Press Release: GCU Field Agents Target Romney & Obama Campaign Offices on October 17

WASHINGTON, DC – On Wednesday, October 17, 2012, Occupy Monsanto’s field agents with the Genetic Crimes Unit (GCU), a group whose aim is to expose Monsanto’s crimes against farmers, the environment, and human health, will visit both the Republican and Democratic party headquarters in Washington DC. The GCU opposes genetically engineered food (GMOs) and seeks to expose Monsanto’s ties to both parties who have, for too long, protected agribusiness interests over that of the 99% of Americans who want healthy and safe food.

WHO: Occupy Monsanto Agents with the Genetic Crimes Unit

WHAT: Demonstration at Republican and Democratic Party Headquarters

WHEN & WHERE: 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM at Republican Party Headquarters, 310 1st Street SE and 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Democratic Party Headquarters, 430 S Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC

The protests at the two major party headquarters is the 70th Occupy Monsanto demonstration this year. Biohazmat-clad “Agents” have repeatedly addressed Obama’s ties to the GMO debate, pointing out that in his 2007 election bid he promised to have genetically engineered food labeled after being elected.

"We demand that Romney and Obama come clean on their ties to Monsanto and fight for the health of Americans over chemical company profits," said Adam Eidinger. "The fact that FDA Food Safety Czar Michael Taylor, former lobbyist and lawyer for Monsanto, was appointed by Barack Obama to make decisions on food safety is a disgrace," adds Eidinger.

"Mitt Romney has been instrumental to Monsanto’s success, and we have no indication that he will change his ways if elected." Rica Madrid said. Romney’s early consulting for Monsanto was effective in shifting Monsanto’s strategy from a focus on reputation-tarnishing chemical compounds to genetically engineered food and the profitable RoundUp weed killer. Romney was so effective that then-Monsanto CEO John W. Hanley helped him create Bain Capital. 

GCU Sample Press Release

Below is a generic press release that can be used by your GCU to contact the media about your decontamination event. Just modify the sections within the brackets [ ] with your GCU’s information. To view some examples, check out the earlier Occupy Monsanto Press Releases.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[DATE]

GCU Media Liaison: [Press Liaison Name & Cell Phone Number]
GCU_[Your_City]@occupy-monsanto.com

[YOUR CITY IN CAPITAL LETTERS, BOLDFACE TYPE] – On [DAY OF THE WEEK], September [17-24], 2012, Occupy Monsanto’s field agents with the Genetic Crimes Unit (GCU), a group whose aim is to expose Monsanto’s crimes against humanity, will wear bio-hazmat suits during the occupation of the Monsanto facility located at [Street Address]. The GCU opposes Monsanto’s bid to increase spraying of crops with toxic weed killers like 2,4 D (the main ingredient in Agent Orange) and dicambia, the continued genetic contamination of the organic food supply, and other risks associated with genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

[INSERT QUOTE] “In the name of Wall Street profits, chemical corporations such as Monsanto genetically engineer crops to withstand high doses of their herbicides and pesticides that contaminate our food and water, and have not been proven safe. We deserve to know what we are eating. Europe, Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand, and other industrialized nations require the labeling of GMOs so that citizens can make informed choices. Other nations like Peru and France have even banned GMO crops. But thanks to companies like Monsanto, US consumers are denied the right to know if their food is GMO. ” said GCU’s [GCU ACTIVIST NAME/ALIAS]. “Monsanto pays Congress vast sums of money under the guise of lobbying efforts to keep GMO labels off their patented Frankenfood products. Our Congress is contaminated with GMOs and toxic chemicals, and the lack of rational, responsible labeling policy threatens our health and the health of the planet,” says [GCU ACTIVIST NAME/ALIAS].

WHO: Occupy Monsanto’s [YOUR CITY] Genetic Crimes Unit (GCU)
WHAT: Identifying Victims of Monsanto’s Genetic Crimes by GCU Agents in Bio-Hazmat Suits
WHEN: September [17-24], 2012 at [TIME]
WHERE: [ADDRESS OF MONSANTO FACILITY]

More than 1.1 million people have signed onto the JustLabelit.org citizens’ petition to the Food and Drug Administration for GMO labeling (the most to sign an FDA petition ever). Citizens across America demand that President Obama keep his campaign promise to label GMO foods. Video of the promise can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqaaB6NE1TI In California Monsanto faces a 2012 ballot proposition on GMO labeling. On September 17, 2012 Occupy Monsanto is calling for hundreds of actions internationally, https://www.occupy-monsanto.com

March 20, 2012 — GCU Deploys 13 Banners in St. Louis

ST. LOUIS, MO – Occupy Monsanto’s agents of change with the Genetic Crimes Unit (GCU) hung 13 large banners over highways throughout St. Louis this morning calling out Monsanto for their genetic crimes and highlighting the danger of genetically modified foods (GMOs). The GCU opposes Monsanto’s bid to increase spraying of food with toxic weed killers like 2,4 D (the main ingredient in Agent Orange). Occupy Monsanto is also alarmed that one company has control of nearly 90% of the US seed supply, giving it undue influence over what food people get to eat. GCU Agents know Monsanto has successfully lobbied against the creation of public policy that would otherwise be in place to inform consumers about GMOs they are eating daily.

