INTERNATIONAL BIO CONVENTION, ACTIVISTS HOST SIDEWALK SESSIONS

BOSTON, Mass JUNE 17, 2012

Local and national activists host Sidewalk Sessions while the 1% discusses industry strategies that compromise our biological heritage at the International BIO Convention: The Global Event for Biotechnology, June 18-21, 2012.

A coalition of organic farmers, anti-biotech and pesticide activists, and Occupy Boston gather at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center for a "Sidewalk Session" of the International BIO Convention (IBC) beginning Monday, June 18 at 8:00AM. Public and press are invited to join Occupy Boston, Occupy Monsanto, Millions Against Monsanto, Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA), NOFA Mass, Ciclivida, Occupy New Hampshire and The LEAH Collective.

Sidewalk Sessions occur all week at 415 Summer Street and other locations. Activists speak up about the dangers of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and pesticides in our food supply and in the environment. The activist's goal is to educate the public about alternatives to GMO: organic and urban gardening, food sharing, organic seed saving and food activism. Activists hope to begin a public dialog by raising awareness of the dangers of GMO's, pesticides and big pharma.

Occupy Boston, Occupy Monsanto, Millions Against Monsanto Ciclivida, NOFA, and NOFA Mass, will sponsor workshops, teach-ins, and street theater to reach out to the community. Join Occupy Boston, anti-Monsanto and food justice activists to speak out and be heard. Here are some of the places you can join the activists and participate in this free, public forum.

Follow the event on twitter! #BIO2012, #BIO1x1, #occupyboston  

Monday June 18th, 8:00AM to 1:00PM: 

Sidewalk Session of International BIO Convention
BCEC
415 Summer St.
Boston, MA

Monday June 18th, 2:00PM to 7:00PM: 

"Student Intervention" at BIO Career Fair.
Hynes Convention Center
Exhibit Hall C
900 Boylston St.
BOSTON, MA

Tuesday 5:30PM to 7:00PM closed door event: 

Public Officials Reception with Biotech sponsors.
Meet at the State House to protest closed door meetings between corporate interests and our public officials.
Massachusetts Statehouse
1 Ashburton Place
BOSTON, MA

Tuesday June 19th 7:00PM - 8:30PM: CEO and health advocate reception

John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse
One Courthouse Way
BOSTON, MA

Wednesday, June 20th: 5:30PM 

Ciclovida's Seeds of Resistance Gathering Spontaneous Celebrations, 
Gathering and screening, "Agrofuels" followed by discussion and celebration Thursday, June 21st Dewey Square, more with Ciclovida, seed share ...
45 Danforth Street Jamaica Plain, MA

Keep an eye out for events planned on Thursday by Occupy Boston, Ciclovida and other Sidewalk Sessions the closing day of the conference.

Long time pesticide activist Ellen Fine will be sharing her story and facilitating some of the sidewalk sessions. Fine became involved in GMO and pesticide activism after she became seriously ill. Pesticides were sprayed on her condo path by a careless technician near the Needham Public library, "the pesticides brought on chemical pneumonia and gave me blurry vision for months." She founded the LEAH Collective and the LEAH Advocacy Group to promote common sense legislation to protect children from pesticides.

Fine says, "Spending years researching did noting. Bringing in Harvard researchers and doctors and 300 pages of medical and scientific research did nothing. When the pesticide lobbyists show up to Town Meetings, Town Boards, State legislators they influence with industry-sponsored science and millions of dollars in their pockets. The health of Americans takes a backseat to the bottom dollar at Monsanto, Dow, Syngenta and Scott's."

She says, "In pesticides, 'inert' ingredients are protected by trade secrets; pesticides are not tested for the health effects on children or women. ... all formulations of Roundup cause cell death within 18-24 hours to placental, umbilical and embryonic cells in studies by French researcher, Gilles Eric Seralini and Nora Benachor. Pesticide exposure is linked to cancers of many forms, ADD/ADHD, diabetes and asthma, Parkinson's disease and the list goes on..."

"Each time the pesticide lobby known as RISE PLANET came to town and influenced officials to vote it down. This is why I occupy!" –Ellen founder of the LEAH Advocacy Group "With purpose heart and peace, we gather at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center...."