March Against Monsanto: Difference between revisions
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==Issues== |
==Issues== |
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[[File:AntiMonsanto March GMO Corn.jpg|thumb|left|March Against Monsanto, New Orleans. Costumed protesters; in middle depicting GMO corn (maize)]] |
[[File:AntiMonsanto March GMO Corn.jpg|thumb|left|March Against Monsanto, New Orleans. Costumed protesters; in middle depicting GMO corn (maize)]] |
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MAM protesters were pushing for mandatory labeling of genetically engineered food.<ref>[http://www.theprovince.com/business/Protesters+March+Against+Monsanto+across+around+globe/8436441/story.html#ixzz2UjInxDfF Protesters rally worldwide in march against GMO giant Monsanto<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://thelead.blogs.cnn.com/2013/05/28/millions-protest-genetically-modified-food-monsanto/ Millions protest genetically modified food, Monsanto, organizers say – The Lead with Jake Tapper - CNN.com Blogs<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Protesters carried signs that read "Label GMOs, It’s Our Right to Know" and "Real Food 4 Real People".<ref>[http://www.ibtimes.com/march-against-monsanto-draws-many-2-million-globally-facebook-twitter-once-again-show-social-medias ‘March Against Monsanto’ Draws As Many As 2 Million Globally, As Facebook And Twitter Once Again Show Social Media’s Effectiveness As Organizing Tools [PHOTOS]<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> MAM demonstrators urged supporters to buy only [[Organic food|organic products]] and to boycott Monsanto-owned companies. The Los Angeles MAM organizer explained, "We’re marching to raise awareness. This is not just a ‘boo Monsanto’ protest. We want more people to know so they can make their own decisions."<ref>[http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-monsanto-protest-20130525,0,6534145.story Hundreds in L.A. march in global protest against Monsanto, GMOs - latimes.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
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Ninety percent of Americans favor GMO labeling, however attempts to require it have been unsuccessful.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/may/29/monsanto-protest-to-stop-gm-crops We can't let Monsanto win on genetically modified food | Sadhbh Walshe | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> [[Whole Foods Market]] has promised that its US stores will label their GMO products by 2018. The grocery chain said demand for products that don’t use GMOs is growing, with sales of products labeled "Non-GMO" spiking between 15-30%.<ref>[http://www.salon.com/2013/05/26/up_to_2_million_march_against_monsanto/ Up to 2 million march against Monsanto - Salon.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
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MAM demonstrators urged supporters to buy only [[Organic food|organic products]] and to boycott Monsanto-owned companies. The Los Angeles MAM organizer explained, "We’re marching to raise awareness. This is not just a ‘boo Monsanto’ protest. We want more people to know so they can make their own decisions."<ref>[http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-monsanto-protest-20130525,0,6534145.story Hundreds in L.A. march in global protest against Monsanto, GMOs - latimes.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
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Supporters of the movement said they were concerned that Monsanto’s genetically modified seeds had an [[colony collapse disorder|effect on bee population]], holding signs printed with "All we are saying is give bees a chance".<ref name=autogenerated3 /> |
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[[File:March Against Monsanto Lethbridge.jpg|thumb|right|March Against Monsanto, Lethbridge, Alberta]] |
[[File:March Against Monsanto Lethbridge.jpg|thumb|right|March Against Monsanto, Lethbridge, Alberta]] |
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[[File:Check the March Crowd - Probably 2-3K Strong.jpg|thumb|right|March Against Monsanto, Washington, D.C.; march crowd is 3-4 blocks long]] |
[[File:Check the March Crowd - Probably 2-3K Strong.jpg|thumb|right|March Against Monsanto, Washington, D.C.; march crowd is 3-4 blocks long]] |
