This past weekend, millions around the world marched to protest Monsanto, the giant chemical company that is the worldwide leader in producing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the herbicide (Roundup) that GMOs require.
I was proud to attend a local march here in western MA. On an unusually cold (46 degrees!) and very rainy late-May day over 200 people packed a small church in Chicopee, MA to demonstrate.
We watched a documentary about GMOs before taking to the street with our signs and protest chants.
Here are some pictures I took from our local march:
Finally, this great image from The Yardener wasn’t from my local march but my personal favorite from the hundreds of photos I saw on Facebook:
Evidence is mounting that these GMO frankenfoods can cause major health issues. They were deceptively introduced into our food supply in the mid-1990s and have coincided with dramatic increases in the digestive issues, food allergies, reproductive problems and autism.
Foods containing GMOs have never been proven safe (despite what Monsanto tells you) and yet you are more than likely eating them every day. They are in virtually EVERYTHING - your breakfast cereal, your mayonnaise, your salad dressings, your potato chips and your ice cream to name just a few. But you don’t know it because they are not labeled and that’s how Monsanto wants it to remain. Dozens of countries around the world are not only labeling GMOs but outright banning them due to concerns to both public and environmental health.
In fact, I believe they are the very worst food you could possibly eat. My purpose in this blog post is not to delve into why but rather to implore you to PLEASE educate yourself on this issue. Luckily, there’s a great resource to get you up to speed fairly quickly.
A good starting point would be the film Genetic Roulette.
You can rent it on Amazon for only $2.99. Better yet, purchase the DVD to show it to your friends and family or maybe even organize a community screening. Many are using this film as a way to educate others, raise awareness and to push for mandatory labeling laws in their states.
If you’re in western MA, I have set up a community screening at Forbes Library in Northampton on July 29th at 6:30pm. More screenings are being organized. Please check out the Facebook pages below to stay up to date.
Because when you watch this film you will be shocked and outraged. Really, what Monsanto is doing is like something out of a science fiction movie. They are literally trying to take over the entire global food supply and their methods are nothing short of bone-chilling. Initially you may think, “OH. MY. GOD. There’s NO WAY this can possibly be real.”
Educating yourself about GMOs can be overwhelming and perhaps even depressing. But the good news is that public awareness is growing. This past weekend’s marches are a good indication of that as this sign from Occupy Monsanto attests:
Chances are though you didn’t see any coverage of the global protest in the mainstream media. But perhaps you saw a friend or two posting about it on Facebook? As of now social media is the best way to stay informed and learn more.
In fact, I just heard the next March Against Monsanto has already been planned for May 24th for next year:
To stay connected and find local groups in your area check out the following Facebook pages:
Institute for Responsible Technology
Finally, if you’re in western MA, please “like” the following Facebook pages:
Massachusetts Right to Know GMOs
Did I miss any?
It seems like every day I find another anti-GMO campaign or non-profit working to raise awareness about this very important issue.
Please share any other Facebook pages or resources in the comments. And if you marched, I’d love to hear about your experience!
I just ate a bowl of non-GMO Heritage O’s cereal. It was like eating Quarry. My teeth still hurt.
Man up, Mauser. Bacon and eggs from here on out.
Great Post Craig - always enjoy your health info but this one really moved me - I’ll be at your 7/29 screening and thanks for spreading the word - I’ve passed your post onto all my Facebook.com/JucingSecrets readers.
Great Bob. And thanks for helping spread the word. I’m really hoping to pack the room so it would be great if you could get some folks to come out. You’ll be hearing a lot more about it as we get closer to the date! There will be at least one additional showing at the Media Education Foundation as well. Date on that one is TBA.
Hi Craig. We march here in Chile. They are slowly introducing GMOs on our fields. Here’s what’s happening (an actual horror movie):
- Monsanto has GMO crops in the South of the country but the exact ubication of them is secret. We, as citizens of a democratic nation CAN’T ACCES TO THAT INFORMATION.
- Monsanto financed a “health” program that our government is carrying out called Elige Vivir Sano (Choose To Live Health in english), which consists on incentives to consume (buy) healthier (aka lobby’s brands) foods.
- Late studies have shown that our honey, pure and healthy for decades, now has GMO content, so several european countries stop importing it. And I, of course, stop consuming it.
- Monsanto and related companies, like Syngenta, are getting stronger in Chile and South America in general. Our politicians don’t debate about GMOs. Many of them have conflicts of interest in this subject. Meanwhile,we are becoming an increasingly more unhealthy and artificial country. And more bees are dying.
We have to keep fighting for democratization, labeling, access to information, truth, sustainability and public health!
P.S.1: Sorry if there are grammar or spelling mistakes, I speak little english
P.S.2: Thanks for such a great blog.
Thanks for sharing, Carolina. Scary stuff. I have faith that some day this GMO nightmare will end. Let’s just hope it’s because we choose to end it.
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GMOs are hopefully becoming a bigger and bigger part of the grassroots movement against them. I hope that they continue to gain traction in various states that start to label!!!
[...] The political process is new to me and I wasn’t sure what to expect. But I knew I had to go. I’ve learned too much about the dangers of GMOs to not speak up. Besides, I figured it would be a good learning experience for me to see our [...]