Wow. On Saturday 25 May 2013, two million people worldwide marched against Monsanto, reported the Guardian. (Image above by Phillip Martin of the Durban protest from No GMO South Africa).
One of the top ten US chemical companies – think Agent Orange and DDT -Monsanto started buying up seed companies in the 1980s. Now it is the biggest producer of GM (genetically modified) seed.
Portman Square Bristol BS2 Sat 25 May 2013
Here in Bristol, we chanted: “We don’t want no GMO.”
GM (genetically modified) technology is based on the outdated scientific premise that a gene is responsible for a characteristic. So all you have to do is add a desired characteristic from one species into another species and ta da, you have a nice new genetically modified organism (GMO).
It’s nothing like traditional breeding because it crosses species barriers, creating organisms that would never exist in nature.
Once a seed is genetically modified it can be patented – which means the company that patents it, owns it.
Which means you can now prosecute farmers who have your patented seeds on their fields. Even even if the seeds arrived (as seeds do) by wind or bees.
Check out GMO Myths and Truths for more info. This fully-referenced report shows that Monsanto et al‘s claims – that GM crops yield better, reduce pesticide use, and are safe to eat – are dubious.
Also check out: GM Education, GM Freeze and GM Watch. Also: Thierry Vrain, former pro-GM research scientist for Agriculture Canada now promoting awareness of the many dangers of GM food.
Back to the march.
Well, despite some “trolling” beforehand including fake reports that marches were not going to happen, or would be violent, they happened and they were 100% peaceful.
See these pics of the London march and below.
Bianca Jagger – image from
http://www.demotix.com/
I was a steward (I have an NVQ in Green Stewarding, I’ll have you know) for the approx 500-strong Bristol march and I can report it was filled with good humour and co-operation.
Portland Square Bristol BS2 Sat 25 May 2013
As we waited at Portland Square before setting off from the march, a man with a beautifully-ironed shirt volunteered he had escaped his “corporate pay masters” to support us.
“O, that’s great,”I said. “Are you coming on the march?”
Well, no, he wasn’t because he had already been there 45 minutes already.
He said Monsanto probably had some observers at the march but they were likely dressed in a “bohemian” way.
He was keen to meet local organisers but was uninterested when I suggested Bristol Friends of the Earth.
Monsanto has used a PR firm in the past to discredit opposition and according to some, employed a security firm to monitor activists online.
I think a security firm will have its work cut-out. The thing is there is not one over-arching or hierarchical body behind people like us.
These marches are organic and spontaneous – the human spirit rising up to protect our food.
After the march, Julia and I went to the VegFest (above), and reaped the benefits of a happy healthy food movement.
Who would have thought that wholesome food could be subversive?
Real Food Lover 