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Protesters also took issue with the amount of influence Monsanto has in Washington, claiming the company has gone "too far".<ref>[http://www.foxbusiness.com/industries/2013/05/29/monsanto-sows-seeds-protest/#ixzz2UkO7dN7j Monsanto Sows Seeds Of Protest | Fox Business<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
Protesters also took issue with the amount of influence Monsanto has in Washington, claiming the company has gone "too far".<ref>[http://www.foxbusiness.com/industries/2013/05/29/monsanto-sows-seeds-protest/#ixzz2UkO7dN7j Monsanto Sows Seeds Of Protest | Fox Business<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> One protester from Occupy Maui stated, "Their corporate power is insurmountable....We should not have allowed that to happen. That happened with [the] Citizens United [ruling], but who sits on the Supreme Court? Clarence Thomas from Monsanto. Who's in charge of the FDA? Michael Taylor, from Monsanto… We're not stupid."<ref>[http://www.mauitime.com/Articles-News-i-2013-05-30-77388.113117-The-View-From-The-March-On-Monsanto-In-Kahului.html The View From The March On Monsanto In Kahului<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
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Crop contamination is another concern raised by the protesters, who worry that pollen from Monsanto's genetically modified plants could contaminate the crops of organic farmers and those not using Monsanto products. Unapproved GM wheat made by the company was found growing on an Oregon farm days after the march, bringing the issue into the spotlight.<ref name=autogenerated4>[http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2013/05/march_against_monsanto_stirs_u.html March against Monsanto stirs up the GMO debate | syracuse.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> On May 31, 2013, Monsanto announced it would halt further lobbying for GM products in Europe. A Monsanto spokesperson said, "We’ve understood that such plants don’t have any broad acceptance in European societies". The announcement came days after the MAM protest, "amidst a series of recent public relations battles" for the company and during a "revival of opposition to genetically engineered foods".<ref>[http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130531/NEWS/305310352/-1/NEWSMAP Discovery stirs foes of Monsanto gene-altered crops | SouthCoastToday.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://inserbia.info/news/2013/05/monsanto-puts-gm-push-to-europe-on-hold-after-series-of-world-wide-protests/ Monsanto puts GM push to Europe on hold after series of world wide protests – In Serbia News<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
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Anti-Monsanto advocates further claim the patent rights to seeds lead to a cycle of dependence on the company. From an editorial in [[Salon (website)|Salon]],<ref>[http://www.salon.com/2013/05/30/monsantos_patent_lawyers_get_a_gift_from_the_supreme_court/singleton/ Monsanto’s growing monopoly - Salon.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> "In less than 15 years, many commodity crop farmers went from saving and replanting a portion of their harvest to largely buying new seed each year. This has increased farmers' dependence on a highly consolidated and narrowly focused seed industry. The transition has also eroded farmers' self-sufficiency and financial security."<ref name=autogenerated4 /> |
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In a ''[[Huffington Post]]'' article entitled "The March to Stop Monsanto: Taking Back Our Food, Our Farms, Our Democracy and Our Planet", Dave Murphy (founder of ''Food Democracy Now!'' ) wrote, "The problem with Monsanto is not just their corrosive lobbying practices, but the fact that the products they produce, genetically engineered foods and chemical weed killers, are in more than 70% of the processed foods that we eat and feed our families everyday....Monsanto is responsible for some of the most lethal chemicals known to history, including [[Agent Orange]], [[polychlorinated biphenyl|PCBs]], and [[DDT]]."<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dave-murphy/monsanto-gmo-food_b_3337043.html Dave Murphy: The March to Stop Monsanto: Taking Back Our Food, Our Farms, Our Democracy and Our Planet<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
