What a great day yesterday. Gorgeous and 70° in Raleigh. Perfect for joining about 500 people to March Against Monsanto.
I wonder what causes people to take action or not. Five hundred people is a pretty good crowd for Raleigh, I think, but as educated and progressive as the area is I would have hoped for more.
It is an interesting time in America, with the Obama administration’s assault on the press, the continued use of the Patriot Act and statements like this one from a Huffington Post article discussing efforts to undo the Monsanto Protection Act:
"This particular amendment would interfere with the FDA's science-based process to determine what food labeling is necessary for consumers," Stabenow said.
Really. This nut job senator from Michigan thinks that consumers can’t make an informed decision? That we don’t have the right to make an informed decision? At least checks and balances still work sometimes in our country, thanks to the court system, as shown by the this victory: Vernon Hershberger Trial Verdict: Acquitted on Three of Four Charges.
Food Democracy Now, The Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund and other organizations are fighting the good fight with our support, but they need more help. I am not talking about funding help, but about your voices, your letters and your time.
Our rights have been threatened and taken away bit by bit. It is insidious and allowable given the vast majority of lethargic Americans. I am saddened by the number of “well educated, professional” people who don’t know who Monsanto is or what is happening to their food rights, let alone the other assaults on our freedom. Even so, we are starting to awaken, and that awakening is gaining momentum.
Participating in yesterday’s March Against Monsanto was not just the patriotic and correct decision for my family, but it was fun. The crowd started quietly, but as the march went on our voices grew. Cars honked and people waved and shouted support. We started and ended at the capitol – 500 people doing our best to make our concerns known.
I am grateful to all who participated in Raleigh and around the world. We must exercise our right to assemble so that we can begin to reclaim the freedoms we have lost and prevent the loss of more.
Will you be able to make the next march?
Comments