[act-ma] Ways to help label GMOs in Massachusetts

[Martin Dagoberto]

*This is an all-hands-on-deck moment!*

Right now we have the opportunity to join a regional tipping point toward a
more safe and transparent food system. GMO labeling is an issue that will
affect us all, and we need your help to reach all corners of Massachusetts’
movements for healthy food and community resilience. Please pass along this
call to action.
*In the next 2 months, we have the opportunity to label GMO foods in
Massachusetts.*

Please read on for an update on the GMO labeling movement in MA and some
ways that we really need your help. We have until March 19th to get a bill
out of legislative committee, so time is of the essence.  We hope you can
help us seize this opportunity!

*Where things are at:*

GMO labeling has passed in CT and ME and half of VT and is being considered
by every legislature in the Northeast. In MA, proposed legislation has
until March 18th, 2014 to get out of committee, otherwise we’ll have to
wait until the 2015-16 cycle to try again.  We know that the committees are
hearing from industry lobbyists, and unless they hear from their
constituents and fellow lawmakers in large numbers,  we could miss the
opportunity to help push the country toward something that the broad
majority know that *we need: *Mandatory labeling of genetically engineered
ingredients (which are on the market
illegally<http://online.sfsu.edu/rone/GEessays/FDAdocuments.html>,
by the way).

*What you can do:*

1. We need to mobilize people across the state to contact their
representative and senator and to get them to take action in support of GMO
labeling.  They need to hear from the people!  We’ve assembled resources
and a calling guide to make it easy for people to make their voice heard.
All the details on the call-in campaign are on this action
alert<http://marighttoknow.com/home/action-alert-call-your-legislators-today-to-pass-gmo-labeling/>
page.
We’ve also drafted a series of small
blurbs<http://marighttoknow.com/home/resources/blurbs-to-share/> that
can be incorporated into an organization newsletter or shared on social
media.

2. We also need help turning up the heat in the districts of key
decision-makers.  If you can help us connect with on-the-ground advocates
in any of these key districts <http://marighttoknow.com/home/key-districts/>,
we need people to help host educational events, generate media, and bring
special attention to the committee members.

3. We are also working to expand our network and demonstrate widespread
support among businesses, organizations and professionals across the
state.  Many of you are already on the list of Network
Partners<http://marighttoknow.com/home/network-partners/> in
support of GMO labeling in MA.  Can you help us grow the list and magnify
our voices?

4. MA Right to Know GMOs is a 100% volunteer-driven effort, and we’re
looking for assistance with our media team. If you know anyone with media
experience who can lend us support, we would love the help. We’d also be
happy to directly work with anyone interested, as there are plenty of ways
to help.

5. Finally, we just recently gained the ability to accept donations.  We’re
up against some of the most  powerful forces in the food industry. We don’t
want to make this about money, and we’ve operated without a budget up to
this point.  But we know that our efforts can be magnified with some
strategic use of funding.  Please click here to learn more, or email us
directly. All donations are greatly appreciated.

If you’re interested in working with us more closely in any way, please
don’t hesitate to reach out. This is a very close fight, and we really have
a chance here.  Every phone call, email and action that you take *will* make
a difference. Thank you for everything you are doing to support a food
system for the people.  We will reclaim our right to know what’s in our
food.

In solidarity,

Martin Dagoberto
Co-Founder, Network Facilitator
MA Right to Know GMOs

 **There is no scientific consensus <http://www.ensser.org/media/0713/> on
GMO safety, and the government has never performed or required any safety
testing.  It relies solely on voluntary safety assessments performed by the
same corporations who are benefiting from the sale of their GMO crop seeds
and chemicals. These are the same corporations telling us we don’t need to
know what we’re eating. *

**Consumers have many reasons to avoid supporting GMO agriculture beyond
personal health concerns: environmental impacts, increasing reliance on
chemicals, harm to farm workers and animals, the privatization of our seeds
and contamination of native seed stock, to name a few.*

**Opponents to mandatory GMO labeling are benefiting unfairly from secrecy.
They don’t want to lose their profits or their control over agriculture. **We
are organizing for GMO labels so that market forces can play out and give
us the food economy we want. *