SIXTEEN people protesting against the WTO conference in Seattle on November 30 were arrested in Halifax, Yorkshire, during a protest at a Nestle factory. They are up in court on Tuesday February 22 at Halifax Magistrates Court, Harrison Road, Halifax and a picket is being held there in their support. In London we also want to show our solidarity and raise the same message as their first protest. Come and join us.

The sixteen have been charged with 'Statutory conspiracy' under section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977 in that "they conspired together with other persons to commit burglary'".

Those arrested come from a wide selection of organisations and of none. They come from Calderdale, Sheffield, Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham and Colne.

On Tuesday November 30 at 9am about 50 people entered the Nestle factory, climbed on the roof and up a chimney to unfurl banners aimed at the WTO. The main banner read : 'PEOPLE AND PLANET BEFORE PROFIT'.

The police were called and 16 demonstrators arrested. Even the Prosecution solicitor said at their first court hearing on Tuesday 7 December that the charge was 'over the top', and now the police had to supply the evidence for February 22.

The charge seems ludicrous when you consider 50 people turned up in broad daylight with massive banners proclaiming their arrival at the Nestle factory. But if you consider what happened the following day, when Jack Straw announced 'three strikes and you are out' for burglary, with a minimum prison sentence of 3 months for anyone found guilty of a third offence of burglary, then perhaps the 'over the top' charge may seem pretty reasonable to the police!

The protesters handed out the following leaflet to Nestle workers, many of whom clapped and cheered on the demonstrators:

First side in large print :
It's time to stop the W.orld T.ake O.ver and put people and planet before profit.

Second side, small print :
Trade ministers from around the world are gathering in Seattle today to worship at the high altar of global capitalism - the World Trade Organisation. The transnational corporations are pulling the strings to set up a world in which the power of big money reigns supreme.

As president of the International Chamber of Commerce, Nestle supremo Helmet Maucher used his influence to push for greater trade liberalisation - that's why we are staging our protest at the Nestle factory today.

'The grey men of the WTO regularly pass binding judgements which outlaw any attempts to protect the environment, improve health, promote animal welfare or help poorer nations.

An EU ban on hormone injected beef from the US was ruled illegal. US laws on cleaner petrol fell foul of complaints by Venezuela.

The US was not allowed to ban shrimp caught in ways which killed turtles.

The EU was prevented from providing preferential treatment to impoverished Caribbean farmers.

'We say enough is enough. It's time to put forward an alternative vision - a society which puts people and planet before profit'

For further information contact Anti-Globalisation Network, 90 The Parkway, Canvey Island, Essex SS8 0AE Tel 01268 682820 or email.