Family Farmers for Non-GMO Crops: A Brief History of Monsanto and the Common Farmer

Let's make it a happy ending to this horrible movie so far.  Let's say, "Enough!"

An e-mail from Food Democracy Now!

"On January 10, family farmers will enter a courtroom in Washington DC to take part in the appeal of OSGATA vs Monsanto et al, a court case filed to protect farmers from genetic trespass by Monsanto’s GMO seed, which contaminates organic and non-GMO farmer’s crops and opens them up to abusive lawsuits by Monsanto.


Thank you to those of you who have RSVP'd to attend the Citizen's Assembly gathering to support these brave farmers and plaintiffs in Washington DC.

If you can't attend, but would like to show your support, please join us in standing with family farmers in their pursuit of justice against Monsanto!
http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/747?t=10&akid=715.479479.g4eu19
Since 1997, one year after the approval of Monsanto’s GMO Roundup Ready soybeans, the world’s leading chemical and biotech seed company admits to filing 150 lawsuits against America’s family farmers, while settling another 700 out of court for undisclosed amounts. During this time, Monsanto has investigated an average of more than 500 family farmers each year.

Due to these aggressive lawsuits and investigations, Monsanto has created an atmosphere of fear in rural America and driven dozens of farmers into bankruptcy.

At Food Democracy Now!, we believe it's time to end Monsanto's campaign of fear and intimidation against America's farmers!

This is a crucial moment for America's family farmers and the future of our food supply. Will you let farmers know you support them on January 10th?

To add your name of support, click here to say: “I Stand With Farmers”.
http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/747?t=13&akid=715.479479.g4eu19

We’ll deliver your comments to the farmers before they enter the court to stand up for their right to grow food without threat of intimidation and harassment.
In March 2011, Food Democracy Now! joined the lawsuit Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association (OSGATA) et al v. Monsanto during the first round of plaintiffs, in what could be an historic lawsuit that protects family farmers and challenges the legitimacy of Monsanto’s patents on their genetically engineered (GMO) seeds and their right to sue farmers indiscriminately.

The upcoming decision on the appeal of OSGATA vs Monsanto is a critical hurdle that the case must clear in order for it to move forward.

Monsanto filed a motion to dismiss the case, which was heard in Federal District Court in New York City on January 31st, 2012. In February 2012, Federal Judge Naomi Buchwald ruled to dismiss the case, stating that the farmers lacked legal standing regarding the concerns over genetic contamination and resulting economic harm.

In March 2012, Plaintiffs appealed the District Court's decision to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which scheduled oral argument in the case to be heard on January 10, 2013.

Lawyers from the Public Patent Foundation, who are representing the farmers, have identified numerous reversible legal and factual errors committed by the judge, which they assert caused her to mistakenly dismiss the case.

Family farmers need your help today to send a message to the world: It’s time to put an end to Monsanto’s campaign of fear.

Click here to say "I Stand with Farmers" so we can deliver that message loud and clear to the farmers who travel to Washington DC to take part in the lawsuit and for farmers everywhere who struggle against Monsanto's unfair genetic contamination of their crops.

Thank you for participating in food democracy,

Dave, Lisa and the Food Democracy Now! team

P.S. For those who are interested or able, Food Democracy Now! and our fellow plaintiffs invite you to take part in a Citizen’s Assembly for Support Family Farmers vs. Monsanto in Lafayette Square in Washington DC in an effort to stand up for America’s farmers at this crucial moment in their quest for justice. Click here to RSVP and learn more about how to participate in the Citizen's Assembly."

http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/745?t=18&akid=715.479479.g4eu19