Stand Up and Demand Your Freedom to Opt Out of GMO's - Right2Know Marches Through the East Coast from NYC to The White House This October

Advocates for Labeling of Genetically Engineered Food Announce Two Week 'Right2Know' March from 

NYC to White House Oct 1-16

Stand Up and Demand Your Freedom to Opt Out of GMO's 

Right2Know Marches Through the East Coast

As if the mere existence of genetically engineered foods ("Genetically Modified Organisms" or "GMOs") isn't  bad enough, the US Federal Government seems to believe that it is not necessary to insure that consumers are able to opt out of GMO's.  Our government has yet to mandate labeling of genetically engineered foods which would insure that consumers know when they are buying genetically modified foods.  When polled, most people say they do not want to eat GMO's.  Unfortunately, what most consumers do not understand is that most of our corn (and alfalfa, soybeans and canola) is genetically modified in the US.  Most of what you eat with corn in it is therefore, genetically modified.

Monsanto has asserted that GMO's are safe, yet as I told you in June of this year, the GE Toxin Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has recently been found in the blood of pregnant women and baby's cordblood. People must know how to stay safe and forced labeling of genetically modified foods, will insure that consumer's are able to steer clear of all GMO's.  A coalition of organizations, businesses and high profile consumers announced this week that they have a plan to raise awareness and pressure the government about the lack of labeling of Genetically Engineered foods people unknowingly consume. 

The GMO Right2Know March will feature daily events between New York and Washington, DC October 1-16 and thousands of marchers are expected to walk part or all of the 313 miles from the United Nations' Headquarters to the White House.  The marchers are looking for support from communities along the route which can be viewed at Right2KnowMarch.org .   If you live nearby the ruote or even anywhere remotely nearby, please plan now to make the trip during the first two weeks of October to show your support to the marchers.

The March will rally in a broad swath of East Coast cities and towns including:

•  New York: Brooklyn, New York City 
• New Jersey: Jersey City, Newark, Millburn, Union, Springfield, Scotch Plains, New Brunswick, Princeton Pennsylvania: Morrisville, Trevose, Jenkintown, Philadelphia, Springfield 
• Delaware: Wilmington, Hockessin, Newark
• Maryland: Darlington, Monkton, Timonium, Baltimore, Elicott City, Jessup, Laurel, College Park, Takoma Park
• Washington, DC.

"While most Americans agree we have a right to know what is in our food, the federal government has resisted labeling genetically engineered food for over a decade," says Right2Know March organizer Katherine DiMatteo, President of IFOAM.   "It's time to demand that the government be responsible to its citizens and enact mandatory labeling of GMOs instead of pretending that GMO crops are the same as traditional crops."

In New York, Washington, DC and along the route, advocates, farmers and business leaders including Vandana Shiva, Percy and Louis Schmeiser, Andrew Kimbrell, Frances Moore Lappѐ, Anna Lappѐ, Sara Snow, Environmental Booty Community Member Dr. Alan Greene, Joseph Wilhelm, Michael Funk, Megan Westgate, David Bronner, Ashley Koff, RD and many others are expected to speak out for GMO Labeling and to inspire citizens to take action to protect themselves and the future of farming.

"Pesticide companies develop Genetically Engineered food crops by combining DNA from plants, animals, bacteria and viruses, to contain or resist pesticide, which results in more pesticides sold and sprayed," says Michael Hansen, Chief Scientist of Consumers Union.  "Genetically engineered foods can be detrimental to our health, just as they are to the environment and farmers' livelihoods. American consumers deserve the choice whether they want to eat GMOs, just like their counterparts in Europe and Japan," says Hansen who will join kick off of the March October 1 at the United Nations in New York.

The orginizational support for the GMO "Right2Know" march has been impressive.  Supporting organizations include: the International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements (IFOAM), Non-GMO Project, Center for Food Safety, Food Democracy Now, National Co-operative Grocer Association, Organic Trade Association, The Organic Center, the Independent Natural Food Retailers Association (INFRA), Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance, and the Northeast Organic Farmers Association of NY. Business sponsors include  Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, Kamut International, Nutiva, Nature's Path Foods, Inc., Organic Valley, Rapunzel, Stonyfield Farm, and United Natural Foods Inc.

"After 30 years and billions of dollars in research, only two principal traits have been successfully developed: herbicide tolerance and insecticide production. Despite industry promises, there are no GMO traits currently on the market for increased yield, drought tolerance, enhanced nutrition, or any other humanitarian or environmental benefit," says Megan Westgate, Executive Director of the Non-GMO Project, fiscal sponsor of the Right2Know March. "Americans should have the right to opt out of this experiment, and this march is about standing up and demanding that freedom."

If you want more information,  call the Right2Know March Hotline at 202.557.5164 or email erica@right2knowmarch.org .

P.S.- I am really glad that you stopped by our Environmental Booty Blog and I hope you have learned or shared a thing or two.  I hope that , now that you've found us,  you won't lose us!  You can "Like" us on our new Facebook fanpage, join our green living online community, subscribe to our posts,  download our community toolbar or Tweet with me on Twitter to stay in touch!  - Shane*

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