Fingers get to do the marching

By JO-MARIE BROWN

New Zealanders fighting to keep GM in laboratories have held rallies, waved placards and signed petitions - apparently to no avail. But now people can let their fingers do the marching.

A "virtual" protest was launched yesterday with the aim of encouraging one million Kiwis to send text messages or use the internet to dissuade the Government from lifting the moratorium on commercial release of GM organisms on October 29.

Those behind the Take 5 campaign say they are neither for nor against genetic modification - but they want the moratorium extended for another five years while more evidence is gathered about the impact GM will have on people and the environment.

The organisers - brand-marketing consultant Greg Menendez and Lisa's Healthy Foods chief executive, Lisa Er - hope the idea will appeal to people who would not normally draw placards and head for the streets.

"We're all too busy to get up and attend a march but we're not too busy to text," Mr Menendez said.

"We want to create a virtual march of a million New Zealanders that will make the Government sit up and listen to the strength of feeling for extending the GM moratorium."

Mr Menendez said he not organised protest action before, but felt passionately about the issue. He also questioned what had happened to democracy in New Zealand.

"Prime Minister Helen Clark and this Government seem to be hell-bent on rushing this move through. We believe there is a better way to manage the decisions around any GM release in New Zealand and a better way for New Zealanders to have their say," he said.

About 50,000 postcards will be distributed, explaining how to participate in the protest.

Billboards will feature a baby's picture beside the words "rug rat or lab rat?"

All votes and additional comments received would be compiled on to a CD-Rom and presented to Helen Clark next month.

Take5