Global March Against Monsanto: Taiwan joins forces across north, central and south for the first time
Text by Lin Hui-chen, JiashanTsai
Yesterday, people in 400 cities worldwide took to the streets to protest against Monsanto, the genetically modified seed giant, for oppressing farmers and polluting the environment. Taiwan did not fall behind either. The Homemakers United Foundation coordinated efforts across the north, central and south for the first time, holding an anti-GMO march on Calligraphy Greenway in Taichung, China. The northern event passed through the Gongguan shopping district "via" National Taiwan University, with marchers chanting along the way, "GMO labeling, bring it on now" and "GMO zero, win-win for parents and children," demanding that the Ministry of Health and Welfare clearly label whether salad oil is genetically modified, and presenting a petition on the spot calling for GM soybeans to be removed from school campuses to protect the next generation's health.
Demanding that the Ministry of Health and Welfare extend labeling to salad oil
Monsanto of the United States is the world's largest genetically modified seed company. It has used patent rights to force farmers to buy high-priced seeds carrying herbicide-resistant genes, telling farmers they can spray pesticides freely to kill weeds, while selling herbicides on the other hand, and using its funds to lobby governments around the world to relax GMO labeling regulations. "Agent Orange," the infamous biochemical weapon of the Vietnam War, was also one of its products.
Last year, an American homemaker who could no longer stand it launched the global "March Against Monsanto" for the health of her two daughters, and it received an enthusiastic response. On May 22, more than 2 million people worldwide took to the streets in support. On October 22 last year, one week before World Food Day, another march was added.
Last year in Taiwan, only members of the public spontaneously held a fixed-point talk in Taichung. This year, they were not absent. The Homemakers United Foundation held small marches in Taipei and Taichung respectively, while Tainan responded with a Facebook profile picture "keyboard response." Yesterday morning at the Taipei event, mothers brought their children and held high the banner "We support non-GMO" under the blazing sun, handing out red "GMO FREE" stickers along the Gongguan shopping district and inviting the public to join. Although the group was only 30 people, the chants never stopped along the way, arousing the curiosity of passersby who took photos, and some gave a thumbs-up on the spot.
