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| '''March Against Monsanto''' (MAM) is an international ] movement founded by American Tami Canal in February 2013 in response to the failure of ]. The March Against Monsanto group focuses on protesting genetically modified products made by the ] corporation and calling for mandatory labeling laws. The group also opposes the ], popularly known as the "Monsanto Protection Act". | |||
| '''March Against Monsanto''' (MAM) is an international grass roots movement as well as a protest against the ] corporation and ] (GMOs).<ref></ref> 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.<ref name=autogenerated3></ref> | |||
| Founded by Tami Canal in February 2013, the movement was created in response to the failure of ]. Canal said that the movement would continue its "anti-GMO cause" beyond the initial event.<ref></ref> A "follow up" march is scheduled for July 20, 2013. | |||
| MAM supports mandatory GMO labeling laws and opposes the ] (labeled the "Monsanto Protection Act" by critics).<ref name="RT-eve"/><ref></ref><ref name=autogenerated1></ref> | |||
| ==Background== | ==Background== | ||
| March Against Monsanto was formed by Tami Monroe Canal, a |
March Against Monsanto was formed by Tami Monroe Canal, a political organizer from ].<ref>Nowles, David (May 8, 2012). . ''The New York Daily News''.</ref> Canal was frustrated by the failure of ] which would have required companies to label ]. Canal first promoted the concept via ] on Feb 23rd, 2013. The group posted a message on their Facebook page that read: | ||
| ⚫ | <blockquote>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.<ref name="RT-eve">. ''RT''. May 24, 2013.</ref></blockquote> | ||
| Canal first promoted the concept via Facebook on Feb 23rd, 2013.<ref>http://www.facebook.com/MarchAgainstMonsanto</ref> The group posted a mission statement on their Facebook page that read: | |||
| The Facebook page eventually attracted 85,000 members.<ref>Taryn, Utiger (May 21, 2013). NZ urged to remain GE-free zone. ''Taranaki Daily News''. p. 4.</ref> Canal and activist Emilie Rensink and Nick Bernabe of Anti-Media.org worked with A Revolt.org digital anarchy to promote the march.<ref name="AP"/> ] also participated in organizing the marches.<ref>Staff (April 23, 2013). . ''Al Jazeera''.</ref> According to organizers, people in more than in 450 cities in 65 countries and all 6 populated continents participate in the March Against Monsanto.<ref>Staff (2013). . March Against Monsanto. Accessed May 26 2013.</ref> | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| By May 21st the Facebook page had attracted 85,000 members.<ref>Taryn, Utiger (May 21, 2013). NZ urged to remain GE-free zone. ''Taranaki Daily News''. p. 4.</ref> Canal and activists Emilie Rensink and Nick Bernabe and a group of Admins of A.revolt.org - digital anarchy utilized various social media sites to promote the march online.<ref name="AP"/> | |||
| ⚫ | Two days before the group held their protest, the ] rejected an amendment that would allow states to require labeling of genetically modified foods.<ref name="RT-eve"/> | ||
| ==Issues== | |||
| ]] | |||
| Most of the corn, soybeans and cotton currently grown in the United States is genetically modified. MAM protesters as well as some health advocates and ] such as Senator ] have recently been pushing for mandatory GMO labeling.<ref></ref><ref>http://thelead.blogs.cnn.com/2013/05/28/millions-protest-genetically-modified-food-monsanto/</ref> Anti-GMO advocates point to studies they believe prove GMOs can lead to serious health consequences.<ref></ref> Protesters addressed the issue with 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</ref> | |||
| Ninety percent of Americans favor GMO labeling, however attempts to require it have been unsuccessful.<ref></ref> ] 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></ref> | |||
| MAM demonstrators urged supporters to buy only ] and to boycott Monsanto-owned companies. The Los Angeles MAM organizer said, "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></ref> | |||
| Supporters of the movement claimed Monsanto’s genetically modified seeds have an effect on bee population, holding signs printed with "All we are saying is give bees a chance", and citing connections between GM seeds and ] (CCD).<ref name=autogenerated3 /> | |||
| ] | |||
| Protesters also took issue with the amount of influence Monsanto has in Washington, claiming the company has gone "too far".<ref></ref> Former Monsanto employees hold top positions in the US food safety agencies ] and the ], leading to claims that the "fox is guarding the hen house". The "revolving door" was a common theme at the March for Monsanto in Maui. 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. There are 66 countries that banned this for health reasons. Why are we still doing it?"<ref></ref> | |||
| 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></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></ref><ref></ref> | |||
| Anti-Monsanto advocates further claim the patent rights to seeds lead to a cycle of dependence on the company. From an editorial in ],<ref></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 /> | |||
| ==March== | ==March== | ||
| ⚫ | Two days before the group held their protest, the ] rejected an amendment that would allow states to require labeling of genetically modified foods.<ref name="RT-eve"/> | ||
| ]] | |||
