Michael Schmidt, raw milk farmer and activist from Ontario Canada has ended his 37 day hunger strike after meeting with Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty.
The following is the text of Michael’s statement:
“This hunger strike was about starting a dialogue with the leader of this province. I have been on this human journey for 17 years looking for constructive dialogue, and I have been dragged through the courts for a crime that has no victims. My aim was simple: to take this to the top and to begin a conversation with our leader, one-on-one. To meet, as equal human beings, not as Premier and Farmer. It was because of this that I undertook my hunger strike. And this morning, I met with Premier McGuinty, in his office, and we have begun our dialogue, and because of this, I am ending my hunger strike today.
I have always had my hand outstretched in an offer for dialogue and feel that today, for the first time in 17 years, this hand has been taken and dialogue at the highest level has finally begun. I truly hope that the government will refrain from any further attacks on farmers until this dialogue has had a chance to take its proper course. We will be working closely with MPPs over the coming weeks to table a private member’s bill.”
Thanks and gratitude to all who heeded the call from this blog and many others to inundate Premier McGuinty’s office with emails, phone calls, faxes, and Tweets.
It made a difference and hopefully this meeting will prove fruitful to all Canadian citizens in moving the dialogue of Food Freedom forward to benefit all!
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
You can email your own personal message here: https://correspondence.premier.gov.on.ca/en/feedback/feedback.aspx
Thank you for meeting with Michael Schmidt. On behalf of myself and the nearly 5,000 people who read my blog (many of whom are Canadians in your Province), we are eternally grateful. Ontario is fortunate to have a compassionate leader such as yourself who stands firm in service to his citizenry and consents to meet with a humble farmer even if he holds opposing views. Only with dialogue can progress be attained. With compassion comes hope for the future which includes Food Freedom and Food Choice for all Canadians! God Bless You.
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
I just sent Premier Dalton a thank you note at his website.
Thank God. I was truly worried about him.
If a hunger strike concerning raw milk rights were to happen here in the states in hopes of having a dialogue with our president, I’m afraid someone would starve to death. Sad!
I am so relieved … I don’t know how the Real Food Movement would have handled a setback if he actually starved to death. I look forward to seeing him in person at the WAPF Conference next week!
He evidently sipped some soup to break his fast at lunchtime yesterday 🙂
Great news! Thank you for the update Sarah!
And what was his first meal request?
Michael Schmidt Ends 37 Day Hunger Strike – The Healthy Home Economist http://t.co/EVlURo6E