Will You Be At The International March Against Monsanto?

May 18, 2013

Nick Bernabe, Emilie Rensick, and Tami Monroe Canal’s organizational and social media directing gifts have been pivotal in garnering support for one of the largest worldwide peaceful protests to date. Initiative from hundreds of activist organizers online, activist media writers and tens of thousands are sharing the message. Any other divergent opinions are being put aside by those joining the march to raise awareness of biotech corporatocracy – literally from the ground up.While the activist-dubbed Monsanto Protection Act rider slipped into law, so launched the March Against Monsanto. The protest is on May 25th 11am PST and simultaneously spans 6 continents, 36 countries, 48 United States plus the District of Columbia, and at least 250 cities.

Bernabe packs a lot of info in the following clip, discussing the blurring lines of Monsanto with the government and why Monsanto continues to increase profits (22% increase in April) thanks to “corporate welfare.”

No donations – just show up and spread the word. Find all the info you need below. Nick asks,

Why do they need to be protected from the law? Why are they putting themselves above the law? And who are these politicians that are willing to just do what they are told to do because of the money they are receiving from these huge companies?

Monsanto succeeded in protection from legal recourse on their second try at rider slips with the Monsanto Protection Act. So sneaky and devious was it that it drew poignant comedic ire from Jon Stewart. Even Hollywood celebrities are pitching in support to raise awareness for food giant transparency. Recently, the Supreme Court backed Monsanto in a landmark patent case against a farmer accused of saving seeds.

For many activists, the desire is for GMO bans and at least labeling so that people can make a choice. But when does begging the government ever achieve results, especially when “one hand washes the other.” Monsanto spent millions to campaign against labeling during last Fall’s Proposition 37 in California.

Nick believes that the easiest way to know what’s in your food is to grow your own, and he hopes the march inspires that motivation. If growing or organizing co-ops cannot be done, at the very least support local organic, he says. Perhaps the march will halt some of the biotech profits even if the government chooses to turn a deaf ear. Growing your own is the most empowering “grassroots” and “ground up” activism.

Social Media Director Nick Bernabe wants people to:

…remember that it is the people taking the initiative to make changes, not the government. We’ve waited for things to happen that way for far too long, it’s time we the people take matters into our own hands.

Lead organizer is mom Tami Monroe Canal who started the march to protect her two daughters’ futures.

I feel Monsanto threatens their generation’s health, fertility and longevity. I couldn’t sit by idly, waiting for someone else to do something.

Why Do We March? From the March Against Monsanto website:

Research studies have shown that Monsanto’s genetically-modified foods can lead to serious health conditions such as the development of cancer tumors, infertility and birth defects.
In the United States, the FDA, the agency tasked with ensuring food safety for the population, is steered by ex-Monsanto executives, and we feel that’s a questionable conflict of interests and explains the lack of government-led research on the long-term effects of GM products.
Recently, the U.S. Congress and president collectively passed the nicknamed “Monsanto Protection Act” that, among other things, bans courts from halting the sale of Monsanto’s genetically-modified seeds.
For too long, Monsanto has been the benefactor of corporate subsidies and political favoritism. Organic and small farmers suffer losses while Monsanto continues to forge its monopoly over the world’s food supply, including exclusive patenting rights over seeds and genetic makeup.
Monsanto’s GM seeds are harmful to the environment; for example, scientists have indicated they have contributed to Colony Collapse Disorder among the world’s bee population.

What are solutions we advocate?

Voting with your dollar by buying organic and boycotting Monsanto-owned companies that use GMOs in their products.
Labeling of GMOs so that consumers can make those informed decisions easier.
Repealing relevant provisions of the US’s “Monsanto Protection Act.”
Calling for further scientific research on the health effects of GMOs.
Holding Monsanto executives and Monsanto-supporting politicians accountable through direct communication, grassroots journalism, social media, etc.
Continuing to inform the public about Monsanto’s secrets.
Taking to the streets to show the world and Monsanto that we won’t take these injustices quietly.

We will not stand for cronyism. We will not stand for poison. That’s why we March Against Monsanto.

I can’t remember ever seeing an online activist campaign this big before, complete with Twitter bombs and memes. Check out the action. Will you go? Will you help spread the word?

#MarchAgainstMonsanto Event info – You don’t need Facebook to get informed or come!:

March Against Monsanto Website – contains ALL necessary info

Events List with Local Contacts, Links

Events Google Doc with contacts

Facebook Page

Facebook Events Page

It’s not too late to organize your own march if there isn’t one near you

Online flyer

This article was originally featured at Activist Post.

About the Author

Heather Callaghan is a natural health blogger and food freedom activist. You can see her work at NaturalBlaze.com and ActivistPost.com. Like at Facebook.

This article is offered under Creative Commons license. It’s okay to republish it anywhere as long as attribution bio is included and all links remain intact.

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