Press Release: Dunedin Coalition for a GE Free Environment. 02/10/01.

GE FREE MARCH UP GEORGE ST

Next Saturday, the 6th of October, the Dunedin Coalition for a GE Free Environment is participating in a national day of action for a GE Free Future. The organisation is inviting concerned members of the community to a rally in the Octagon, and a march along George St.

Various prominent speakers, including Dunedin Mayor Sukhi Turner, will discuss the benefits of New Zealand being declared GE Free. The rally will begin at 11.30am.

"Central government will release their decision on the future of Genetic Engineering on the 31st of October, and Dunedin City Councillors will soon be presented with a petition calling for Dunedin to be officially designated a GE Free Zone. Now is the time to show your support for a GE Free New Zealand." Said Duncan Eddy, convenor of the Dunedin Coalition for GE Environment, and co ordinator of the event. A recent GE Free march in Queen St in Auckland attracted over 10,000 supporters.

"After the massive turnout to the Auckland March, we decided to coordinate a similar event in Dunedin. New Zealanders are generally considered an apathetic bunch, but obviously not when it comes to Genetic Engineering."

The Dunedin Coalition for a GE Free Environment formed following the release of the Royal Commission report on Genetic Modification. The Coalition is made up of a number of local groups, including, , Physicans and Scientists for Responsible Genetics, Consumers for Education About Genetic Engineering The Green Party, Students for Environmental Action, the Wild Greens the Dunedin Environment Centre, and various other concerned groups and individuals.

"We have decided that this event should be inclusive of a wide range of perspectives of opposition to Genetic Engineering. The Coalition has formally dedided to take the same stance as the Green Party, i.e, keep GE in the labs and out of our environment. However, this event is open to GE Free supporters with different angles than ours. We invite people to bring their own slogans and placards."

For more information contact: Duncan Eddy ph: 025 719 139

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