Conspiracy on our Shelves : “Better Living Through Chemistry”

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Tiny Traces, Deadly Secrets The Big Food giants, the pesticide and genetic engineering corporations such as Monsanto, the chemical, cosmetics, body care, food packaging, bottled water, and home furnishings industries—they all have a dirty secret. All these “Better Living Through Chemistry” companies and their PR firms and trade associations, bolstered by their minions in the mass media and academia, like to reassure us that these toxic, carcinogenic, gender-bending compounds in their products have been thoroughly tested and approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and other regulatory bodies. But they haven’t. And we’re only beginning to learn that the tiniest amount of these chemicals are dangerous—sometimes more dangerous than higher levels. Because they can disrupt the body’s complex endocrine system which is responsible for growth, stress response, insulin production, sexual development and reproduction, metabolism, immunity—even intelligence and behavior. Corporations would have us believe that there’s no harm in consuming or inhaling or absorbing small amounts of these chemicals into our bodies. But mounting evidence suggests otherwise. Here’s a scary thought: New research shows that the additives (co-formulants) used in glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide, may have damaging endocrine-disrupting effects. Sobering news, given that billions of pounds of Roundup are sprayed on both GMO and non-GMO crops every year, everywhere in the world.
MILLIONS AGAINST MONSANTO The People vs. Monsanto Enough with the waiting. It’s clear that world governments lack the will to stop Monsanto from poisoning our food and our planet—much less hold the agribusiness giant accountable for its crimes. That means it’s up to us, the citizens of the world, to take on Monsanto. OCA is part of a committee organizing a Citizens’ Tribunal. The tribunal will take place October 15 and 16 (World Food Day), in The Hague, Netherlands. Prior to the start of the tribunal, on October 14, we will hold a People’s Assembly. During the two-day tribunal, judges and lawyers experienced in international law will hear testimony from witnesses from multiple countries, who have suffered harm from Monsanto’s poisons. Citizens’ Tribunals have a long history of drawing global attention to corporate crimes. While the opinions handed down by the judges aren’t enforceable, they often—and in this case, will—lay the foundation for future legal cases where judgments will be enforceable. The power of this tribunal will depend a lot on how much global attention we can draw to it. That’s why we’re coordinating with March Against Monsanto to publicize the tribunal during May 21 global marches, and use the May 21 marches to begin organizing the largest yet global March Against Monsanto for October 16, 2016—the day the tribunal wraps up in The Hague. We’ll have much more to report on the tribunal, as judges are named, legal memos are published and witnesses are chosen. But for now, we need your help to kick off a massive publicity effort, beginning with the May 21 global March Against Monsanto.  Find a May 21 march near you   Register your March Against Monsanto event: email addmymarch@gmail.com Email campaigns@organicconsumers.org for help organizing an event in your city Sign up to receive a Monsanto Tribunal leaflet and other materials  Monsanto Tribunal on Facebook Support the Monsanto Tribunal
OCA IN MEXICO On a Mission While we fight Monsanto north of the border, our friends in Mexico are fighting the good fight, too. OCA Mexico and Millones Contra Monsanto have joined Mayan authorities, activists, scientists, community organizers and human rights experts in the Civil Observation Mission. The project came about because, despite a court order requiring Monsanto to consult with indigenous communities before granting permits for GMO soy crops, the Biotech Bully, with a little help from the Mexican government, is violating the law. Why does it matter? For starters, contamination from GMO soy crops is destroying organic honey production in the Campeche and the Yucatán regions. Not to mention how it’s ruining the region’s rich agricultural traditions and biodiversity. Or the health of everyone who lives there. Read our update on the battle against Monsanto in Mexico Support efforts to keep Monsanto’s GMO corn out of Mexico