Creston Valley residents get another chance to protest against global giant Monsanto on Saturday at 3 p.m., says local organizer Karolyn Whitford.
“Our protest march and rally will be co-ordinated with marches on six continents in 36 countries around the world,” said Whitford. “More than 250 cities and towns are expected to participate and last spring Creston really showed what a small community can do.”
Nearly 200 people marched along Canyon Street in May in an event that drew people of all ages and backgrounds. Some drove in from Cranbrook and Nelson to Creston, which was thought to be the smallest community in Canada to participate.
“We really showed that local people care about food production and food security issues, and that genetically modified foods are not the answer,” she said. “The energy at the march was very strong, and the majority of marchers seemed to agree that the more people became educated about genetically modified foods the sooner Canada will join the large number of countries that have labelled or banned the untested and risky ‘substantially equivalent’ GMOs.”
Whitford, a mother of four young children, said she has become an activist because she can’t just sit back and not work to make a better future for her family. She is also organizing other local events, including a December visit by nationally known scientists.
“Sunset Seed has generously allowed us to use their parking lot as our rallying point on Saturday,” she said. “If anyone would like to speak at the event they can call me at 250-428-0782.”
Protesters will march down Canyon Street to 10th Avenue, then return to the Sunset Seed location, Whitford said.