Prince George activists are sending out the rallying cry for the second time this year against genetically engineered foods.
The second March Against Monsanto begins Saturday at 11 a.m. and organizers are hoping to build upon the success of the event held in the spring, which drew 300 attendees.
"It was absolutely a resounding success," said local organizer Karmjeet Manhas.
March Against Monsanto is an international movement calling for the boycott of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
"It's a peaceful march, we talk about health. We bring the topics to people's awareness," Manhas said.
Monsanto is a U.S.-based agricultural biotechnology corporation that produces genetically engineered seeds as well as the herbicide Roundup. Marches take place in 52 countries around the world.
For Manhas, success isn't just in the number of people who came out to support the cause in the city, but also in the level of understanding about the concept of genetically modified food products.
"There's more awareness just from the grassroots level, myself included. Now when I talk to someone and ask 'do you know what genetic modification is,' now they're aware of it," said Manhas.
"Before it was just a word... they didn't really understand the concept of it."
More than 60 countries around the world have full or partial bans on genetically engineered foods or require products made with modified crops to be labelled as such.
As someone involved in fitness and healthy living - Manhas owns a local martial arts studio - getting involved was a logical step, he said.
"There's millions of years of perfect evolution in the genetic code and then we're forcing changes without testing them. It just doesn't make any sense," he said.
"At the very least, please test the GMOs before they give them to us. We want them labelled."
The event was founded by California resident Tami Canal.
"Monsanto's predatory business and corporate agricultural practices threaten [her daughters'] generation's health, fertility," she said in a press release.
"[March Against Monsanto] supports a sustainable food production system."
The march begins at 11 a.m. and will wind its way through the city centre before wrapping up outside the courthouse. Participants are encouraged to wear red clothing.
