<div dir="ltr"><div class="" style="border:0px;font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14.666666984558105px;margin:0px auto;outline:0px;padding:1.625em 0px 0px;vertical-align:baseline;width:584.2916870117188px;color:rgb(55,55,55);line-height:32px">
<p dir="ltr" style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1.625em;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;line-height:32px">On June 3rd and 11th, safe food advocates across the Commonwealth will have an opportunity to address their legislators in support of mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods (GMOs). State legislators are considering five GMO labeling bills. These public hearings come weeks after two neighboring states (VT and CT) each advanced GMO labeling legislation farther than anywhere else in the country, and days after hundreds of Bay Staters in 5 cities participated in a global March Against Monsanto (and FOR labeling of GMOs). Massachusetts now has a chance to help lead the country toward a safe and democratic food system, but we need your help!</span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1.625em;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><strong style="font-family:inherit;font-style:inherit;line-height:32px;border:0px;font-size:18.66666603088379px;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline">Want to know if your food is GMO?</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1.625em;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:large;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><strong style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:18.66666603088379px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline">3 ways to make your voice heard:</strong></span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1.625em;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:large;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><strong style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:18.66666603088379px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline">#1.</strong></span> <strong style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"> Attend one (or both!) of these public hearings!</strong> June 3rd in Spencer and June 11th in Boston. (details below) Seeing a crowd of supporters will have an impact. Spread the word in person and on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/527361627325700/" style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(25,130,209);text-decoration:none">Facebook</a>/Twitter!</p>
<p dir="ltr" style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;margin:0px 0px 1.625em;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-style:inherit;border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:large;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><strong style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:18.66666603088379px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline">#2.</strong></span><span style="font-style:inherit"> </span><strong style="font-style:inherit;border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><a href="http://bit.ly/17wZPRX" style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(25,130,209);text-decoration:none">Submit Testimony!</a> MA Right to Know GMOs </strong><span style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline">is</span><span style="font-style:inherit"> forming panels of experts, consumers and concerned individuals. We are also collecting written testimony to print and submit. Please sign up or submit testimony using this form: </span><a href="http://bit.ly/17wZPRX" style="font-style:inherit;border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(25,130,209);text-decoration:none">http://bit.ly/17wZPRX</a></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1.625em;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><strong style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:large;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline">#3. </span>Call your State Representatives</strong> and let them know that you <a href="http://marighttoknow.com/home/why-label-gmos/" style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(25,130,209);text-decoration:none">support GMO labeling.</a> This is such an important way to make your (actual) voice heard!</p>
<p dir="ltr" style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1.625em;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline">Get your representatives phone number, here: <a href="http://www.malegislature.gov/people/findmylegislator" style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(25,130,209);text-decoration:none">http://www.malegislature.gov/people/findmylegislator</a></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1.625em;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><em style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline">These public hearings are an important part of the legislative process, and they need to hear from you! We invite you to join us at either or both hearings to declare your right to know. Also, we are looking for help finding "big names" and "unlikely proponents" that will help get the attention of the committee members. If you have any ideas for someone who can help put some more weight behind these bills, please contact us directly at <a href="mailto:MAR2KGMOs@gmail.com">MAR2KGMOs@gmail.com</a></em></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1.625em;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><em style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"></em></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;border:0px;margin:0px 0px 1.625em;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><em style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><strong style="font-family:inherit;font-size:24px;font-style:inherit;line-height:32px;border:0px;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline">Massachusetts GMO Labeling Bills Hearings</strong><br>
</em></p><p></p><p style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1.625em;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:large;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><strong style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:18.66666603088379px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline">June 3, 2013, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM </strong></span><br>
<span style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:large;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><strong style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:18.66666603088379px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline">David Prouty High School </strong> <strong style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:18.66666603088379px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline">302 Main Street Spencer, MA 01562 <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?daddr=302%20Main%20Street%20,%20Spencer,%20MA%2001562%20(David%20Prouty%20High%20School)" style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:18.66666603088379px;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(25,130,209);text-decoration:none">Get Directions </a></strong></span><br>
<span style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:large;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><strong style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:18.66666603088379px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline">Details: <a href="http://1.usa.gov/17MDAHR" style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:18.66666603088379px;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(25,130,209);text-decoration:none">http://1.usa.gov/17MDAHR</a></strong></span><br>
<span style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:large;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><em style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:18.66666603088379px;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline">Please share the Facebook event:</em> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/128204707376804/" style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:18.66666603088379px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(25,130,209);text-decoration:none">https://www.facebook.com/events/128204707376804/</a></span></p>
