The People vs. Monsanto

By Marybeth Gardam, Development Chair, and Nancy Price, Earth Democracy

An international list of scientists and advocates to end corporate agriculture’s assault on people and nature, a People’s Tribunal vs. Monsanto, will take place October 14-16, 2016, in The Hague to hold Monsanto accountable for “crimes against humanity” and “ecocide.” A partial list of the organizers includes Vandana Shiva, Corinne Lepage, Marie-Monique Robin, Olivier De Schutter, Gilles-Éric Séralini, and Hans Herren. Those familiar with the health and food security threats being lodged against agrochemical giant Monsanto have heard many of those names for years. You can read more about this landmark effort to hold Monsanto accountable.

Nancy has been asked to participate with our ally the Organic Consumers’ Association in planning for the tribunal. WILPF US unanimously approved the Human Right to Health and Safe Food Resolution at our 2014 National Congress and again at the 2015 International Congress. It’s worth reviewing the resolutions of this important international statement.

So, we have authority to organize around this tribunal and issue a Call to Action, both at home and internationally. The Earth Democracy and Corporations v Democracy Issue Committees urge members and branches to plan actions, teach-ins, and forums to support the tribunal events in October.

The organizers of this tribunal are 1) inviting testimony of exposure to and harm from glyphosate to be submitted now; and 2) inviting groups and organizations to organize events during October 14-16 to be included on a calendar and map, and especially to have events on World Food Day, October 16, the last day of the tribunal. The tribunal will be live-streamed so you can make arrangements to show it at your local library, school, or other venue. Stay tuned.

Here’s the link to WILPF US Human Right to Health and Safe Food Infographic Card.

For any branch or member interested in participating in the People’s Tribunal at The Hague, or in supporting their efforts on World Food Day with events and actions here in the U.S., please contact Nancy Price at nancytprice39@gmail.com, using the subject line: MONSANTO TRIBUNAL.

If you want to order more copies of the Infographic Card on Monsanto and Glyphosate’s health threats, contact Marybeth Gardam at mbgardam@gmail.com. Please use the Subject line: MONSANTO TRIBUNAL.

We look forward to working collaboratively across the U.S., organizing for the October events.