International Legal Defense Funding Requested to Help Court Costs for Michael Schmidt
In recent news, Michael Schmidt faces ongoing legal harassment for running his dairy operation in Ontario Canada. But, it is not technically his dairy operation that has him facing 10 years in prison.
In writing about this case, bloggers note that:
Sometimes it is someone’s humility that has the greatest impact on us rather boisterous heroics. Such is the case with Ontario farmer Michael Schmidt. For 21 years, Schmidt has peacefully run his farm and provided his community with fresh, nourishing foods including raw milk. Schmidt produces raw dairy products for a group of families who want these foods and go to great lengths to obtain them.
In a recent article about Michael Schmidt, it states:
“In fact, these families have actually purchased the farm from Schmidt and his wife, Elisa, in an attempt to avoid violating the law. Absurdly, Canadian law outlaws raw milk distribution. It is legal for farmers to drink raw milk from their own animals, but not to distribute it. Schmidt claims that it is his natural right to peacefully farm and to provide clean, wholesome food to his community, so he continues to milk the cows and make the products available to the community of farm owners. Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) and other Canadian agencies, both federal and local, continue to harass him for this peaceful act.”
Rather than responding to the antagonism in kind, Michael calls on the strength of character to search for a positive outcome despite the Canadian government attempting to escalate it. As the government continues to treat Michael like a violent criminal, Michael remains peaceful.
“Schmidt continues to challenge the government on its authority to criminalize him and his community over milk. This past summer, the government escalated its harassment of him and the farm owners, by planting surveillance cameras on the road by the property to spy on anyone entering or leaving the farm. Schmidt discovered the cameras and publicly questioned who put them there and why. A concerned neighbor removed the cameras, leading to theft charges against Schmidt.
When he reported to the police station for identification, authorities demanded that he submit to fingerprinting – a procedure not required for the type of offense he was charged with. When he refused, he was jailed overnight, before being forcibly fingerprinted in the morning and set free. Meanwhile, around this time the MNRF and a multi-agency task force conducted multiple raids on his farm and delivery vehicle.
During one farm raid, farm owners, concerned neighbors and community members blocked the driveway and prevented the government from removing thousands of dollars’ worth of food and farm equipment. The government then said that the peaceful activists were promoting “anti-government” sentiment. Five people present at that raid have been charged by the West Grey Police for ‘obstructing police.’”
His raw milk politics have him in hot water, but the 10-year prison term is over the sheep case he became embroiled in over 3 years ago. It takes a lot to dispel the government of the notion that peaceful people should go to prison for saving harmless animals from abuse, nonetheless, that is what Michael is facing. We have a chance to help his legal defense through a fundraising effort that now seeks a final push past the initial limit so that the team supporting him can make the best possible effort to keep this modern milk hero free and farming.
Donate to their legal expenses. All donations at this link go to the Canadian Constitution Foundation in support of Michael and Montana’s legal fees.
Follow the cases on the Facebook groups page.
The original fund set up by the CCF shows that it is fully funded. However, with the additional charges and the pre trial hearings taking many months, they are in dire need to legal funding immediately and ongoing. In an effort to save a farm, save a farmer and save a family, please donate what you can and remain involved in this case as we watch the dramatic impact that true humility can have on a community.
To learn more about raw milk and other nutrient dense foods, visit westonaprice.org
3 Comments
Nothing was explained about the reason for this sentence. Something about sheep? 3 yrs ago>?
Wouldn’t the new prime minister be more open minded than the old one? Surely there are some fans of Weston A. Price somewhere in his government who can explain why the anti-raw propaganda is wrong. All that grassroots support for Michael’s farm ought to be a clue that this is not a con artist but a caring farmer.
This is so sad. My heart hurts for this brave man and I’m overwhelmed by the strength of him and this community. Shame on the government.