Dear K,
Let freedom ring! From the green mountains of Vermont to the forests of Maine, to the rolling hills of Connecticut and the beaches of California, we have stood up these past years for one simple thing - the basic constitutional right that mothers and fathers know what’s in the food they're feeding their children and that we, as Americans, can walk into a grocery store and determine by personal, individual and sovereign choice the foods that we wish to eat.
No one! Not a single corporate executive, not a gaggle of incompetent Senators, nor an army of corrupt lobbyists have the right to deceive us and our fellow citizens about the food that we should eat. No matter what they say, no matter what lies they tell, We, as citizens, have this right, not the corporations and those who would deceive us for their own personal gain. And yet while we celebrate this truly historic victory in Vermont, we could be just a few days away from seeing this law reversed by a federal compromise bill brought to the table by these very same corporate interests - a bill masquerading as a federal GMO labeling bill, that fails to deliver what 98% of the American people have asked for.
And so in the wake of this victory, this past week has been the darkest chapter that our labeling and food movement has ever faced. We are in our darkest hour. It is a deep betrayal that our Senators could side with Monsanto and corrupt corporate interests within the Organic Trade Association (OTA) in a secretive backroom deal for 30 pieces of silver.
But mark our words, justice will be served. As an organization, Food Democracy Now! is Iowa born and bred. One thing we know besides farming and growing corn is politics - and make no doubt that our state's motto "Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain" is the central force that drives us now, and at all times.
Here in Iowa, where 94% of our corn and 97% of the soy is GMO, We want to raise a glass in celebration to our heroic friends and allies in Vermont who have bravely stood up to the most powerful corporate forces on the planet and won.
Make no mistake about it, this fight is far from over. Please take a look at our good Vermont farmer friend who asks you to join us on this ride.
Facebook link here - https://fdn.actionkit.com/go/
We hope that you enjoy this weekend with friends and loved ones and remember our rights that we celebrate this 240th year as Americans we're not won easy and without a fight!
They said we couldn't do this 5 years ago. That it would be impossible, when we went to California and fought them in Prop 37. But then we lost and lived to fight another day. We beat them the next year in Connecticut and Maine, but Monsanto got their clauses. We lost the ballot initiative Washington state in 2013, but won the very next spring in little state of Vermont.
Now their Whole world Quakes as we have landed in Washington DC, where what should be a garden of democracy for the people has become a snakepit of deceit. Just remember that our rights were won by farmers who left their fields to fight a tyrannical Parliament and monopolist Monarch. They thought they were mighty then, but our ancestors laid them low.
Have no doubt about this course, it is not easy, the forces that are lined up against us are powerful - and we have just begun to fight!
From Iowa to Vermont, we will stand with in good times and we will stand with you in bad! We raise a glass to our allies in Vermont tonight for standing up for our rights! And to those who write corrupt bargains, all you get is a pint of Roundup for the troubles you've caused.
They cannot beat us fairly, they have to bend the rules. This is not democracy, and they must pay the price! Don't worry, justice is coming! And Vermont's farmers ask that you join them on this historic ride.
Defend Vermont at any cost. As the sun sets on your first day, we will rally for this cause!
Thank YOU VERMONT, small in geography, but a Giant of a Heart!
They said we couldn't do this 5 years ago. That it would be impossible, when we went to California and fought them in Prop 37. But then we lost and lived to fight another day. We beat them the next year in Connecticut and Maine, but Monsanto got their clauses. We lost the ballot initiative Washington state in 2013, but won the very next spring in little state of Vermont.
Now their Whole world Quakes as we have landed in Washington DC, where what should be a garden of democracy for the people has become a snakepit of deceit. Just remember that our rights were won by farmers who left their fields to fight a tyrannical Parliament and monopolist Monarch. They thought they were mighty then, but our ancestors laid them low.
Have no doubt about this course, it is not easy, the forces that are lined up against us are powerful - and we have just begun to fight!
From Iowa to Vermont, we will stand with in good times and we will stand with you in bad! We raise a glass to our allies in Vermont tonight for standing up for our rights! And to those who write corrupt bargains, all you get is a pint of Roundup for the troubles you've caused.
They cannot beat us fairly, they have to bend the rules. This is not democracy, and they must pay the price! Don't worry, justice is coming! And Vermont's farmers ask that you join them on this historic ride.
Defend Vermont at any cost. As the sun sets on your first day, we will rally for this cause!
Thank YOU VERMONT, small in geography, but a Giant of a Heart!
Remember, democracy is like a muscle, either you use it or you lose it!
Thanks for participating in food democracy! WE GOT THIS!
Dave Murphy
Founder / Executive Director
Food Democracy Now! team
