Michelle Obama, STOP The Dark Act! S.764 is Discriminatory!

My name is Samantha McDaniel and I am a family support worker at Healthy Babies Project in Washington DC. I work with teen moms and a lot of them are from very underprivileged neighborhods with low incomes. When I take these moms shopping to teach them how to buy healthy, non GMO food it is already challenging enough. They would never use a smart phone to scan a QR code or go to a website like S.764 would require them to do because most can't afford a smart phone. It's also dangerous to be looking at a phone when you have a baby in the cart or a toddler running off in a public place with possible predators nearby. Our moms would not use their cell phone minutes because they have Pay As You Go phones and can't afford to use up their minutes on calling food companies. This bill’s reliance on access to high-tech label readers places a significant new barrier between low-income people and good nutrition.

I ask you, Michelle Obama to urge your husband label GMOs and keep his word as he said he would in his campaign by clearly labeling GMOs -- in writing, on the package.

As you are a mother of a child with an allergy, and one who supports organic gardening we hope you will support other mothers as well.

-Samantha McDaniel Healthybabiesproject.org

From Moms Across America:

Signing this petition is an URGENT matter.

We need Michelle to speak to President Obama immediately, as the bill could become law this month.

The so called "GMO Labeling Bill" S.764 or otherwise known as the DARK Act - Denying Americans the Right to Know - is discriminatory against low income citizens, minorities, as well as senior citizens and people who live in rural locations also because it:

1. Allows food manufacturers to "label" GMOs with a mere QR code that says "Scan this for more Food information," a website or a telephone number without the owrds GMO anywhere on the package. This means senior citizens would have to buy and learn how to either scan the package with a smart phone, log onto a website or make a telephone call. Many seniors are no able to so do and this leaves them disadvantaged.

2. Many rural areas do not have cell phone reception or Wi-Fi in stores and therefore even if one did have a Smart Phone or cell phone, and they wanted to, they might not be able to access the information and be disadvantaged.

3. People of low income, seniors and minorities have enough stress, difficulties and discrimination in their lives right now. They deserve honest information just like everyone else.

4. Health issues in America are disproportionately affecting minorities. Much higher numbers of African American, Hispanic and low income children have diabetes and obesity. The parents of these sectors are especially in need of access to information which could impact their families health to prevent costly illnesses.

American citizens deserve to have the words identifying GMO ingredients written clearly, on the package, just like salt or sugar, so they make make informed decisions.

Please watch these videos to Michelle
Samantha McDaniel- teen mom support worker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06R2i9HPtrM

Paul LaBossiere- senior citizen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyfZbUtgJSA

Antoinette Carter- mom
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uQHhyhLvqI

Thank you! 

From Healthy Babies Project and Moms Across America