Greg Niewendorp and several of his supporters have set up an unusual kind of charitable fund growing out of the Michigan farmer’s refusal to abide by regulations related to the National Animal Identification System (NAIS).
A number of readers of this blog and others that reported on my posting concerning Niewendorp’s refusal to have his cattle tested for bovine tuberculosis asked where they could send financial support. My expectation was that Niewendorp would create some kind of legal defense fund to pay the likely significant legal fees that could grow out of government enforcement actions, such as criminal charges against the farmer for failing to have his animals tested.
Niewendorp, though, decided that such a fund shouldn’t be either just for him nor should it be devoted to paying legal fees.
The fund, to be known as the NonCompliance Relief Fund, or NCRF, will disburse its funds “to those who are in dire need of personal support due to circumstances brought about by individual noncomplicance with unconscionable governmental actions,” according to a statement issued by Niewendorp and three other supporters who comprise its executive committee. They added, “The fund shall not be used for legal expenses other than bail.” Niewendorp has mentioned to me other individuals who have been jailed because of what he sees as their refusal to abide by unreasonable government regulation.
Niewendorp and his supporters obviously see the NAIS fight as one battle among many going on against a government they view as increasingly authoritarian. They are definitely taking an idealistic approach to such funding; it should be interesting to watch it play out in real life. Possibly they expect legal assistance to come gratis from lawyers sympathetic to their stance.
Individuals interested in contributing should send donations to:
NCRF, c/o NORM, 680 E. 5 Point Hwy., Charlotte, Michigan 48813
Recent Comments