Police remove anti-gm demonstrators from Allianz Insurance offices in London
Andrew Wood | 14.10.2003 13:20 | Bio-technology | London
This morning, Tuesday 14 October, at 9.30am fifteen demonstrators, including some dressed as a corn cob and a cow, occupied the offices of Allianz Insurance[1]. Police were called and all but one of the demonstrators was removed about twenty minutes after the occupation began. One of the demonstrators met with a Director of Allianz and the demonstration ended peacefully without any arrests.
Tuesday 14 October
Press Release
Police remove anti-gm demonstrators from Allianz Insurance offices in London
This morning, Tuesday 14 October, at 9.30am fifteen demonstrators, including some dressed as a corn cob and a cow, occupied the offices of Allianz Insurance[1]. Police were called and all but one of the demonstrators was removed about twenty minutes after the occupation began. One of the demonstrators met with a Director of Allianz and the demonstration ended peacefully without any arrests.
Ann Jones, representing the demonstrators spoke with Martin Quigley, Director Claims and Client Services about their concerns. He agreed to report to the company’s headquarters in Germany and conceded that if an appointment had been requested by the demonstrators then it probably won’t have been granted.
Banners and music was played outside of the offices as the meeting between the company representative and Ann Jones was taking place.
A green glove was presented to Allianz, representing the intention of hundreds of people around the country to pull up GM crops if they are commercialised[2]. Anne Taylor explained this would seriously undermine Bayer's ability to profit from the sale of GM seeds and could have a detrimental impact on investors like Allianz.
Anna Jones, who took part in the occupation, said
"The Government's own public debate concluded that 86% of Britons do not want GM crops and the Government's own economic and scientific reviews showed that GM offers none of the benefits claimed by the biotech industry. With the known risks of cross-contamination and no liability in place we are here to warn Allianz that, in the current climate, investing in biotech companies is economically unviable."
Contact: Anne Jones 07810-638818
Editors Notes
[1] Allianz are the largest corporate shareholders of Bayer, who produce genetically modified crops including maize, often used to feed dairy cattle.
[2] For further details of the Green Gloves Pledge see
http://www.greengloves.org
Picture Editor Notes
Video footage of the occupation is available from freelance film maker Ben Leary on 07956 334 831
Press Release
Police remove anti-gm demonstrators from Allianz Insurance offices in London
This morning, Tuesday 14 October, at 9.30am fifteen demonstrators, including some dressed as a corn cob and a cow, occupied the offices of Allianz Insurance[1]. Police were called and all but one of the demonstrators was removed about twenty minutes after the occupation began. One of the demonstrators met with a Director of Allianz and the demonstration ended peacefully without any arrests.
Ann Jones, representing the demonstrators spoke with Martin Quigley, Director Claims and Client Services about their concerns. He agreed to report to the company’s headquarters in Germany and conceded that if an appointment had been requested by the demonstrators then it probably won’t have been granted.
Banners and music was played outside of the offices as the meeting between the company representative and Ann Jones was taking place.
A green glove was presented to Allianz, representing the intention of hundreds of people around the country to pull up GM crops if they are commercialised[2]. Anne Taylor explained this would seriously undermine Bayer's ability to profit from the sale of GM seeds and could have a detrimental impact on investors like Allianz.
Anna Jones, who took part in the occupation, said
"The Government's own public debate concluded that 86% of Britons do not want GM crops and the Government's own economic and scientific reviews showed that GM offers none of the benefits claimed by the biotech industry. With the known risks of cross-contamination and no liability in place we are here to warn Allianz that, in the current climate, investing in biotech companies is economically unviable."
Contact: Anne Jones 07810-638818
Editors Notes
[1] Allianz are the largest corporate shareholders of Bayer, who produce genetically modified crops including maize, often used to feed dairy cattle.
[2] For further details of the Green Gloves Pledge see
http://www.greengloves.org Picture Editor Notes
Video footage of the occupation is available from freelance film maker Ben Leary on 07956 334 831
Andrew Wood
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