in memoriam of LBAM aerial spray

Let it not be forgotten that though the deadly specter of aerial spraying has now passed by the urban communities of California, thousands of innocent people were sprayed by the CDFA with toxic pesticides in the fall of 2007.

Let it not be forgotten that Monterey and Santa Cruz families were grievously sickened by this sudden assault, that an infant and a little girl nearly lost their lives, and that some of the victims are still sick nearly a year after the enforced aerial spraying.

Let it not be forgotten that the long term effects of their exposure to this pesticide remain unknown to all of us.

Let it not be forgotten that these innocent people suffered not only a chemical assault, but utter disruption of their normal daily lives and a constant and severe level of psychological distress. This time of distress will be remembered by all who experienced it, especially the little children who will grow up with the understanding that, sometimes, corrupt governments attack their own people.

Let it not be forgotten that countless wild animals, companion animals, and wild and endangered birds were damaged by this assault. It is likely that thousands of birds were killed by the aerial spraying of pesticides over their habitat. Residents continue to report that no hummingbirds have been seen in their neighborhood since the spraying began some 10 months ago. A count of fatalities in mammalian and aquatic animal families is unknown. It is unknown how many bees, butterflies and other insects were decimated by the spraying of pesticides on the Central Coast.

Let it not be forgotten that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, A.G. Kawamura, Steve Lyle and their allies conspired with the chemical manufacturer, Stewart Resnick, to aerially spray some 7 million United States citizens with untested biochemicals.

Let it not be forgotten that the people of California were lied to repeatedly by these men and the agencies they represent regarding the safety of spraying pesticides on human beings.

Let it not be forgotten that 2 superior courts found the CDFA to be in violation of the California Environmental Quality Act and ruled that they had declared a false emergency. They are guilty men.

Let it not be forgotten that Joan Denton and the staff of OEHHA utterly failed in their duty to protect the health of the people of California and their environment. The hundreds of reports of severe illness submitted to OEHHA were utterly disregarded, dehumanizing the families of the Central Coast and placing all of California in unforgettable danger. OEHHA is guilty of egregious negligence.

Let it not be forgotten that these same unqualified and uneducated agencies, having proven their untrustworthiness and incompetence, are now continuing to make policy in California, the goal of which is to continue to use toxic chemicals, poison and pesticides in their ludicrous pursuit of a harmless insect.

Let it not be forgotten that we have all learned that we cannot trust the USDA, CDFA, OEHHA and related agencies, nor can we trust Governor Schwarzenegger. Any statement they make, promise they give, assurance they promulgate needs to be viewed with the utmost critical suspicion. We have learned the hard way that we cannot trust these people or their agencies. We will never forget this.

Let it not be forgotten that, one by one, courageous US citizens stepped forward in defense of the people of California. In both professional and private capacities, thousands of individuals gave of their skills and time to fight off an aerial application of pesticides over human beings.

Let it not be forgotten that on June 19th, 2008, our powerful protest succeeded in halting CDFA’s plans to spray our families with pesticides. We have discovered our own power. We have only just begun to use it.

We, at Vegan Reader, will never forget the physical sufferings of the people of the Central Coast, nor the mental anguish suffered by all Californians under the threat of an aerial assault planned by our own government agencies. We hold the guilty parties morally responsible and accountable for the damage they have done to us all. We know that we can expect further lies, further threats of exposure to poisons both in the case of the light brown apple moth and other future species. And we know now that we must never let what happened to the families of Monterey and Santa Cruz counties happen again. Never again.

Let it never be forgotten that the LBAM Aerial Spraying of California was and will always be a human rights issue. We have the right to safety for ourselves, our families and our environment. No agency will ever be free to poison us for profits or any other motive. Let us continue to champion the just and enlightened cause of the rights of free people and their essential habitat.

We invite you to add your own statements of remembrance in the comments field below.

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Photo credit to Uckhet’s Flickr Photo Set