Huge Anti-GMO Rallies Popping Up in Hawaii
Like other activists against biotech around the world, the Hawaiian people made a dramatic statement meant for their legislators’ ears on January 21st in front of the capitol building in Honolulu. Their message? Stop poisoning paradise!
In true Hawaiian fashion, local people made a peaceful if not vocal demonstration against the biotech companies who want to continue polluting the Islands. Charter schools protested with dance and chanting, gregarious speakers raised their voices against money and unsustainable farming practices. Musicians played Hawaiian and protest music, and a call for people to recognize ‘aloha-aina’ was made. (Aina means ‘land.’)
Walter Ritte from the People’s Hale (Hawaiian for house) said:
“If we all come together under this coalition of aloha ‘aina, we might be able to out-talk the money people with a combined voice.”
Hawaii is a unique place – not only because of its cultural and agricultural diversity, but because the politicians sometimes actually listen to the demands of the people. This is why the mayor of the Big Island Hawaii, Billy Kenoi, previously acted against Big Biotech and their corporate takeover of Hawaiian lands with genetically modified crops.
Other activist groups have had a strong voice in Hawaii when facing biotech bullies as well. Babes Against Biotech called attention to the Maui County democrat who was deemed a “Monsanto plant,” and groups were successfully able to ban GMOs on the Big Island of Hawaii which targeted Syngenta, Monsanto, Pioneer, Dow, and BASF who have long been experimenting with GMO crops and seeds in Hawaii. Maui county and the island of Kauai did the same, but biotech companies have interfered.
In their heyday, big biotech companies have rivaled some Big Pharma companies in market capitalization. At the time of its acquistion by Roche (RHHBY.PK), Genentech (DNA) was valued at $106 billion. Amgen (AMGN) at one time reached a valuation of over $100 billion, and Gilead (GILD) over $50 billion.
Monsanto stock is down as of this writing, but the company is worth billions, too – so we’re talking big money here. It is going to take some very loud protesting all over the globe to stop these bulging wallets from permanently ruining the ecosystem and our food supply.
Article top image credit: Babes Against Biotech/ Facebook
If they can do this in Hawaii, we can do it here in Oregon.
Wait till Hawaii becomes exempt from the Jones Act of 1911, bye bye GMO’s and other corporate subsidies food products.
why purchase GMO milk from the mainland when we can import it from Mexico.
Why purchase GMO milk at all? In oregon it has been illegal for raw milk producers to advertise their milk. They are about to change that law. I imagine that when people learn wholesome raw milk from pastured grass-fed cows isn’t dangerous, GMO milk will soon become a thing of the past.
Patti, I dunno about much about Oregon, but that is good for the residents of your fine state. I did read somewhere that the terrorists in Washington (lobbyists) were pushing on behalf of food companies to get rid of the Ingredient labeling from food bc food companies believe the American public don’t really have to know what goes into our food. (How come bread in the USA under ingredients, has either sugar or corn fructose syrup? bread should contain neither, and that is just a fine example of it, … hell even Ketchup has corn fructose syrup). I make my own milk at home, Almond milk. 🙂
someone star a page on Facebook to stand up and ban gmo’s in your citys n states like here in Toronto,Ohio ill be there!!!!
I wonder how many have heard of the “Bayonet Constitution”?? Even better who was behind it? Clue Dole.
The mainland still treats Hawaii like a colony, and Monsanto treats the USA like a piggy bank.
maybe one day Americans will wise up ….