> Dear all,
>
> SIXTEEN people protesting against the WTO conference in Seattle, last
> Tuesday, 30.11.99, were arrested in Halifax, Yorkshire, during a
> protest at a Nestle factory.
>
> They have been charged with-
>
> 'Statutory conspiracy - wording for most offences (099/99 H2007).
> Contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977. Between Sunday
> 28th November 1999 and Tuesday 30th November 1999 at West Yorkshire
> conspired together with other persons to commit burglary'.
>
> Their next court appearance is on Tuesday 22 February, 2000. Halifax
> Magistrates Court, Harrison Road, Halifax.
>
> We wish to have a large turnout of support for the 'Nestle 16' as they
> have become known. Please, get to the court from 9.30am onward and bring
> banners and placards, and please forward this email to as many people
> and organisations as possible.
>
> BACKGROUND TO THE ARRESTS
>
> Those arrested come from a wide selection of organisations and of none.
> They come from Calderdale, Sheffield, Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham and
> Colne.
>
> On Tuesday 30 November at 9am about 50 people entered the Nestle factory
> and climb on a roof and up a chimney to unfurl banners aimed at the WTO.
> Their main banner read, 'PEOPLE AND PLANET BEFORE PROFIT'. In short the
> police were called and 16 demonstrators arrested. The demonstration was
> non-violent direct action.
>
> They were formally charged with, 'conspiracy to commit burglary'. Even
> the Prosecution solicitor said at their first court hearing on Tuesday 7
> December that the charge was 'over the top', and now the police had to
> supply the evidence for February 22nd.
>
> The charge seems ludicrous when you consider 50 people turned up in
> broad daylight with massive banners proclaiming their arrival at the
> Nestle factory. But if you consider what happened the following day,
> when Jack Straw announced 'three strikes and you are out' for burglary,
> with a minimum prison sentence of 3 months for anyone found guilty for
> a third offence of burglary, then perhaps the 'over the top' charge may
> seem pretty reasonable to the police!
>
> The protesters handed out the following leaflet to Nestle workers (many
> of whom clapped and cheered on the demonstrators) -
>
> A5 first side in large print
>
> It's time to stop the
> W orld
> T ake
> O ver
>
> and put people and planet before profit.
>
> Second side, small print -
>
> 'Trade ministers from around the world are gathering in Seattle today to
> worship at the high altar of global capitalism - the World Trade
> Organisation. The transnational corporations are pulling the strings to
> set up a world in which the power of big money reigns supreme.
>
> 'As president of the International Chamber of Commerce, Nestle supremo
> Helmet Mauncher used his influence to push for greater trade
> liberalisation - that's why we are staging our protest at the Nestle
> factory today.
>
> 'The grey men of the WTO regularly pass binding judgements which outlaw
> any attempts to protect the environment, improve health, promote animal
> welfare or help poorer nations.
>
> 'An EU ban on hormone injected beef from the US was ruled illegal.
> US laws on cleaner petrol fell foul of complaints by Venezuela.
> The US was not allowed to ban shrimp caught in ways which killed
> turtles.
>
> The EU was prevented from providing preferential treatment to
> impoverished Caribbean farmers.
>
> 'We say enough is enough. It's time to put forward an alternative vision
> - a society which puts people and planet before profit' ENDS.
>
> What you can do -
>
> Forward this email
> Turn up to the court on 22 February
> Send messages of support to
> The Nestle 16
> 10 Broughton Street
> HEBDEN BRIDGE
> West Yorkshire
> HX7 8JY
> or telephone 01422 844710 for more details (ask for Penny or Billy).
> Support the campaign with a donation by writing out cheques to
> 'Biscuits' and sending to the above address.
> Purchase photos of the protest at Nestle showing protesters on the roof
> with banner - one photo costs £1 plus sae A5 envelope, or 5 photos for
> £5 post free (excellent for xmas/festive cards), send to the above
> address with cheques to 'Biscuits'.
>
> The campaign against the WTO continues.......