Michael Schmidt to be sentenced Friday Nov. 25 on raw milk charges from 2006

From a news release sent out today:

Farmer Michael Schmidt at yesterday's food rights rally at Queen's Park.

On September 28th, 2011, Justice Peter Tetley reversed a lower court decision, on appeal from the Province, finding Michael guilty of 15 charges arising from a raid on his Durham area farm, on November 23rd 2006.

The court acquittal which this decision reversed was handed down in January 2010 and was hailed by food rights activists across the continent for its recognition of consumers’ right to engage in private cowshare contracts with farmers.

Since his acquittal, Michael Schmidt has become a leading figure in North America for his raw milk and food rights advocacy. Michael has intervened in raw milk cases in B.C. and Alberta, and developed a training and certification program for farmers, Cow Share Canada.

Cross Country raw milk check up cont’d — more November 23rd rally results

More new from yesterday’s raw milk rallies across the country:

At least four people took to the streets of Saskatoon with these colourful posters.

I’m sure there must have been more to the Saskatoon rally than that, but we seem to be in a bit of a news blackout just now. We’d love to know more of what went on. Anyone? Email thebovine AT gmx DOT com. Thanks!

Michael Schmidt sentencing tomorrow

From Michael’s lawyer, Karen Selick (“reprinted” from earlier):

Raw milk farmer Michael Schmidt with lawyer Karen Selick of the Canadian Constitution Foundation, seen here at a Queen's Park news conference from February 2010

The sentencing hearing for Michael Schmidt will take place on Friday, November 25, 2011 at 9:30 a.m.

Raw milk rally gets a warm reception at legislature in Victoria, British Columbia

This just in from Nadine Ijaz in Victoria:

Victoria, B.C., where MLAs not only come to speak at your rally and pet your cows, but they also post pictures of the proceedings on Facebook. This picture was posted by B.C. MLA Nicholas Simons. It shows the cow Shelby, with MLAs Lana Popham and Jenny Kwan outside the Legislature.

A couple of things – media wise, I believe we were on CTV Victoria on the 5 pm news last night, and I was interviewed yesterday morning by CFAX Victoria radio at 6.22 am, and on CBC Radio One Victoria (‘On the Island’) at 8.20 am.  We have some coverage in today’s Times Colonist in Victoria, on p. 3 I believe (have yet to see it myself).  I am busy with many things today so don’t know how much time I’ll have to try to grab all of these links but thought I’d pass them on.

Video from Nov. 23 Food Freedom Day rally at Queen’s Park in Toronto

Thanks to Margo McIntosh for bringing these videos by Andrew Kohl to our attention:

Food Freedom Day Toronto rally part 2

More photos from yesterday’s Toronto rally at Queen’s Park, along with an excerpt from Margo McIntosh’s post about the day’s events on her “Balance Your Apple” blog:

Of course everyone was glad to see and hear from Michael Schmidt, who ended his 37 day hunger strike a couple of weeks ago and who has since gradually started eating again.

“….Many of us are waking up to the benefits of raw milk and many people right across Canada came together today to rally for the freedom to choose this real food without government intervention.  

Raw milk rallies coast to coast on Nov 23 “Food Freedom Day” in Canada

Thanks to all the contributors; we’re still hoping to hear from a few more cities:

Raw milk and cookies; so good, so illegal -- from Victoria B.C. Photo: Kemal Holubeshen

First three Victoria pictures are from the Facebook album of  Kemal Holubeshen

From co-organizer of the Victoria rally, Nadine Ijaz: “Some pics from our Victoria BC Food Freedom Rally today at the Legislature, with Shelby the cow with Kerry Van Wiltenburg, Shakti the cow with herdshare farmer Jan Steinman, four MLAS (Lana Popham, Jenny Kwan, Mike Farnworth and Nicholas Simons), local activists including Nadine E. Ijaz and Jackie Ingram, and about 85 others. Plus two public health officials filming Jan Steinman as he openly engages in civil disobedience by milking his goat and sharing the milk with a shareholder. We are hopeful on the Coast.