A big part of BxB is not just making t-shirts but making sure to be involved in spreading awareness as this is the foundation of our company. The message comes first.
This past Saturday marked the third annual global protest where thousands of people across the world joined together in a global movement against American biotech giant Monsanto. Activists from over 400 cities and 48 countries spoke out against GMOs and Monsanto’s monopoly over the food supply. This is a very real and serious issue. It's important to take notice of what we are putting into our bodies and where our food comes from. What happens in that process? When you start looking into it the answers are not pleasant and not what you would want them to be.
Monsanto is a large biotech corporation based out of St. Louis, MO with locations all over the world. They are responsible for many toxic chemicals created and used in the industry for decades including Roundup (Glyphosate), Agent Orange, 2,4-D, Dioxin, Aspartame, rBGH, PCBs, MSG and others. The most widely used chemical across the globe is their herbicide product called Roundup which is made with the chemical Glyphosate. Glyphosate has been quoted by the Wold Health Organization and the U.N. as a "Probable Human Carcinogen". Since GM crops are Roundup Ready and resistant to the herbicide, they require more application of the chemical which in turn has created superweeds and superbugs. GMOs are banned or restricted in 60 countries but there are no regulations in the United States. Although the countries that ban the GM seeds still use Monsanto's Roundup so the toxic chemicals are still contaminating the food and the environment.
Among these many issues comes a mountain of other corrupt and shady business that Monsanto conducts in conjunction with other companies in different markets. So we feel it's important to ban together and get the word out to the masses about this bio hazard corporation controlling many resources in the world. Los Angeles had an amazing turn out of protesters who blocked the streets leading up to Griffith Park during the 2 mile march. Aztec dancers lead our fleet playing their beautiful drums and rattles followed by teams of people holding large banners with "March Against Monsanto Los Angeles". I was so proud to be united among strangers who were all supporting the same cause. What a beautiful thing despite the ominous tone of what we are fighting for.
Our chants of "Hell No GMO" and "Monsanto Has Got To Go" rang loud in the streets with bystanders rushing out of stores and businesses to take a look at what was going on or people stopping to take video on their iphones. As we passed out flyers with info about why we were marching people seemed very interested and thanked us for speaking out. We had lots of passing cars honking and yelling out of their windows "Hell No GMO" with a thumbs up.
The protest ended in the park with a potluck, public speaking, and live screen printing. I would say it was a success. Thanks to all who came out to march. I hope our crowd continues to grow for next year.
You may be asking yourself what can you do to help. Here's some tips:
- Vote with your wallet
- Buy organic foods
- Shop at your local Farmer's Market and buy from farmers who practice pesticide free farming
- Grow your own foods using heirloom and organic seeds
- Don't buy processed foods
- Don't support companies who lobby against labeling GMOs or who use GMOs in their products. Some companies are: Starbucks, General Mills, Coke, Nestle, Pepsi, Kashi, Morningstar Farms, Kellogg, Campbells, Smuckers, Del Monte, Simply Orange, and many more. For a full list of companies go here and here.
- Support companies who are Pro-GMO labeling seen here.
- Don't eat fast food. Some of the largest supporters against GMO labeling who also use GMO ingredients are fast food companies.
- Sign petitions asking our congress to support labeling and stop poisoning our food
http://www.justlabelit.org/ and http://www.nongmoproject.org/ for more info - Educate yourself on these issues so you are able to discuss with your peers and family members
- Join us next year in your city for MAM
Download the flyer I made and distributed at the march