| On May 25, 2013 protests took place in at least 436 cities in 52 countries around the world.<ref>CTV Kitchener (May 25, 2013). . CTV Television Network.</ref><ref name="AP">Associated Press (May 25, 2013). . ''USA Today''.</ref><ref>Xia, Rosanna (May 25, 2013). . ''Los Angeles Times''.</ref><ref>bos/AFP, Der Spiegel. May 26, 2013 Accessed May 28, 2013</ref> According to ], the event was attended by over 2 million people; organizers estimated a total of 2 million. ] reported the same number, but said they could not independently verify it.<ref name="CNN">. ''].'' Retrieved 29 May 2013</ref><ref></ref> | |||
| On May 25, 2013, the global protest took place. According to ], hundreds of people marched in ] and an estimated 200,000 marched worldwide.<ref>CTV Kitchener (May 25, 2013). . CTV Television Network.</ref> According to the Associated Press, rallies took place in ] and other cities in Argentina, ], ] (police estimate 6,000), ] (~300), ], ] (~800), ] (~200), ] (~1,000), and ]. (~80).<ref name="AP">Associated Press (May 25, 2013). . ''USA Today''.</ref> According to the LA Times, hundreds marched in Los Angeles.<ref>Xia, Rosanna (May 25, 2013). . ''Los Angeles Times''.</ref> | |||
| ==Response== | |||
| According to the German magazine Der Spiegel, protests took place in Chicago, New York, London, Stockholm, Durban, Melbourne, Paris, ("several hundred"), Strasbourg (~450), Wageningen in the Netherlands (~3,000), Amsterdam (~1200), Vienna ("several hundred"), Berlin (~300), and Munich (~300).<ref>bos/AFP, Der Spiegel. May 26, 2013 Accessed May 28, 2013</ref> | |||
| 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."<ref></ref> | |||
| ⚫ | ==See Also== | ||
| ], 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."<ref></ref> | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| ==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 ] on October 12, 2013.<ref name=autogenerated2 /><ref>https://www.facebook.com/MomsAcrossAmerica?directed_target_id=0&filter=2</ref> | |||
| ⚫ | * ] | ||
| The organizers announced a "United Global Monsanto Mega March" via their Facebook page. The event is scheduled for July 20th 2013. A 2014 "March Against Monsanto" is scheduled for May 24.<ref>https://www.facebook.com/events/608030085874029/?ref=3</ref> | |||
| ⚫ | ==See |
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| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| ⚫ | * ] | ||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
| ⚫ | {{reflist |
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| == External links == | |||
| {{commonscat|March Against Monsanto, 25 May 2013}} | {{commonscat|March Against Monsanto, 25 May 2013}} | ||
| ⚫ | {{reflist}} | ||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * from ] | |||
| * from ''GMO free USA'' ] page | |||
| * from ] | |||
| {{Monsanto}} | |||
| {{Genetic engineering}} | |||
| {{DEFAULTSORT:Monsanto, March Against}} | |||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 23:37, 2 June 2013
March Against Monsanto (MAM) is an international grass roots movement founded by American Tami Canal in February 2013 in response to the failure of California proposition 37. The March Against Monsanto group focuses on protesting genetically modified products made by the Monsanto corporation and calling for mandatory labeling laws. The group also opposes the Farmer Assurance Provision, popularly known as the "Monsanto Protection Act".
Background
March Against Monsanto was formed by Tami Monroe Canal, a political organizer from Salt Lake City. Canal was frustrated by 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. The group posted a message 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.
The Facebook page eventually attracted 85,000 members. Canal and activist Emilie Rensink and Nick Bernabe of Anti-Media.org worked with A Revolt.org digital anarchy to promote the march. Anonymous also participated in organizing the marches. According to organizers, people in more than in 450 cities in 65 countries and all 6 populated continents participate in the March Against Monsanto.
March
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.
On May 25, 2013, the global protest took place. According to CTV, hundreds of people marched in Kitchener, Ontario and an estimated 200,000 marched worldwide. According to the Associated Press, rallies took place in Buenos Aires and other cities in Argentina, Portland, Oregon (police estimate 6,000), Bend, Oregon (~300), Orlando, Florida (~800), Pensacola, Florida (~200), Asheville, North Carolina (~1,000), and Birmingham, Alabama. (~80). According to the LA Times, hundreds marched in Los Angeles. According to the German magazine Der Spiegel, protests took place in Chicago, New York, London, Stockholm, Durban, Melbourne, Paris, ("several hundred"), Strasbourg (~450), Wageningen in the Netherlands (~3,000), Amsterdam (~1200), Vienna ("several hundred"), Berlin (~300), and Munich (~300).
See Also
- Genetically modified
- Genetically modified crop
- Genetically modified organism
- Genetically modified food controversies
- Raging Grannies
References
- Nowles, David (May 8, 2012). Stars align in protest against food giant Monsanto over GMO crops. The New York Daily News.
- ^ On the eve of March against Monsanto Senate shoots down GMO labeling bill. RT. May 24, 2013.
- Taryn, Utiger (May 21, 2013). NZ urged to remain GE-free zone. Taranaki Daily News. p. 4.
- ^ Associated Press (May 25, 2013). Protesters around the world march against Monsanto. USA Today.
- Staff (April 23, 2013). March against Monsanto Anonymous plans day of global protest against biotech company. Al Jazeera.
- Staff (2013). Groups protesting Monsanto on May 25th. March Against Monsanto. Accessed May 26 2013.
- 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