March Against Monsanto has announced that marches are being planned on six continents, in 52 countries, totaling events in over 400 cities on Saturday. Chattanoogans will meet at Miller Park at 2 p.m. Participants are encouraged to arrive at 1:30 p.m. for sign making.
There will be a group singing action lead by Chattanooga Organized for Action's Justice School Choir.
Organizers said, There will be a presentation and skit by Move to Amend of Chattanooga, explaining how Monsanto gained the constitutional rights of people and what we can do about it. We will March to Renaissance Park where we will have a general assembly and breakout groups on topics like seed swapping, composting, GMO labeling, and much more facilitated by Occupy Chattanooga."
Live music will be provided by Jonathan Kane. There will be chalk art.
Following the march on Sun Oct 13th Fair Share is sponsoring a pot-luck, documentary, and discussion at the location of their Grow Hope youth farm project at 1800 Roanoke Ave., starting at 4 p.m.
Organizers said, "Take a tour of the 'Grow Hope' project, meet our chickens, and Norman and Rocky- our goats! Bring your favorite dish. Enjoy some delicious grub while watching “Edible Cities, Growing the Revolution.” Then join us in a discussion afterward."
Patricia Bazemore, lead organizer of the Chattanooga March Against Monsanto, said, “Over 90% of Americans want genetically modified foods labeled. Yet, over 70% of our processed foods contain GMOs. None are labeled. 64 countries require GMO labeling but the US does not. Our political system that deems Monsanto's money as speech has allowed their voice to be louder than ours. Monsanto spend millions on funding candidates that will put Monsanto's profits over the people they represent. Monsanto spend millions on defeating state initiatives to label GMO's. Their executives use their money and influence to gain positions in the FDA and other agencies that are supposed to regulate them. It's time we join together and demand an end to corporate rule by companies like Monsanto. It's time that our government carry out the will of the people, not their biggest campaign contributors. Join us!"
Christina Anne Besh, registered nurse, said, “Most GMO's are modified so that if a bug bites the plant it dies or they are modified so that mass amounts of pesticides and herbicides can be sprayed on them without killing them. I want to know if these plants and all these chemicals are in the food I'm feeding my children. I don't think a chemical company known for producing Agent Orange should produce and control the majority of our seeds. ”
Tami Monroe Canal, founder of March Against Monsanto (MAM), was inspired to start the movement to protect her two daughters. “Monsanto's predatory business and corporate agricultural practices threatens their generation's health, fertility and longevity. MAM supports a sustainable food production system. We must act now to stop GMOs and harmful pesticides.”