June, 04 2013, 01:07pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Kayla Keller: 281-682-6212: kayla@fitzgibbonmedia.com
Brett Abrams : 516-841-1105 : brett@fitzgibbonmedia.com
Connecticut Passes Groundbreaking GMO Labeling Bill with Bi-Partisan Support
Food Democracy Now! and Connecticut grassroots organizations played an instrumental role in passing legislation
Hartford, CT
Food Democracy Now!, a grassroots movement of more than 650,000 farmers and citizens, applaud Connecticut legislation forenacting first-in-the-nation legislation requiring the labeling of food containing genetically modified ingredients. Despite relentless lobbying efforts from the Farm Bureau and biotech interests, legislators demonstrated bi-partisan support of the labeling bill in both the House and the Senate acknowledging the influence of grassroots pressure.
"The grassroots have won in Connecticut for a key victory over Monsanto and the biotech lobby," said Dave Murphy, founder and executive director of Food Democracy Now! "It was inspiring to watch Connecticut legislators supporting GMO labeling stand strong in the face of the biotech industry's effort to kill the bill. As the President of the Senate Don Williams said, "citizen advocates have turned the tide."
There is a trigger clause included with the bill, which means that it will go into effect when four states, not including this state, enact a mandatory labeling law for genetically engineered foods.
"It has been amazing to witness the power of the grassroots in this David vs. Goliath battle. Connecticut has passed a strong bill that will protect consumers as it should. Food Democracy Now! has stood behind the grassroots in Connecticut from the beginning and will continue to support this momentum as it sweeps across the nation" said Lisa Stokke, founder and director of Food Democracy Now!.
For interviews with Dave Murphy or Lisa Stokke from Food Democracy Now!, please contact Brett Abrams at 516-841-1105 or by email atbrett@fitzgibbonmedia.com.
Food Democracy Now! is a grassroots community dedicated to building a sustainable food system that protects our natural environment, sustains farmers and nourishes families.
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The peace coalition No Tech for Apartheid accused Google of a "flagrant act of retaliation" late Wednesday night as the Silicon Valley giant announced it had fired 28 workers over protests against its cloud services contract with the Israeli government.
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No Tech for Apartheid said in a statement that Google officials called the police to both offices to arrest nine protesters—dubbed the Nimbus Nine—on Tuesday morning, before utilizing "a dragnet of in-office surveillance" to fire nearly two dozen other employees on Wednesday.
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Google accused the workers of "bullying," "harassment," defacing property, and physically impeding other employees—allegations No Tech for Apartheid rejected as it noted organizers "have yet to hear from a single executive about" their concerns over Google's collaboration with Israel.
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