CLEVELAND - White County's link to a worldwide environmental protest attracted some 80-plus participants Saturday.
The event was the "March Against Monsanto," and protesters voiced their opposition to, among other things, genetically-modified plants and food products.
Co-organizer for the event in Cleveland Carol McLemore said the event was being held simultaneously in 55 countries around the word. Cleveland was one of five cities in Georgia holding protests. Marches and rallies were held across the U.S. and in dozens of other countries Saturday. (See separate story. Third link below.)
The protesters not only were voicing their opposition and educating the public about the dangers on the ground but participant Chris Elliott told the gathering prior the their march through downtown Cleveland, that there dangers way up in the air, as he pointed to jet vapor trails.
"Now they are finding out that there is aluminum, barium and other chemicals in that vapor trail up there, which is affecting our health," Elliott said. Elliott pointed to chemical giant Monsanto as tied to these hazards.
Following a short rally the marchers shared their message to motorists traveling around the square in downtown Cleveland and then marched the sidewalks spreading the word.
Monsanto Co., based in St. Louis, said Saturday that it respects people's rights to express their opinion on the topic, but maintains that its seeds improve agriculture by helping farmers produce more from their land while conserving resources such as water and energy.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Friday
April 19th, 2024
12:17AM
