The protest entitled “March Against Monsanto” was aimed at drawing attention to the dangers posed by genetically modified food and seed, or GMOs, and the companies that produce them, particularly Monsanto.
According to founder and organizer Tami Canal, speaking to the Guardian newspaper, genetically modified plants are grown from seeds that are engineered to resist insecticides and herbicides, add nutritional benefits, or otherwise improve crop yields and increase the global food supply. Most corn, soybean and cotton crops grown in the United States today have been genetically modified. But some say genetically modified organisms can lead to serious health conditions and harm the environment.
In terms of real clout, two million is not a large turnout on a global level, but the protest made clear people’s concerns about how agro-food giants like Monsanto are taking over the agricultural and food sectors, and the perceived dangers posed by GM crops and seeds and the lack of labeling of GMO foods in the U.S.
As the Guardian reports, the use of GMOs has been a growing issue of contention in recent years, with health advocates pushing for mandatory labelling of genetically modified products even though the federal government and many scientists say the technology is safe.
The “March Against Monsanto” movement began just a few months ago, when Canal created a Facebook page on 28 February calling for a rally against the company’s practices. “If I had gotten 3,000 people to join me, I would have considered that a success,” she told the newspaper. Instead, she said, two million responded to her message.
Together with Seattle blogger and activist Emilie Rensink and Nick Bernabe of Anti-Media.org, Canal worked with A Revolt.org digital anarchy to promote international awareness of the event. She called the turnout “incredible” and credited social media for being a vehicle for furthering opportunities for activism.
Vandana Shiva – A March Against Monsanto is a March for Life and Freedom – 25th May 2013
