OCCUPIED TUCSON CITIZEN
On May 25, 2013, the World spoke out against Monsanto and against Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)! In at least 430 cities across the world, including 249 cities here in the United States, there were Marches Against Monsanto. Here in Tucson, the estimates range from 700 to 1,000 people who were involved in the March.
Tucsonans met at Reid Park at 10:00 am on a Saturday morning, for a GMO awareness event promoting education and liberation from GMO consumption. Melissa Diane Smith of the GMO Free Project of Tucson gave the keynote speech before the march. The march commenced from the Festival Area and proceeded north, then west to Country Club, South to 22nd Street, and back to Lake Shore Drive and the Festival Area. Activities after the march included performances by local musicians, impromptu speakers, informational booths and free giveaways.
Among the speakers was Billy Lolos, who has also been involved with the Occupy movement since its early days. Mr. Lolos has accumulated a vast wealth of knowledge about the current round of economic troubles, and about the unfair and unscientific activities of the Monsanto Corporation in particular. His remarks were received with enthusiasm. Those who had pen and paper at hand were able to take down a great deal of useful information.
This event was successful enough that activists soon announced the Great Monsanto Boycott!
The Kick-off date was June 30, 2013, and people across the world are asked to boycott GMO products. The Monsanto Corporation is not the only purveyor of such products, but it is at present the most prolific one in the United States.
If you plan to participate, there is information available on the web about which food products are verified to be GMO free. Fresh produce is available at farmers’ markets held across the city, as well as local produce gardens which sell organic foods.
To find non-GMO verified products in your area, visit the Non GMO Project’s page of verified products at http://www.nongmoproject.org/find-non-gmo/search-participating-products/. This page lists products by category, brand, or name.
The Community Food Bank sponsors the following Farmers’ Markets:
MONDAY
El Pueblo Farmers’ Market
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Irvington Rd & S. 6th Ave
(El Rio clinic parking lot)
TUESDAY
Community Food Bank
Farmers’ Market
8:00 am – Noon
3003 S. Country Club
(Between 36th St & Ajo)
TUESDAY
Marana Farmers’ Market
3:00 – 6:00pm
Marana Health Center
13395 Marana Main Street
THURSDAY
Santa Cruz River
Farmers’ Market
3:00 -6:00 pm Oct – April
4:00 – 7:00 pm May-Sept
100 S. Avenida del Convento
(near Congress and Grande)
The Farmers’ Market Stand accepts cash, EBT (food stamps), AZFMNP and WIC vouchers as well as credit and debit cards.