GE - BAN: E.L.F. Claims Credit for MSU Fires

[GEN lists <genetics@gn.apc.org>]

URGENT NEWS ADVISORY
January 20, 2000

EARTH LIBERATION FRONT CLAIMS CREDIT FOR PROPERTY
DESTRUCTION AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY; $400,000 IN
DAMAMGES

LANSING, MI ­ The Earth Liberation Front (E.L.F.) has
claimed credit for property damage estimated at
$400,000 that occurred at Michigan State University on
December 31, 1999. 

A communiqué sent by the E.L.F. stated, “Our
destination was room 324, the offices of Catherine
Ives et al.  The project being conducted through this
office is funded by Monsanto and USAID (United States
Agency for International Development) and was designed
to not only pursue research concerning genetically
engineered sweet potatoes, corn and other crop
vegetables, but to lobby developing countries to
abandon their current agricultural practices and to
rely on genetically engineered plants and thus
corporations like Monsanto.”

The Earth Liberation Front is an international
underground organization that uses direct action to
stop the systematic exploitation and destruction of
the natural environment.       

Referring to genetic engineering and corporations who
are promoting it at the international level (such as
Monsanto), the communiqué continued, “On the eve of
the new millenium, the ELF struck back at one of the
many threats to the natural world as we know it.”

Monsanto Company, Inc. continues to fall under much
public scrutiny due to their biotechnology involvement
and general business practices.  Among their recent
patents is corn which has been genetically modified to
be "Round Up" ready.  By encouraging this type of
farming internationally it severely disrupts the food
chain from the insects who may consume plant matter
containing unknown genetic material to humans whose
health may suffer from the same.  Furthermore
Monsanto’s concern for the environment appears
nonexistent with their promotion of pesticides and
chemicals.

The communiqué ended by stating, “Local newspapers
have put the damage done to the building at $400,000,
with documents and equipment totally destroyed. 
Cremate Monsanto!  End genetic engineering!”       

This latest action by the E.L.F. occurred just four
days after the group claimed credit for burning down
the Northwest headquarters of Boise Cascade in
Monmouth, OR on December 25.  The E.L.F was also
recently responsible for the $12 million blaze which
destroyed buildings at the Vail Ski Resort in
Colorado.

Contact:

Craig Rosebraugh/E.L.F. spokesperson
(503)284-5432

*The communiqué follows on page 2

Communiqué sent by the Earth Liberation Front  



“On the eve of the new millenium, the ELF struck back
at one of the many threats to the natural world as we
know it.  On December 31, 1999 at approximately
9:00pm, the ELF entered the Agricultural Hall at
Michigan State University in Lansing, Michigan.  Our
destination was room 324, the offices of Catherine
Ives et al.  The project being conducted through this
office is funded by Monsanto and USAID and was
designed to not only pursue research concerning
genetically engineered sweet potatoes, corn and other
crop vegetables, but to lobby developing countries to
abandon their current agricultural practices and to
rely on genetically engineered plants and thus
corporations like Monsanto.  Local newspapers have put
the damage done to the building at $400,000, with
documents and equipment totally destroyed.  Cremate
Monsanto!  End G.E.! (Genetic Engineering).”


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