In a ''[[Huffington Post]]'' article entitled "The March to Stop Monsanto: Taking Back Our Food, Our Farms, Our Democracy and Our Planet", Dave Murphy (founder of ''Food Democracy Now!'' ) wrote as a means to explain the issues relevant to the march, "The problem with Monsanto is not just their corrosive lobbying practices, but the fact that the products they produce, genetically engineered foods and chemical weed killers, are in more than 70% of the processed foods that we eat and feed our families everyday....Monsanto is responsible for some of the most lethal chemicals known to history, including [[Agent Orange]], [[polychlorinated biphenyl|PCBs]], and [[DDT]]."<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dave-murphy/monsanto-gmo-food_b_3337043.html Dave Murphy: The March to Stop Monsanto: Taking Back Our Food, Our Farms, Our Democracy and Our Planet<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
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[[File:March Against Monsanto in Amsterdam, 25 May 2013.jpg|thumb|March Against Monsanto in Amsterdam]] |
[[File:March Against Monsanto in Amsterdam, 25 May 2013.jpg|thumb|March Against Monsanto in Amsterdam]] |
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Revision as of 22:14, 4 June 2013
 | This article may present fringe theories, without giving appropriate weight to the mainstream view and explaining the responses to the fringe theories. (June 2013) |
March Against Monsanto (MAM) is an international grass roots movement as well as a protest against the Monsanto corporation and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).[1] The movement consists of multiple groups and individuals seeking to “bring awareness to health, agricultural, environmental and political issues associated with Monsanto" through various actions.[2]
On May 25, 2013, an estimated 2 million supporters participated in marches and rallies in 436 cities around the world.[3]
Founded by Tami Canal in February 2013, the movement was created in response to the failure of California Proposition 37. Canal said that the movement would continue its "anti-GMO cause" beyond the initial event.[4] MAM supports mandatory GMO labeling laws and opposes the Farmer Assurance Provision (labeled the "Monsanto Protection Act" by critics).[5][6][7]
Background
March Against Monsanto was formed by Tami Monroe Canal, a "stay-at-home mom" from Farmington, Utah. A first-time activist, Canal credits her "motherly inclinations", saying that where the health of her children is concerned, it "didn't take much" for her to get involved.[8][9] The movement was spurred by Canal's frustration over the failure of California proposition 37 which would have required companies to label genetically engineered food.
Canal first promoted the concept via Facebook on Feb 23rd, 2013.[10] The group posted a mission statement on their Facebook page that read:
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.[5]
By May 21st the Facebook page had attracted 85,000 members.[11] Canal worked with activists Emilie Rensink and Nick Bernabe utilizing various social media sites to promote the march online.[12]
Two days before the group held their protest, the U.S. Senate rejected an amendment that would allow states to require labeling of genetically modified foods.[5]
Issues
MAM protesters were pushing for mandatory labeling of genetically engineered food.[13][14] Protesters carried signs that read "Label GMOs, It’s Our Right to Know" and "Real Food 4 Real People".[15] MAM demonstrators urged supporters to buy only organic products and to boycott Monsanto-owned companies. The Los Angeles MAM organizer explained, "We’re marching to raise awareness. This is not just a ‘boo Monsanto’ protest. We want more people to know so they can make their own decisions."[16]
Protesters also took issue with the amount of influence Monsanto has in Washington, claiming the company has gone "too far".[17] One protester from Occupy Maui stated, "Their corporate power is insurmountable....We should not have allowed that to happen. That happened with [the] Citizens United [ruling], but who sits on the Supreme Court? Clarence Thomas from Monsanto. Who's in charge of the FDA? Michael Taylor, from Monsanto… We're not stupid."[18]
In a Huffington Post article entitled "The March to Stop Monsanto: Taking Back Our Food, Our Farms, Our Democracy and Our Planet", Dave Murphy (founder of Food Democracy Now! ) wrote as a means to explain the issues relevant to the march, "The problem with Monsanto is not just their corrosive lobbying practices, but the fact that the products they produce, genetically engineered foods and chemical weed killers, are in more than 70% of the processed foods that we eat and feed our families everyday....Monsanto is responsible for some of the most lethal chemicals known to history, including Agent Orange, PCBs, and DDT."[19]
