On April 8th there were actions in three different towns (Helsinki, Tampere and Jyvaskyla) in Finland. The actions were part of an international "Resistance is Fertile"-week against genetic engineering. During the week there were actions in 14 different countries.

In Helsinki a group of about 15 people, some dressed in white biohazard suits, went into a big department store Stockmann. They ran to the food department, opened two banners saying "GM-food - No Thanks" and "Against Gene-Capitalism". Two people took shopping trolleys, hang signs on them saying "May contain genetically modified ingredients" and started collecting suspicious products. Others handed out leaflets about GM-food to the customers. There were some national TV and newspaper reporters present. After a while the security came and took all the protesters to the security's office, called the police who took everyone's details and told them they'd be arrested if they went to another shop. The protesters then went to hand out more leaflets outside some other big shops and the press followed. All together they handed out a few thousand leaflets. The public were very curious and interested about the subject, and there were a lot of positive feedback to the protesters.

In Tampere about 10 people, some dressed in white suits went to a supermarket and opened a banner with a picture of a strawberry-fish and a text "It could be in your shopping bag" and "Say no to Genetic Manipulation!" They handed out leaflets until the security came and told them to move. They then carried on informing the public outside the shop. Then the protesters walked to the nearest McDonald's, handed out leaflets there, and then went to the department store Stockmann. After giving out leaflets to the workers and shoppers they left the shop and carried on outside. Activists gave out about a thousand leaflets and the response was very positive.

In Jyvaskyla five activists gave out leaflets on the streets. They all wore white suits, gave out about a thousand leaflets and the public were very interested there, too. Some local press came and interviewed them. It was a very positive day in all of the towns, and the activists are very inspired to do more actions in the future. These actions officially started the GM-campaign in Finland. Media coverage was quite positive and wide. The actions were covered on national TV and newspapers, and locally, too.

RESISTANCE IS FERTILE!