and 2 other activists have been [ 1,2] passing by Bayer and Monsanto, reported on Cambridge Indymedia. In total 20 pilgrims, including 73 years old Mary Keynes, are cycling or walking to London to raise awareness for the issue of GM food and crops and to participate in the Tractor and Trolley Demonstration.

For more background information: [Bio-technology special page,LABB leaflet, Biotech Indymedia].

Jonny arrives at Usher Hall
Jonny arrives at Usher Hall

the LABB group
the LABB group

Mark Ballard (MSP) center, talks to other grassroot anti-GM campaigners
Mark Ballard (MSP) center, talks to other grassroot anti-GM campaigners

preparing for the bicycle trip to Carlops with Jonny - memorising the route
preparing for the bicycle trip to Carlops with Jonny - memorising the route

the cyclists assemble
the cyclists assemble

everyone was eager to take off, so speeches were scrapped
everyone was eager to take off, so speeches were scrapped

the group is impatiently waiting for its take-off
the group is impatiently waiting for its take-off

pushing off to Calops/Peebles/Jedburgh
pushing off to Calops/Peebles/Jedburgh

Jonny rolling off- the coffin is hand-made by him!
Jonny rolling off- the coffin is hand-made by him!


Jonny states:
"My reasons for doing this green pilgrimage are several: I am publicly showing my support for a sustainable and GM-Free Britain along with many in Scotland and the rest of the British Isles who want the same,whether or not they are travelling to London like me;
I am joining in the national mass rally in London on the 13th of October but on the way am visiting communities and public places to raise awareness of the Green Gloves Pledge to take direct action if the GM crops are legalised this year in the UK;
Thirdly this journey is a celebration of the success of the anti-GM campaign by ordinary people in Britain."
[Jonnys full statement]

About 20 people met at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh to support and accompany Jonny on his cycle ride to London, by joining todays part of the tour to Calops/Jedburgh.
Present were several initiatives including Spokes (Lothian Cycle Campaign) and LABB (Lothian and Borders Biocheck) handing out information material about GM modified crops and biotechnology.

On Sunday, Jonny was starting off at Queensferry in the morning, meeting up got a bit delayed by 2 punctures to be fixed by Jonny for continuing his trip, so everybody was eager to push off and media interviews and speeches got cut in favour to achieve the set goal for the day.

On Thursday, Jonny reached Sheffield, having difficulties with his knee.

For more background information about GM check out these websites:
[Lothian Cycle Campaign, GM-Free Scotland, statement by "Friends of the Earth" about the governments policy on GM-food, Lothian and Borders Biocheck]

ab

Comments

Display the following 3 comments

  1. Good Work Jonny — Joseph Gelfer
  2. Hey! this ride might spread superweeds!! — ram
  3. Huh — bc