Anya Cohen
Managing Editor
With picket signs in hand, several College of Wooster students will be piling into Orville, Ohio-bound cars on Saturday to protest the J.M. Smucker Company and their efforts to block genetically modified organism labeling laws.
A genetically modified organism, more commonly referred to as a GMO, is an organism that has been genetically engineered by scientists for reasons such as withstanding herbicides.
“Because GMOs are super resistant to herbicides, that means that farmers can use as many herbicides as they want,” said Rita Frost ’14, an organizer of the Smucker’s protest.
“When that happens, it decreases biodiversity and threatens the visibility of natural habitats.”
GMO labeling laws would require that companies clearly indicate on product labels if they use GMOs in their food. As of October, the Orville-headquartered J.M. Smucker Company had spent $349,977 to support the effort of blocking the proposed GMO labeling laws that were on state ballots in Washington and California. In both states, the propositions failed.
Environmental Action, the organization that is spearheading Saturday’s protest, has compiled the signatures of 35,000 people who oppose the J.M. Smucker Company’s practices.
The protestors will hand deliver the signatures at the demonstration, with the hope that the names on the list and the in faces accompanied with them will halt the J.M. Smucker Company’s cash flow to GMO label blocking campaigns.
“At the end of the day, you are Smucker’s – you are trying to appeal to everybody. Your image is everything,” said Frost. “If we as consumers are telling you that we don’t want you to do something, maybe you shouldn’t do it.”
Coupled with the headquarters rally, protesters will gather on Saturday in grocery stores around the country to show that consumers do not want products that use GMOs in their supermarkets.
“The event is a great culmination to the movement,” said Zack Sheehan ’14, an organizer of the event. “Whether you agree with GMO practices or not, come learn more about it.”
If you are interested in attending the Orville protest, email organizers Frost (RFrost14@wooster.edu) or Sheehan (ZSheehan14@wooster.edu).