Glyphosate controversy sparks debate among mothers in the United States

Protesters Gather Outside US Supreme Court, Rallying Against Bayer’s Liability Protection

A few hundred protesters gathered outside the United States Supreme Court in Washington, DC on April 27 to express their opposition to Bayer’s liability protection. The court is currently hearing oral arguments in the case Monsanto Company v Durnell, which could impact the ability of individuals to sue Bayer over allegations that its herbicide glyphosate causes cancer.

The herbicide, previously a key ingredient in Roundup, has been linked to numerous lawsuits, with Bayer settling almost 100,000 cases and paying approximately $11 billion to plaintiffs. However, tens of thousands of unsettled cases remain, and new ones continue to be filed.

A group of activists, known as “MAHA moms,” attended the rally, holding signs with slogans such as “How much cancer is acceptable?” and “Monsanto knew.” The group includes influencers and grassroots organizers who have supported Robert F Kennedy Jr’s presidential run. Despite initial enthusiasm from President Donald Trump, who promised to bring Kennedy on as health secretary, the administration ultimately backed Bayer at the Supreme Court.

The protesters expressed their concerns about the potential impact of liability protection on individuals seeking justice for alleged health issues related to glyphosate use. “A government that shields corporations from the people does not serve the public,” said Kelly Ryerson, a prominent activist in the group. The rally was part of a broader effort by MAHA moms and their supporters to influence decisions in Congress, at the White House, in the courts, and at the ballot box.

Following the rally, the activists visited the House of Representatives and used social media platforms to pressure lawmakers into removing liability protection language from the Farm Bill. In a surprising display of bipartisanship, 73 Republicans joined most Democrats on April 30 to pass an amendment that would remove such protections. The outcome was seen as a significant victory for the group, with Ryerson stating, “It was really nerve-racking… We watched the live voting and could not have been more relieved and excited.”

Source: Al Jazeera