RICHMOND, Va. -- Advocates for a food supply free of genetically modified organisms, or at least one with better labeling, took to the street in Richmond on Saturday.
The movement has taken root globally, and the Memorial Day weekend march through Carytown just one of many happening around the world, according to those who attended.
The march, which led through the Richmond shopping area Carytown, was officially called March Against Monsanto.
Protesters said Monsanto, a Missouri-based, billion dollar multi-national corporation, is controlling the food supply with their GMO seeds.
Monsanto’s corporate websites states that their intent “support farmers all around the world,” by helping them “produce more from than land.”
Monsanto’s patented GMOs are intended to help farmers conserve resources like water and energy, lower cost and promote efficiency, according to the company. They sell seeds from leading crops like corn, cotton, oilseeds and fruits and vegetables.
The demonstrators were demanding that the federal government require Monsanto to label all products that contain GMO. They believe the seeds are harmful to the environment and human bodies.
Demonstrators also called for GMO foods to be pulled from store shelves.
"I want people to know about genetically modified organisms and the fact that Monsanto is doing things that are not good for our country,” said Vicki Farrell. We need to be aware of that so they can be stopped.”
