Wichitans protest Monsanto

From Wichita Peace and Freedom Party Examiner;

Political activists here in Wichita took part in a march against Monsanto and their Genetically Modified Organisms (seeds) or GMOs. They joined people in more than 250 cities in the U.S. today, who are concerned that the seeds Monsanto sell to farmers are unsafe.

“I was motivated to meet here with people from all over this country who want the freedom to know what they are eating,” said Charlie King, a local activist and a member of the Peace and Social Justice Center of South Central Kansas.

One main point to these protests is the "Monsanto Protection Act," which some members of the U.S. Congress tried to overturn last week. That act protects Monsanto from selling seeds that may prove to be harmful. Monsanto is also protected from having to label its seeds with any ingredients that are considered dangerous.

“If you are so proud of your products, why are you so afraid to put what’s in your product on your labels?” King asked of Monsanto rhetorically.

At least 200 people attended the march which started at out from the Farmers Market at 1st and Mosley and went towards the Warren Old Town Theater square.

“There were a lot of good signs and artwork,” King said.

One sign used in the march said:

“Mattresses require a label, why not food.”

Another had a drawing of Mr. Mackey, the bumbling elementary teacher from the cartoon show South Park:

“GMOs
are
Bad
M’Kay”

According to the March Against Monsanto Facebook page:

“Research studies have shown that Monsanto’s genetically-modified foods can lead to serious health conditions such as the development of cancer tumors, infertility and birth defects.

In the United States, the FDA, the agency tasked with ensuring food safety for the population, is steered by ex-Monsanto executives, and we feel that’s a questionable conflict of interests and explains the lack of government-lead research on the long-term effects of GMO products.

Recently, the U.S. Congress and president collectively passed the nicknamed “Monsanto Protection Act” that, among other things, bans courts from halting the sale of Monsanto’s genetically-modified seeds.”

Also the Huffington Post reported that congress people who supported Monsanto only considered the needs of the big seed company and the impact such changes in the law will have on them. They completely ignored the protection act’s effects on the consumers and environment.

Genetic altered seeds are causing all kinds of problems for consumers and environmentalists and as has happened in recent years, our national congress persons have disregarded any possible problems for the consumers. They only care about Monsanto and their needs.

Pix from 

Stuart Elliott.