June, 25 2014, 02:10pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Jaccie Phil (619) 735-3635
Nomi Carmona (808) 436-7006
Peace Out GMOs: California and GMO Ground Zero Hawaii Organizations Unite to Peacefully Protest International Biotechnology Industry Organization Convention
SAN DIEGO, Calif.
A statewide California protest has been called for this Thursday as worldwide resistance against the practices of the largest international chemical companies which produce genetically engineered (GE) foods, has sparked the attention of prominent sustainability, food, environmental and water conservation groups across the Pacific. The 2014 Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) International Convention currently being held at the San Diego Convention Center has attracted the opposition of thousands of members of environmental and consumer advocacy groups in California and Hawaii including Babes Against Biotech, Ocean Defenders, March Against Monsanto, March Against Monsanto San Diego, Label GMOs San Diego and Label GMOs (California.) International legendary surf group Da Hui, which defends the oceans and land in Hawaii, is connecting the San Diego and Hawaii surf communities in solidarity with the international food and sustainability movement. .
In the last year over 25,000 Hawaii residents have marched in protest against GE practices and pesticide poisoning in Hawaii which is GMO Ground Zero worldwide. Citizens have united across the globe in advocacy for truly sustainable organic farming, small farmers being sued by the companies and contaminated by GE crops, and the prohibition and moratorium of open air GE crops and associated pesticide promoting practices. The protest targets companies which collectively contributed over $20 million to prevent GMO food labeling in California alone, and are suing the Counties of Hawaii and Kauai to overturn regulatory laws passed to protect residents from pesticide poisoning and genetic contamination of crops. Demonstrators are calling for transparency and truth in labeling, consumer rejection of GE crops and regulatory overhaul of the pesticide and GE industry practices.
Organizers are targeting the world's largest industry trade group BIO and chemical companies manufacturing pesticides and producing pesticide-promoting open air genetically modified organisms (GMOs) across the globe. Corporate offenders include chemical companies Monsanto, Dow, DuPont/Pioneer, BASF, Bayer and Syngenta. These companies are responsible for genetically engineering crops to be sprayed with pesticides linked to birth defects, cancer, environmental biohazards, superfund sites and numerous health concerns. Widespread global genetic contamination of agricultural crops through pollen drift and health and environmental risks of GE associated pesticides, has led to the prohibition and rejection o GE crops in 32 countries and the labeling of GE foods in more than 62 countries.
The peaceful, first amendment demonstration is being called, "Peace Out GMOs."
PICKET DETAILS: Peaceful demonstration. Thursday, June 26th, 2014 12:00PM-5:00PM, San Diego Convention Center. Meet in front of Exhibit Hall D/San Diego Convention Center lobby on the side of Harbor Drive. Please do not obstruct sidewalk, no amplification devices permitted. Please take public transportation if possible. Family-friendly signs requested. Business casual or aloha attire suggested. Twitter storm day before on 6/25 9AM PST/12PM EST continuing all day. #peaceoutgmos #endmonsanto #labelgmos #sandiego #sciencespeaksforitself
FB EVENT PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/events/268876936648861/?source=1
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