The banners hung today come after Occupy Monsanto banners began popping up across the Midwest last weekend over Interstate 70 in Ohio and Indiana. The banners hung today have messages including, ‘FDA is Genetically Contaminated by Monsanto’, ‘Genetic Biohazard: Defend Yourself,’ ‘The 99% VS. Mon$anto,’ and ‘Monsanto CEO = Millionaire; Monsanto Consumer = Lab Rat,’ amongst others. Each banner urges people to take part in Occupy Monsanto’s international call to protest on September 17, 2012, which is the one-year-anniversary of the Occupy Wall Street movement. Along with banners being hung on overpasses, one large banner stating ‘Mr. President Label GMO Foods Love Michelle‘ was staked onto the front lawn of Monsanto’s global headquarters.

Photographs and more specific locations of banners on the overpasses will be posted at Occupy-Monsanto.com as well as info on the worldwide day of action in September. Members of the media are free to use these images compliments of the 99%.

“Today’s action is part of a larger movement to stop genetically modified foods. Last Friday protests of Monsanto were held in over 30 cities throughout the US and in places all over the globe including Spain, Germany, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and Canada. In Davis, California 150 people shut down a Monsanto facility and today Monsanto has felt the first impact of the Occupy Monsanto movement in their home city of St. Louis.

“We deserve to know what we are eating. Virtually every major country requires labeling of GMOs in foods so their citizens can make informed choices, including all of Europe, Japan and even China,“ said one GCU Agent. “By being in St. Louis, we are taking our message right to the source – we are telling Monsanto we will not tolerate GMOs and we are giving them a warning for what’s to come on September 17.”

To date more than 990,000 people have signed onto the www.JustLabelit.org citizens’ petition to the Food and Drug Administration for GMO labeling (the most to sign an FDA petition ever). Last fall over 100 people marched in the Right2Know March from New York to the White House to demand President Obama keep his campaign promise to label GMO foods. Video of the promise can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqaaB6NE1TI In California Monsanto faces a 2012 ballot proposition on GMO labeling. Today Monsanto was given a warning; on Sept. 17, 2012 Monsanto will be occupied in hundreds of locations internationally. Visit occupy-monsanto.com for more information.

March 15, 2012 — GCU to Visit Congress

WASHINGTON DC – On Friday, March 16, 2012, Occupy Monsanto’s agents of change with the Genetic Crimes Unit (GCU), a group designed to protect America from genetically modified foods, will wear bio-hazmat suits when they visit Congress. The group will gather at Capitol South Metro station at noon on March 16 to highlight how chemical company Monsanto is contaminating our political process. The GCU opposes Monsanto’s bid to increase spraying of food with toxic weed killers like 2,4 D (the main ingredient in Agent Orange), genetic contamination of the organic food supply, and other risks associated with genetically modified food (GMOs).

The GCU will arrive at the metro station wearing bio-hazmat suits to assess whether Members of Congress and their staff have been victims of genetic crimes. The GCU will hold a banner that reads, “Congress is Genetically Modified,” as they circulate on Capitol Hill sidewalks. This day of action is part of a larger international call to ‘Occupy Monsanto’ taking place all over the globe including Spain, Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and at least 28 cities throughout the US.

“In the name of Wall Street profits, chemical corporations such as Monsanto genetically engineer crops to withstand high doses of their toxic weed killers that contaminate our food and water, and have not been proven safe. We deserve to know what we are eating. Virtually every major country requires labeling of GMOs in foods so their citizens can make informed choices, including all of Europe, Japan and even China,” said GCU’s Angela Johnson. “Monsanto’s lobbying dollars are pouring into politicians so its clear we have a GMO contaminated US Congress that threatens our health and the health of the planet,” says Vegosen.

WHO: Occupy Monsanto’s Genetic Crimes Unit (GCU)
WHAT: ID’ing Victims of Monsanto’s Genetic Crimes by GCU Agents in Bio-Hazmat Suits
WHEN: Friday, March 16, Noon
WHERE: Cannon Building: Independence Ave. SE, Washington, DC, 20540, corner NJ Ave

Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) has introduced three bills addressing concerns with GMOs. In addition, more than 900,000 people have signed onto the JustLabelit.org citizens’ petition to the Food and Drug Administration for GMO labeling (the most to sign an FDA petition ever). Last fall about 100 people marched in the Right2Know March from New York to the White House to demand President Obama keep his campaign promise to label GMO foods. Video of the promise can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqaaB6NE1TI In California Monsanto faces a 2012 ballot proposition on GMO labeling. Finally, on September 17, 2012 Occupy Monsanto is calling for hundreds of actions internationally, www.occupy-monsanto.com