Activist Story of Courage and Cunning
Today, I went to vote for City Council members and bond propositions at the North Dallas Municipal Building. MCS patients here, following the advice of DALCAP (Dallas Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides), have been reviewing city council proposals to spray when cases of West Nile virus appear, and letting candidates know that how they vote on this will determine whether we vote for them or not. The same discussions go on in every state, county and municipality. As I entered the building to vote, I donned a charcoal mask, remembering that I've had symptoms there in the past from pesticide residues.
But today, there was a new sign: "Recertification Workshop for Pesticide Applicators in Room B-100." After voting, still wearing my mask, I went down to the front of Room B-100 where dozens of pesticide applicators were sitting taking their exams, and I said, "Remember! There are some people who are made sick by even a tiny bit of pesticide residue. So it's important to always apply as little pesticide as possible."
After my brief comment, I quickly left, though I overheard one applicator ask, "Who was that?" I had made my point and I didn't wish to be ushered out by the police. But I thought some of you might enjoy doing the same thing. The locations and times of these recertification workshops are probably posted these days on the internet. And they need to know we're out here, breathing their residues.