OTTAWA (ONTARIO) - The Council of Canadians is organising a solidarity protest for José Bové, the leader of the French-based " Confédération paysanne " who is currently serving a 55-day jail term for disassembling a McDonald's restaurant in Millau (in the Roquefort region). As a gesture of protest, Mr. Bové has fasted since the beginning of his incarceration on June 19th.

Mr. Bové's action has been undertaken following the announcement by the United States of commercial reprisals (affecting some French products such as the Roquefort cheese). Those reprisals had been authorised by the WTO following the European Union's refusal to import dairy products and animals treated with the bovine growth hormone (BGH).

Sunday is Bastille Day, the National French Day, and as is the case every year, the French Embassy in Ottawa organises a great party. Ironically, while José Bové will be in jail for defending French identity, culture and gastronomy, French dignitaries will be celebrating their identity, culture and gastronomy with a wine and cheese tasting at the embassy.

The Council of Canadians is calling upon all to come out in a show of Solidarity for José Bové on Sunday evening, July 14th at 6 p.m. at the French Embassy on 42 Sussex Drive. Protesters will offer party guests pieces of Roquefort cheese, symbolic of the battle led by the French unionist.

This show of support will be especially important in light of another case that could see José Bové be condemned to as much as a 14-month jail term. His crime: pulling out genetically engineered crops.

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