QUEENS PARK, TORONTO: An estimated 80-some food rights supporters converged on Queen’s Park for a rally and food rights declaration signing today. Elisa and Michael Schmidt started things off by speaking briefly about recent developments in the ongoing raw milk saga.
Michael Schmidt speaks to the crowd, prior to the signing of today’s Food Rights Declaration, flanked by his wife Elisa and farm share member Mascha Perrone. Nov. 26th, at Queen’s Park in Toronto.
Michael then read the text of the Food Rights Declaration, which was also printed on both sides of the milk truck, which had been brought to Queen’s Park for the occasion. After that, folks were invited to sign both a smaller copy of the declaration to be presented to Premier Wynn and then the large copy on the side of the truck.
One side wasn’t big enough to hold all the signatures, so it was lucky that another copy had been affixed to the other side of the truck. Both sides were filled with signatures from the supporters in attendance. After the signing, some milk was brought out for a toast. At this point one of the security officers approached and objected that this was not in the agreement for the use of the space, and that we would have to leave. The rally wrapped up and everyone did leave, not long after that toast.
It seemed no mainstream media were in attendance, although one man was recording the event for a documentary film, and there were several people with DSLR cameras snapping pictures.
Although it wasn’t mentioned by anyone during the proceedings, the date of this Food Rights Declaration signing is not far off from the ninth anniversary of the raid on Glencolton Farms in late November of 2006.
Here are a few more photos from the day’s proceedings:
Poster mother, Mascha Perrone, on the right, standing beside her picture on the back of the truck, as requested by Michael. This was during Elisa’s introduction to the day’s programme.
Michael Schmidt reads the Food Rights Declaration to the assembled crowd.
Mascha Perrone was the first to sign the Food Rights Declaration on the truck.
Soon followed by many more signers.
Several of the many children at the rally also signed the declaration.
This girl’s family came all the way from Durham to sign the declaration.
Michael declares a toast to celebrate the signing of the Food Rights Declaration.
Group picture of those who were still around at the day’s end.
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The Bovine 
Wynne does not, will not, listen to any concerns, especially those in Rural Ontario. Whether it is about Food Freedom, Industrial Turbines or her Sex Ed agenda she and her cronies including the police will continue to run ruff shod over our rights unless we stand up and say ENOUGH!!! NO MORE BULLYING!!!!
So unfortunately be prepared for more “Raids and intimidation tactics”.
I commend you on this brave move! But, unless you lobby to get the law changed, the “raids and intimidation tactics” yes will continue, as Allan says. Simply signing a declaration saying that you are exempt from the law or creating rights for yourselves does not make it so – trust me that the regulators will completely ignore it. In most U.S. states where raw milk is legal, there are laws explicitly making it so and regulating it, including state-mandated testing standards. Same with Europe. Until you get your own laws likewise changed, you’ll always be at risk. Ask the farmers of Colorado and Vermont how they did it.
This is not about rural Ontario. These folks are mostly urbanites, from Toronto and the 905 area around it.
odd way to express it, I thought they were owners of a country farm?
“These folks” as you call them no doubt for the most part live in the greater Toronto area but the farm and farmer in the center of this dispute is in RURAL Ontario. Personally, I am glad we have such great support and understanding in the city on the foods right issue and their willingness to stand up for the farmer. It is also my hope that gradually they will also learn about other issues such as the Industrialization of Rural Ontario with Industrial Wind Turbines and stand with us against this Governments ruff shot tactics.
I do do understand how you are of the opinion that this issue is not about Rural Ontario. It is very much about us, It is Farmers that Feed Families and these particular families take this very seriously getting their food direct from that source without wanting the heavy hand of the government in their kitchen. Is this not their right?
Are you concerning my reply?
“These folks” as you call them no doubt for the most part live in the greater Toronto area but the farm in the center of this dispute is in and about RURAL Ontario. Personally, I am glad we have such great support and understanding in the city on the foods right issue and their willingness to stand up for the farmer. It is also my hope that gradually they will also learn about other issues such as the Industrialization of Rural Ontario with Industrial Wind Turbines and stand with us against this Governments ruff shot tactics.
I do not understand how you are of the opinion that this issue is not about Rural Ontario. It is very much about us, It is Farmers that Feed Families and these particular families take this very seriously getting their food direct from that source without wanting the heavy hand of the government in their kitchen..