<p style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1.625em;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:large;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><strong style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:18.66666603088379px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline">June 11, 2013, 10:00 AM</strong></span><br>
<span style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:large;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><strong style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:18.66666603088379px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline">MA State House, Room A-1</strong></span><br>
<span style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:large;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><strong style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:18.66666603088379px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline">details: <a href="http://1.usa.gov/12Cjj23" style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:18.66666603088379px;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(25,130,209);text-decoration:none">http://1.usa.gov/12Cjj23</a></strong></span><br>
<span style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:large;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><em style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:18.66666603088379px;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline">Please share the Facebook event:</em> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/527361627325700/" style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:18.66666603088379px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(25,130,209);text-decoration:none">https://www.facebook.com/events/527361627325700/</a></span></p>
<p style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1.625em;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:large;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><strong style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:18.66666603088379px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline">Sign up to submit testimony in person or in writing! </strong></span> <a href="http://bit.ly/17wZPRX" style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(25,130,209);text-decoration:none">http://bit.ly/17wZPRX</a></p>
<p align="CENTER" style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1.625em;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:xx-large;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><strong style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:32px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline">Why label GMOs?</strong></span></p>
<p align="CENTER" style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1.625em;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline">Here a few reasons:</p><p style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1.625em;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:large;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline">Most people have no idea: </span>GMOs were quietly introduced into our food supply in the 90′s, and the FDA requires no safety testing or labeling, (even though FDA scientists stated concerns about potential dangers.)</p>
<p style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1.625em;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:large;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline">People NEED to know:</span> GMOs have not been proven safe, and in fact, a growing body of independent peer-reviewed studies have linked these foods to allergies, immune problems, infertility and cancers.</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1.625em;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:large;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline">No Cost to Consumers or Food Producers:</span> Companies change their labeling all the time, and dozens of other countries have already introduced GMO labeling without increasing food costs.</p>
<p style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1.625em;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:large;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline">GMO crops easily contaminate non-GMO crops</span>, threatening the consumer’s ability to choose non-GMO foods.</p>
<p style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1.625em;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:large;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline">Superweeds and pests</span> have become resistant to GMO-affiliated herbicides and toxic pesticide use has increased</p>
<p style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1.625em;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:large;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline">The free market </span>is supposed to provide consumers with accurate information about products so we can make informed choices.</p>
<p align="CENTER" style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1.625em;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><strong style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline">Massachusetts Right to Know GMOs is a statewide network of safe food advocates working together to reach a </strong><strong style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><i>critical mass</i></strong><strong style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"> of awareness and support for mandatory labeling of Genetically Modified (GM) foods. We are educating our communities about the health and environmental risks associated with GM foods and making our voices heard:</strong></p>
<p align="CENTER" style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px 0px 1.625em;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><strong style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline">“<i>We have a right to know what’s in our food!”</i></strong></p>
<div style="text-align:center"><strong style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><i>For more info, please visit MArighttoknow.org and like us on Facebook: </i></strong></div>
<div style="text-align:center"><strong style="border:0px;font-family:inherit;font-size:14.666666984558105px;font-style:inherit;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline"><i>MA Right to Know GMOs</i></strong></div>
</div><div> </div>-- <br><div>Martin Dagoberto<br>MA Right to Know GMOs, Facilitator<div><div><br></div><div><div><div></div></div><b style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-weight:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><div>
<b style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-weight:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span></b></div>Massachusetts Right to Know GMOs </span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:rgb(255,255,255);vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">is a statewide network of safe food advocates working together to reach a </span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:rgb(255,255,255);font-style:italic;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">critical mass</span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:rgb(255,255,255);font-weight:bold;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> </span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:rgb(255,255,255);vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">of awareness and support for legislation mandating adequate labeling of Genetically Modified (GM) foods in Massachusetts. </span></b></div>
<div><a href="http://www.marighttoknow.org/" target="_blank">MARightToKnow.org</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MARightToKnowGMOs" target="_blank">facebook.com/MARightToKnowGMOs</a></div></div></div><div><br></div>
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