The strength of our union movement rests on this determination to mobilize free individuals who accept all the consequences of their acts...
Jos� Bov� was among 10 anti-GM activists arrested yesterday after a violent clash with police during a protest in the country's southwest.
The 400 activists had aimed to rip up a crop of genetically modified corn in the village of Solomiac in the Gers region, but were stopped by a large group of police and soldiers, who barricaded the field.
Police used tear gas and batons to fight back the protesters as they tried to storm the field, with women and children in the lead. Two police officers and two demonstrators were injured.
Mr Bove, a high-profile anti-globalisation campaigner who spent six weeks in jail last year for destroying GM crops, was released after two hours of questioning.
Nine other people were briefly held for questioning.
"What we need is a national debate and a referendum," Mr Bove said, charging that the French authorities were resorting to violence in an "admission of weakness", instead of tackling the issues at stake.
The Australian/AFP 07.Sep.04
"Jour apr�s jour"
Le Nouvel Observateur
