DC Activists March Against Food Giant Monsanto

Hundreds rallied at the White House Saturday to protest corporate food giant Monsanto and its lobbying to keep Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) labels off its products. They walked to Monsanto’s headquarters several blocks away, where they picketed against Monsanto, its products and pesticide use on corn, wheat and other agribusiness staples.

Their concerns center around the reported health effects GMOs are having on children and those with autoimmune diseases.

They also highlighted studies which link neonicotinoids, a chemical Monsanto uses in pesticides, to a massive die-off of pollinators such as bees and fruit bats. A recent report said over 50% of bee colonies have died since 1945, with increasing worldwide use of pesticides containing neonicotinoids. These chemicals are the active ingredient widely used to kill insects which prey on produce.

The protest was repeated in over 400 cities worldwide, representing a growing grassroots campaign against the food giant.

Food activist Adam Edinger said he was concerned about chemicals Monsanto uses in agriculture and GMOs they spice into it. “We want chemical out of our food’” he said. “They’ve been fighting us [over] just even knowing what we’re eating. We want labels on GMO foods,” he said.

Sister Riso-Dia believes that Monsanto’s use of GMOs spliced into food such as rice, corn and wheat pose health risks to consumers. “I am afraid to eat the food that has been spliced with the same product that is the main ingredient in Agent Orange, and that’s what glyphosphate is,” she said.

Edinger said that he believes the grass roots actions against Monsanto are starting to have an effect on consumer interest. And Monsanto may be losing the battle over GMO labeling according to a recent report. Fast food chain Chipotle and grocery chain Whole Foods have entirely moved away from foods containing GMOs due to consumer demand.

Many activists carries GMO made signs, some dressed as bees and others such as Edinger wore white clean suits to ward off toxic chemical exposure. Organizers also drove three cars mounted with GMO characters, known as the “Fishy Fleet.” The Fishy Fleet has been driven across the country since 2013 to highlight GMOs in food. “We want natural foods to be widespread,” said Edinger.