AS OF May 5, the 14th day of our hunger strike and despite two meetings
with Agriculture Secretary Luis Lorenzo Jr., our petition for a moratorium
on the propagation and commercialization of Bt corn has not been granted
by the government.
While Sec. Lorenzo seems to be taking our arguments more seriously
now, I am disappointed that he continues to be non-committal to our
petition. The longer he postpones the moratorium, the bigger the possibility
that contamination will become more widespread, as Monsanto begins
to distribute its poison-bearing corn seeds.
I am getting weaker everyday. I cannot walk too far or stand too
long. My throat is sore. My chest aches. Dust, fumes, and noise from
the nearby eight-lane highway assail our camp-out 24 hours a day.
It is very hot during the day. It is difficult to sleep at night.
I do not know how many more days I can last.
There are times when one must make a final stand against a wrong.
For me, this is one such time. I simply cannot accept Monsanto's criminal
contamination of our beautiful land with a poison that multiplies
and spreads itself, while our government watches with smug approval.
I will continue my hunger strike, despite the increasing risk to
my health.
I release my colleagues from all responsibility for the consequences
of my decision. I have told them who will make decisions for me, in
case I am unable to do so or I lose consciousness. I absolutely forbid
any genetically-engineered product, including medicines, to be used
on me.
My I ask that a second batch of hunger strikers join the remaining
four of us in our fast.
If we fall down, please continue what we started, until victory is
finally ours.
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