Posted inSettlements

Does That Apple Look A Little Big To You?

Enlarged apple

Proposition 37, which sought to require Big Food companies to properly label genetically-modified foods (GMO’s), recently failed among California voters.  GMO’s are formulated through genetic engineering and often require exposure to radiation or chemicals to serve as a catalyst in the transformation.  GMO leaders, most notably Missouri-based Monsanto, allotted over $45 million towards a “No on 37” campaign to fight the proposition’s approval.  The movement also received contributions from Coca-Cola, Nestle, and Kraft and took part in misrepresentation of the act that boasts “Stop the deceptive food labeling scheme.”  The Big Food propaganda was ultimately a success, as it is believed that many whom voted against Prop 37 were swayed by the aggressive campaign.

2 minutes
Posted inSettlements

Gandhi Would Have Been Proud

California prisoners finally start to eat again as a week-long hunger strike draws to an end.  Approximately 200 inmates between two California prisons refused to eat in protest to new...
2 minutes
Posted inSettlements

Salty Students Receive $1 Million For Being Peppered

Pepper spray
 Twenty one current and former University of California, Davis students have been awarded almost $1 million in a settlement with the University of California regents following a 2011 pepper spray incident.  Viral outrage over the incident was sparked when videos and images of a U.C.-Davis officer spraying defenseless students were posted to the internet.  The students, seen seated in a group, were participating in an Occupy protest to display their displeasure in increasing tuition prices and decreasing services.  Each student will individually receive $30,000 as well as a handwritten apology from Linda Katehi, the chancellor at U.C. Davis.  In addition to the settlement $630,000 was set aside for the 21 plaintiffs, another $250,000 will be issued to pay for legal fees and costs to the lawyers involved in the suit.  Moreover, the suit has since been recognized as a class action and will offer portions of an additional $100,000 that has been set aside for any other students who come forward with claims of being sprayed.
2 minutes