March Against Monsanto, May 24, 2014 in San Diego.
The City of San Diego is gearing up against Monsanto, the giant corporate producer of such products as Roundup and the star of the GMO world. There is a lot going on in this town around Monsanto.
First, there is a march and rally scheduled for Saturday, May 23, 2015 starting at 10 a.m. in Balboa Park. This will be the fourth “March Against Monsanto” in San Diego – with the first march reportedly drew more than 2,400 participants. Organizers expect a large turnout and heavy media coverage this year due to the World Health Organization announcement that Monsanto’s Roundup is carcinogenic.
Second, the City of San Diego and the San Diego Port District are suing Monsanto for polluting San Diego Bay with PCBs.
And then there’s the highly publicized announcement that the Chipotle Restaurant chain is banning GMOs.
San Diego and the Port Sue Monsanto
The City of San Diego and the San Diego Port District are suing Monsanto for pollution of San Diego Bay with PCBs, invented by Monsanto. From the March 16 complaint:
“PCBs manufactured by Monsanto have been found in Bay sediments and water and have been identified in tissues of fish, lobsters, and other marine life in the Bay. PCB contamination in and around the Bay affects all San Diegans and visitors who enjoy the Bay, who reasonably would be disturbed by the presence of a hazardous, banned substance in the sediment, water, and wildlife.
“PCBs were not only a substantial factor in causing the City and Port District to incur damages, but a primary driving force behind the need to clean up and abate Bay sediments. In addition, fish consumption warnings are posted at locations in and around Bay tidelands warning the public that fish within the Bay may contain contaminants and directing consumption limitations.”
The complaint seeks to recoup the costs to not only remove PCBs from the Bay but also pay for the loss of natural resources.
Here’s San Diego Reader Coverage:
Here’s why the San Diego case against Monsanto is unique. From Think Progress, in an article entitled, “San Diego’s New Lawsuit Shows Just How Hard It Is To Hold Polluters Accountable”, the comment is made:
“Other cities have sued over PCB pollution, but San Diego’s case is unique. Other PCB-contaminated areas mostly fall under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 — better known as Superfund — a federal law meant to provide cleanup of the nation’s most polluted sites. But San Diego is using a claim of public nuisance to bring a case against Monsanto.”
The March and Rally
On Sat., May 23, 2015, people are encouraged to arrive at 10am to visit educational displays, followed by the Rally at 11am, and the March, starting at Noon. The event location is the “Science Center Fountain” at Balboa Park, between the Ruben H. Fleet Space Theater and the Natural History Museum. Parking is plentiful and free.
Several speakers will address the marchers at 11am and include Michelle Ciccarelli Lerach, an attorney, entrepreneur, TED Talks presenter, and dynamic vocal proponent of GMO labeling and Leslie Goldman, a grassroots food activist, recipient of a United Nations Peace Medal, writer and blogger whose Plant Your Dream blog is nearing 14 million page views. Also, Dr. Bronner, known nationally for his amazing organic and fair trade soaps, and recognized as one of the greatest local philanthropists sponsoring a variety of sustainable projects.
MARCH: Two lengths, 1.5 miles and 3.5 miles. Both routes will first cross the historic Cabrillo Bridge (Laurel St.) and pause to wave signs to the traffic on Route 163 below. Photographers are advised to arrange for a pass to the Balboa Tower for a great view of the crowd, who will turn and face the tower for a fantastic photo op at approximately 12:30pm.
POSTPARTY: At World Beat Center: food available, discussions, social networking. (World Beat Center is about 0.4 mile south of the fountain on Park Ave.)
CHIPOTLE GOES GMO FREE
Organizers pointed out that there are many other local restaurants that are already GMO free, but the announcement by 1700-location Chipotle will definitely be a game changer and other major restaurants will now feel the pressure to make a healthy choice, and farmers will realize that partnering with Monsanto is a bad business decision.
Union Tribune: “CHIPOTLE CHAIN ELIMINATES GMO INGREDIENTS”
“Chipotle is now GMO-free” — CNN Money (2015-04-27) Cristina Alesci —
OVERPASS LIGHT BRIGADE (May 22)
WHEN: May 22, 2015, 7:45pm
WHERE: Meet at Mission Bay Visitor Center, 2688 East Mission Bay Drive, 92109 just west of the Clairemont Dr. / I-5 overpass.
WHAT: Hold lighted signs on Overpass to “Stop Monsanto”
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
The WHO said there was a “likely probability” that glyphosphate was carcinogenic. Its in the same category as wood burning fireplaces and working the night shift. The toxicity of roundup is lower than table salt, according to ld50.
Take chipotles claim with a grain of salt too. They still serve sodas from corn syrup. Their cheese comes from chymosin/rennet, which is gmo. i have also read that they switched to a sunflower oil that developed insecticide resistance through mutagenesis, but i am not positive about that final point.
Its interesting that someone who calls soap magic wilk be talking about science.