January, 2007

Fighting Kellogg's in Battle Creek, Mich.

BY SANDRA REID

Activists (background) protest genetically modified ingredients in Kellogg’s cereal. PHOTO/DAYMONJHARTLEY.COM

Peggy Glave has fought Kellogg's since the 1960's when her family got a life-threatening disease because of the company's unconscionable actions. Her goal has been to get the truth out about how corporations like Kellogg's rule the city, state and world.

"Kellogg's tore down 80 buildings all at once that the city of Battle Creek had given them without any safety precautions. For over 10 years, we were inhaling 100-year old pigeon manure that had been sitting on those roofs. Kellogg's could have killed all of the funguses so it wouldn't blow around. Myself, and eight other people in a two-block radius from my house got Histoplasmosis, a disease that grows in pigeon droppings. Others got TB, Meningitis, and cancer," said Glave. "Two in my family had a cancer skin fungus that was coal black and the size of a giant powderpuff. You could push and it would move like jello. Doctors were dumfounded. That was in 1977. Later, I was used in experimental medical tests. I almost died. They didn't give me the medicines that would have cured me."

Glave sued Kellogg's, the Kellogg's Foundation, and the University of Michigan for using her in the medical experiment. But, "Kellogg's got the case thrown out. I took it to the state, but it was thrown out. It wasn't the money--I wanted someone to stop it," she said. "The corporations write the laws. They own the doctors. They train them and tell them what to do and not do. They give the money to control them."

Glave formed an organization to expose Kellogg's. "The City gave a big community development grant to Kellogg's. They built the Kellogg's Foundation and World Headquarters with those funds. For this, they were to create 600 jobs. Instead, they moved more jobs than that to Mexico. To cement the deal, the Detroit Mayor came in to meet with the churches. Then the biggest sell out took place while everyone was drunk and hung over at the Kellogg's union meeting. That's when the jobs were moved out. When people found out, some committed suicide. People only see when they get hit. Kellogg's used the funds for 'economic development,' but the people became poor and homeless," said Glaves.

"People who expose Kellogg's have been found dead or end up in prison. Robert Mitchell, who ran for City Council was framed and imprisoned. They get rid of who-ever they want," she said. "The governors of Michigan, whether Democrat or Republican, brag about how the Kellogg's Foundation gives them money. But once they take the money, Kellogg's dictates how it's used. When you don't have a way to prosecute them -- they are untouchable. The Democrats are the ones that allow it," said Glaves. "And, every-time there is a war, they make a mint providing the rations." Glave says that Kellogg's took over the charities, too. "We need to tell people that when they give to a charity they are keeping the Kellogg's 'charity economic development' going. It's a system that gives write offs to the big corporations, and it started right here in Battle Creek."

Nationalize Kellogg's -- and the food industry

The Kellogg's empire started in 1909, becoming one of the world's largest producers of breakfast cereals. The Kellogg's Foundation started in the 1930s, becoming the world's most powerful foundation. The Foundation's mission is about improving children's lives. But, after Kellogg's moved its cereal production to Mexico to earn greater profits, child hunger increased dramatically. In 2005, 19 percent of Michigan children received food stamps. In Calhoun County, the number more than doubled -- from 11 percent in 2000, to 24 percent last year. Meanwhile, Kellogg's fourth quarter profits in 2006 rose 3%. At a time when 35 million Americans couldn't put food on their table for part of last year, Kellogg's 'spirit of charity' flies in the face of reality. Food giants are steadily increasing their profits through automated production which produces mountains of food with few workers, creating more poverty. We have to ask: Is it right that children go hungry because corporations own the food?