It's an Issue of Freedom
(November 8, 2002 - FFJ) Nine of the original 13 farmers
jailed last Thursday in Lethbridge, Alberta are no longer behind bars,
after having their fines paid over the weekend, but they are far from
free, according to Farmer’s for Justice spokespeople.
“Whether these men are still
serving time for charges stemming from protests or whether they are able
to finish their harvest and provide some sort of income for their
families, it makes no difference to the real issue,” Colleen Bianchi
said from her home in Alberta.
“Nobody wants to see farmers
in jail. Cows still need to
eat, and product still needs to get to market. You get one pay cheque a year when you are a farmer, we are all
relieved that at least some of these men are going to get a chance to
collect it.”
Bianchi’s sentiments of
relief are shared by many farm families. Two of the men were released when their fines were paid by money
raised in their home town communities. Others have been aided by the Free the Farmers fund, which is
collecting donations from across Canada.
“We have been overwhelmed
with the support we have been given,” Bianchi said. “People across the country have told us that they support these
men, and what they are trying to achieve. They understand it’s not grandstanding, even if Goodale (Minister
responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board) would like to pass it off like
that.”
“The CWB monopoly, which only
impacts grain producers in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and a small
area in BC, is wrong and has to be changed to a voluntary system.”
Bianchi continued.
“Let
western grain farmers have what eastern grain farmers already enjoy, the
right to sell their grain to the highest bidder anywhere in the world.”
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For More Information Contact:
Colleen Bianchi 403-344-4473
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