Anti-Monsanto Protests Draw Huge Crowds Around the World (Video)
What began as a call to action on Facebook against Monsanto months ago became a worldwide event Saturday, as demonstrators took to the streets in hundreds of cities spanning more than 50 countries around the globe to protest against the biotech behemoth in a "March Against Monsanto."
What began as a call to action on Facebook against Monsanto months ago became a worldwide event Saturday, as demonstrators took to the streets in hundreds of cities spanning more than 50 countries to protest against the biotech behemoth in a “March Against Monsanto.” The event was meant to highlight and call attention to the dangers of genetically modified products produced by the likes of Monsanto.
According to Tami Canal, who on Feb. 28 created the Facebook page calling for the rally against the agricultural giant, roughly 2 million people participated Saturday.
“If I had gotten 3,000 people to join me, I would have considered that a success,” Canal said, adding, “We will continue until Monsanto complies with consumer demand. They are poisoning our children, poisoning our planet. If we don’t act, who’s going to?”
The Raw Story:
Besides protesting the company’s practice of making genetically-modifying seeds, protesters vowed to make their voices heard against the U.S. Senate after it rejected an amendment introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) that would have allowed states to require labels on foods made with modified ingredients.
Sanders’ amendment failed on Thursday in a 71-27 vote, three days after one of his colleagues, Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), released a statement promising to repeal the so-called “Monsanto Protection Act,” which allows farmers to buy and plant genetically-altered seeds while its regulatory approval is being challenged in court.
Dorothy Muehlmann, who organized the march in Los Angeles, California, told the Los Angeles Times that the protests were also designed to heighten consumer awareness about Monsanto’s business dealings.
“This is not just a ‘boo Monsanto’ protest,” Muehlmann said to the Times. “We want more people to know so they can make their own decisions.”
Watch RT’s report on the protest that took place in New York below:
— Posted by Tracy Bloom.
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