March
On May 25, 2013 protests took place in at least 436 cities in 52 countries around the world.[20][12][21][22] According to RT, the event was attended by over 2 million people; organizers estimated a total of 2 million. CNN reported the same number, but said they could not independently verify it.[23][24]
Response
Monsanto released a statement on the day of the march, explaining it "respects people's rights to express their opinion on the topic, but maintains that its seeds improve agriculture by helping farmers produce more from their land while conserving resources such as water and energy."[25]
Thom Hartmann, in an opinion piece called "So Much For The Liberal Media", claimed media had largely ignored the protests. "There was hardly a peep about the event in the corporate media. Apparently, a Koch-Brothers-funded Tea Party march of 300 people is news-worthy... but two million protesters aren't enough to risk upsetting the corporate masters."[26]
In an op-ed for Metta Center for Non-Violence, Stephanie Van Hook and Michael Nagler compare the March Against Monsanto movement with the Salt March. They write, "However the present march turns out, we should consider it a step on a long journey – and plan that journey. A great deal of what Gandhi would have called “Constructive Programme” – education, community building, long-term efforts like organic and community-based farming to replace the old system...and the beginnings of a robust, diverse, and smart resistance movement represented by, among other things, the present march."[27]
Future plans
MAM organizer Tami Camal said she was surprised by the "viral" response made up of a "unique cross-section of support", and plans to "continue raising awareness". MAM joined forces with another GMO protest group, Moms Across America, and has plans to make a showing at Fourth of July parades, and for World Food Day on October 12, 2013.[8][28]
See also
References
- ^ Millions march against GM crops | Environment | guardian.co.uk
- ^ Movement attempts shutdown of Monsanto office in Davis | The Aggie
- ^ Millions march against Monsanto in over 400 cities - Yahoo! News
- ^ Protesters around the world march against Monsanto
- ^ a b c On the eve of March against Monsanto Senate shoots down GMO labeling bill. RT. May 24, 2013.
- ^ Boulder residents participate in worldwide March Against Monsanto - Boulder Daily Camera
- ^ More than 100 participate in Charleston’s March Against Monsanto, one of 300+ in world on Saturday – The Post and Courier
- ^ a b Salt Lake City News - News Articles: SLC March Against Monsanto
- ^ Nowles, David (May 8, 2012). Stars align in protest against food giant Monsanto over GMO crops. The New York Daily News.
- ^ http://www.facebook.com/MarchAgainstMonsanto
- ^ Taryn, Utiger (May 21, 2013). NZ urged to remain GE-free zone. Taranaki Daily News. p. 4.
- ^ a b Associated Press (May 25, 2013). Protesters around the world march against Monsanto. USA Today.
- ^ Protesters rally worldwide in march against GMO giant Monsanto
- ^ Millions protest genetically modified food, Monsanto, organizers say – The Lead with Jake Tapper - CNN.com Blogs
- ^ ‘March Against Monsanto’ Draws As Many As 2 Million Globally, As Facebook And Twitter Once Again Show Social Media’s Effectiveness As Organizing Tools [PHOTOS]
- ^ Hundreds in L.A. march in global protest against Monsanto, GMOs - latimes.com
- ^ Monsanto Sows Seeds Of Protest | Fox Business
- ^ The View From The March On Monsanto In Kahului
- ^ Dave Murphy: The March to Stop Monsanto: Taking Back Our Food, Our Farms, Our Democracy and Our Planet
- ^ CTV Kitchener (May 25, 2013). 'March Against Monsanto' comes to King Street in Kitchener. CTV Television Network.
- ^ Xia, Rosanna (May 25, 2013). Hundreds in L.A. march in global protest against Monsanto, GMOs. Los Angeles Times.
- ^ bos/AFP, Der Spiegel. May 26, 2013 Umstrittener Gen-Konzern: Weltweite Proteste gegen Monsanto [English translation via Google Translate Accessed May 28, 2013
- ^ Millions protest genetically modified food, Monsanto. The Lead with Jake Tapper - CNN.com Blogs. Retrieved 29 May 2013
- ^ Challenging Monsanto: Over two million march the streets of 436 cities, 52 countries — RT News
- ^ Protesters march against Monsanto across the globe | The Hindu
- ^ So Much For The Liberal MediaTalk Radio News Service
- ^ Is the Monsanto Protest the Next Salt March?
- ^ https://www.facebook.com/MomsAcrossAmerica?directed_target_id=0&filter=2
External links
