GMO March in San Francisco!

This past Saturday my husband and I were pro-actively part of one of the biggest grassroots movements going on right now in the United States: The Right to Know What’s in Our Food. It’s more official name is Proposition 37 and it would mandate all foods containing GMO’s (genetically modified organisms) to be labeled. Sounds simple enough right? It should be since nearly 50 other countries around the world require labeling including China, Japan, Russia and all of Europe.

So how is it that the United States (who supposedly is one of the top nations in development) does not require labeling. Well, I could go on and on… and on about why we don’t have GMO’s labeled but I can pretty much sum it into one or two words for you: Corporate Greed.

While most people may be relying on our government to make sure they have our health in the number one spot, unfortunately, to be the bearer of bad news, they’re not.

“Ultimately, it is the food producer who is responsible for assuring safety.”
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), “Statement of Policy: Foods Derived from New Plant Varieties” (GMO Policy), Federal Register, Vol. 57, No. 104, 1992, p. 229

But this is what Monsato has to say about that,

“Monsanto should not have to vouchsafe the safety of biotech food. Our interest is in selling as much of it as possible. Assuring its safety is the FDA’s job.“ [The FDA is the US government’s Food and Drug Administration, responsible for food safety]
Philip Angell, Monsanto’s director of corporate communications, “Playing God in the Garden”, New York Times Magazine, 25 October 1998

Wow. That’s comforting isn’t it? It’s time for everyone to wake up and pull their heads out of the sand. Although knowing more than the general public about what’s going on in our food system can sometimes be a little depressing, it’s the only way we can actually make a difference. I’m a firm believer that anything is possible and believe we can see positive changes in the next coming years but it will not happen without the people pushing our government.

This is why I am doing everything I can to be a part of this “food fight of our lives.” When I learned there was going to be a rally and march in San Francisco this past weekend for the labeling of GMO’s, I knew I had to be a part of it. I convinced my husband to go (he’s so good to me) with me and I’m so happy (and so is he) that we made it.

It was a beautiful morning in the city and there were to be an estimated one million people because of the many events going on: Fleet Week, music festivals, Blue Angels performance, Giants baseball game, the list goes on. It was a perfectly executed plan because we would reach far more people than normal. We took the ferry across the bay (didn’t want to deal with traffic) and once we reached the wharf, we walked about 10 blocks south of us to 7th Street and Market. We arrived right after the rally ended but made it in time for the march down Market.

Words can not even begin to describe what an amazing rush of emotions and energy that was being transferred throughout the hundreds of people that attended. I literally teared up a few times as we were marching down Market St. because I was just so overwhelmed with a rollercoaster ride of emotions- I was so happy to be a part of something that will change history!

We marched about 10 blocks and decided to take a pit stop at the San Francisco Chronicle because they came out to say they endorsed the No on 37 Campaign. Really? Come on, Chronicle! Anyway, we let them know how we felt and continued our way to the Embarcadero. There were people beating on drums, everyone had signs, some people dressed up as corn and soybeans. We chanted, “We all have the right to know, if our food is GMO. All we want’s a simple label, for the food that’s on our label. Just label it, don’t table it! Vote Yes on Prop 37!” We had people handing out flyers to anyone and everyone we passed. Hundreds of people had their phones out taking videos and photos of us. People honked in support and people were dancing to the beat. There were two vehicles dressed up in GMO labeling attire with one of them having a huge corn on the top. It was a wonderful thing to be a part of and really generated a lot of energy to continue throughout the day.

I mean, who does not want to eat healthy? What parent would knowingly feed their children something that is harmful to them?

Now, more than ever it’s important to spread the word on this proposition. If you can donate, please donate here. It’s important to not let Monsanto and other big companies win by misleading consumers with their ridiculous, untruthful TV and radio ads. The only way we will win this is if you talk to everyone you know. Let them know that the same companies who created Agent Orange, PCBs, DDT and deemed them safe, are the same companies who are behind the No on 37. And don’t forget to let them know that,

Until next time,
Loriel - Healthy Roots, Happy Soul

This post is part of: Monday Mania