March Against Monsanto

March Against Monsanto has announced that on May 21, 2016, tens of thousands of activists around the world will “March Against Monsanto.” Currently, marches are being planned on six continents, in 36 countries, totaling events in over 250 cities. In the US, events are slated to occur simultaneously at 11 a.m. Pacific Time in 47 states, which means Philadelphia’s March is a 2 PM.

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-lead research on the long-term effects of GMO products. GMO Free PA is currently working to stop the GMA and Bio Tech companies from passing the Roberts’s Bill on the Senate Floor. This bill is the Senate version of “The D.A.R.K. ACT”, which passed on the House floor in July 2015. More information at http://www.gmofreepa.org/gmo-free-pa/#.Vw45B2O1XDk.

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 GMO seeds are harmful to the environment; for example, scientists have indicated they have caused colony collapse among the world’s bee population.
The theme this year at Philadelphia is, “We the People Declare Food Independence.” We are having a solution fair before and after the March. We will gather at the Municipal Service Building/Thomas Paine Plaza, 1401 JFK Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19102. Time 12 – 6 with the March at 2 PM. We are seeking like-minded organizations to set up a table before and after the March for outreach and solutions to our food system. Please email righttoknowpa@gmail.com if interested. Updated information at www.gmofreepa.org and the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MarchAgainstMonsantoPhiladelphia/.