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The March Against Monsanto is an international grass roots movement as well as a protest against the Monsanto corporation and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). 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.

On May 25, 2013, an estimated 200,000 to 2 million supporters participated in marches and rallies; organizers claimed that marches took place in 436 cities around the world.

Founded by Tami Canal in February 2013, the movement was created in response to the failure of California Proposition 37, a budget initiative which would have required labeling food products which contain GMOs. Canal said that the movement would continue its "anti-GMO cause" beyond the initial event.

Movement advocates support mandatory GMO labeling laws and oppose the Farmer Assurance Provision (labeled the "Monsanto Protection Act" by critics).

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. 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 28th, 2013. The group posted a 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."

By May 21st the Facebook page had attracted 85,000 members. Canal worked with activists Emilie Rensink and Nick Bernabe utilizing various social media sites to promote the march online.

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.

Issues

The primary goals of March Against Monsanto were to expose what protestors believe are the dangers associated with genetically engineered foods, and to criticize the influence of Monsanto.

Protesters supported mandatory labeling of genetically engineered food, and some carried signs that read "Label GMOs, It’s Our Right to Know" and "Real Food 4 Real People". (Several large scientific and public health organizations have released statements concluding that genetically modified foodstuffs are safe). Demonstrators urged supporters to buy only organic products and to boycott Monsanto-owned companies. The Los Angeles march 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."

Protesters were also critical regarding concerns surrounding the amount of influence Monsanto allegedly has in Washington, claiming that recent legislation allows Monsanto to ignore court rulings and permit planting of genetically engineered crops even if they were possibly unsafe until Monsanto conducts further testing. One protester from Occupy Maui stated, "Their corporate power is insurmountable....We should not have allowed that to happen. That happened with Citizens United , 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."

According to a statement by protester Stephen Lendman, which was picked up by the Syracuse Post-Standard, other specific aims of the march include calls for repealing of the Farmer Assurance Provision, often referred to by activists as the "Monsanto Protection Act", an alleged increase in the number of independent studies on the health implications of genetically engineered food, and a call for a general boycott of Monsanto.

In a Huffington Post opinion column entitled "The March to Stop Monsanto: Taking Back Our Food, Our Farms, Our Democracy and Our Planet", Dave Murphy (founder of Food Democracy Now!) laid out a number of complaints against Monsanto including their political influence and problems with chemicals they have previously produced, including DDT and Agent Orange as a means of motivating the march.

March

On May 25, 2013 protests took place around the world; according to organizers they took place in 436 cities in 52 countries. Estimates for the number of participants ranged from 200,000 to 2 million people.

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."

See also

• Genetic engineering
• Genetically modified crops
• Genetically modified food controversies

References

1. ^ Associated Press and guardian.co.uk. May 25, 2013 Millions march against GM crops
2. Meredith Sturmer. for The Aggie. May 30, 2013 Movement attempts shutdown of Monsanto office in Davis | The Aggie
3. ^ CTV Kitchener (May 25, 2013). 'March Against Monsanto' comes to King Street in Kitchener. CTV Television Network.
4. ^ Associated Press in Yahoo News. May 25, 2013 Millions march against Monsanto in over 400 cities
5. ^ Associated Press in USA Today. May 26, 2013 Protesters around the world march against Monsanto
6. ^ On the eve of March against Monsanto Senate shoots down GMO labeling bill. RT. May 24, 2013.
7. Staff and wire, Boulder Daily Camera. May 25, 2013; Updated May 26, 2013 Boulder residents participate in worldwide March Against Monsanto
8. David Quick for The Post and Courier. May 26, 2013 More than 100 participate in Charleston’s March Against Monsanto, one of 300+ in world on Saturday
9. Eric S. Peterson for the City Weekly. May 29, 2013. SLC March Against Monsanto
10. David Nowles for the The New York Daily News. May 8, 2012 Stars align in protest against food giant Monsanto over GMO crops
11. Taryn, Utiger (May 21, 2013). NZ urged to remain GE-free zone. Taranaki Daily News. p. 4.
12. Protesters rally worldwide in march against GMO giant Monsanto
13. ^ Millions protest genetically modified food, Monsanto. The Lead with Jake Tapper - CNN.com Blogs. Retrieved 29 May 2013
14. ‘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]
15. Institute of Medicine and National Research Council of the National Academies: SAFETY OF GENETICALLY ENGINEERED FOODS. 2004.
    The American Association for the Advancement of Science: Statement by the AAAS Board of Directors On Labeling of Genetically Modified Foods. October 20, 2012. URL accessed June 12, 2013.
    American Medical Association: Reports: "Our AMA believes that as of December 2009, there is no scientific justification for special labeling of genetically modified foods, as a class, and that voluntary labeling is without value unless it is accompanied by focused consumer education." p324. 2010. URL accessed June 12, 2013.
    EurActiv: No risk with GMO food, says EU chief scientific advisor. July 24, 2012. URL accessed June 12, 2013.
    European Commission: A decade of EU-funded GMO research. 2010. URL accessed June 12, 2013.
    Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine: Genetically modified plants and human health. June 1, 2008 vol. 101 no. 6 290-298. URL accessed June 12, 2013.
    Scientific American: Genetically Engineered Crops—What, How and Why. August 11, 2011. URL accessed June 12, 2013.
    Toxicological Sciences: The Safety of Genetically Modified Foods Produced through Biotechnology. 71 (1): 2-8.doi: 10.1093/toxsci/71.1.2. URL accessed June 12, 2013.
16. ^ Monsanto’s GMO Killer Seeds: Profits Above Human Health | Global Research
17. Hundreds in L.A. march in global protest against Monsanto, GMOs - latimes.com
18. ‘Monsanto Protection Act’ might be repealed in Senate — RT USA
19. Monsanto Sows Seeds Of Protest | Fox Business
20. The View From The March On Monsanto In Kahului
21. Note: Michael Taylor is the Deputy Commissioner for Foods and Veterinary Medicine at the FDA. His boss, Margaret Hamburg, is the Commissioner of Food and Drugs and is in charge of the FDA. FDA Org chart
22. March against Monsanto stirs up the GMO debate | syracuse.com
23. Dave Murphy: The March to Stop Monsanto: Taking Back Our Food, Our Farms, Our Democracy and Our Planet
24. Xia, Rosanna (May 25, 2013). Hundreds in L.A. march in global protest against Monsanto, GMOs. Los Angeles Times.
25. bos/AFP, Der Spiegel. May 26, 2013 Umstrittener Gen-Konzern: Weltweite Proteste gegen Monsanto [English translation via Google Translate Accessed May 28, 2013
26. Challenging Monsanto: Over two million march the streets of 436 cities, 52 countries — RT News

External links

• Facebook
• Official website
• Event map
• Images from Washington Post

• Protest marches
• Activism stubs
• Genetic engineering in the United States