May, 28 2014, 04:35pm EDT
Beekeepers and Activists Swarm Lowe's Annual Shareholder Meeting in Charlotte Demanding an End to Bee-Killing Pesticides
On Friday May 30th, outside of Lowe's Annual Shareholder Meeting, members of SumOfUs.org, joined by beekeepers from around the country, and a giant inflatable bee, will draw attention to the corporation's continued sale of neonicotinoids, commonly known as neonics, a type of pesticides that has been linked to the collapse of bee populations worldwide.
WHEN: Friday, May 30th. Protest and visuals start at 8:00am ET. Press conference and remarks at 9:00am ET. Lowe's Shareholder Meeting starts at 10:00am ET.
CHARLOTTE, NC
On Friday May 30th, outside of Lowe's Annual Shareholder Meeting, members of SumOfUs.org, joined by beekeepers from around the country, and a giant inflatable bee, will draw attention to the corporation's continued sale of neonicotinoids, commonly known as neonics, a type of pesticides that has been linked to the collapse of bee populations worldwide.
WHEN: Friday, May 30th. Protest and visuals start at 8:00am ET. Press conference and remarks at 9:00am ET. Lowe's Shareholder Meeting starts at 10:00am ET.
WHERE: 10000 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy, at the intersection of John J. Delaney Dr. Charlotte, NC 28277
Beekeepers outside join Lowe's shareholders inside asking the corporation to remove bee-killing neonic pesticides from its shelves, and to promote alternative products that are not toxic to bees. More than 730,000 people have signed onto a petition from SumOfUs.org, urging Lowe's and Home Depot to stop selling the bee-killing pesticides.
VIEW THE PETITION HERE: SumOfUs.org/LowesBees
"From all over the world, tens of thousands of everyday Lowe's customers and shareholders are urging Lowe's to think about the impact that these dangerous bee-killing pesticides have on our food supply chain and the company's brand," said Paul Ferris, campaign director at SumOfUs.org. "It's time for Lowe's to remove bee-killing pesticides from its shelves and supply chain."
"North Carolinians are deeply concerned about the threats facing our state insect, the honeybee," said Levy Schroeder, Executive Director at Toxic Free NC. "Lowe's should be truly bee-friendly and take toxic pesticides off the shelves."
Neonicotinoids have been the focus of many recent studies, which have found repeatedly that even small amounts of the chemical have been found to have 'sub-lethal' and even deadly effects on wildlife. Earlier this year, the European Union issued a two year moratorium on the use of neonics. The latest study, conducted by Harvard University and released on May 9th, 2014, strengthens the link between neonicotinoid pesticides and the collapse of Honeybee colonies.
VIEW THE REPORT HERE: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/study-strengthens-link-between-neonicotinoids-and-collapse-of-honey-bee-colonies/
For more information, or for interviews with SumOfUs.org or beekeepers involved in Friday's action, please contact Melissa Byrne at 609-364-4267 or Brett Abrams at 516-841-1105 or by email at brett@fitzgibbonmedia.com.
SumOfUs is a community of people from around the world committed to curbing the growing power of corporations. We want to buy from, work for and invest in companies that respect the environment, treat their workers well and respect democracy. And we're not afraid to hold them to account when they don't. Barely a day goes by without a fresh corporate scandal making headlines. From polluting the environment to dodging taxes - when left unchecked, corporations don't let anything stand in the way of bigger profits. In an age of multinational companies that are bigger and richer than some countries, it can be easy to feel powerless. But there is a chink in their armor. The biggest corporations in the world rely on ordinary people to keep them in business. We are their customers, their employees, and often their investors. When we act together, we can be more powerful than they are. Together, our community of millions act as a global consumer watchdog - running and winning campaign
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