Advocate for Labeling of Genetically Engineered Food Announces Bicycle Ride from the White House to California Beginning June 20

WASHINGTON, June 18, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kevin Keefe, a 60-year-old retired bicycle messenger, will pedal more than 3,000 miles from the White House to California beginning June 20, 2012 to raise awareness about the genetically engineered foods that Americans unknowingly consume. These foods, typically developed in a lab to survive application of chemical herbicides or to produce insecticide, are also termed "genetically modified organisms" or "GMOs." Unlike nearly 50 other countries, including Japan, China, Russia, and all European Union nations, the U.S. does not label GMOs. In a climate of ongoing food safety failures, this lack of transparency is of growing concern to American consumers.

"The Right2Know Ride for GMO labeling is another commendable grassroots effort to raise awareness about our right to know what's in our food, and to choose non-GMO," says Non-GMO Project Executive Director Megan Westgate. The Right2Know Ride will arrive in California in mid-September to support California's GMO Right to Know ballot proposition that will go before voters on November 6. (Info at Http://CARighttoKnow.org.)

"I want Americans to know genetically engineered foods are detrimental to our health, just as they are to the environment and farmers' livelihoods," says cyclist Kevin Keefe. "Americans deserve the choice of whether to eat GMOs, just like people in Europe and China already have," says Keefe who will kick off the Right2Know Ride on Wednesday, June 20 in front of the White House at 8:00 am.

WHO: Right2Know Ride Cyclist Kevin Keefe and GMO Labeling Advocates

WHAT: Send Off for Cross Country Bicycle Right2Know Ride for GMO Labeling

WHEN: Wednesday, June 20, 2012, 8:00 Rally, 8:30 Right2Know Ride Begins.

WHERE: Sidewalk in front of the White House, 1600 Penn Ave NW Washington, DC

Kevin's Right2Know Ride will pass through numerous major cities including: Washington, DC; Pittsburgh, PA; Columbus, OH; Indianapolis, IN; St. Louis, MO; Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; and San Francisco, CA.

Who is Kevin Keefe? – A key planner for last year's Right2Know March that featured hundreds of people who walked from New York City to the White House in the name of GMO Labeling. The 313-mile march ended at the White House on October 16, 2011 with a rally of 500 people calling on President Obama to keep his campaign promise to label GMO foods. See Http://Right2KnowMarch.org.

Before becoming a GMO activist, Kevin was a Washington, DC based bicycle messenger for more than 25 years (see Washington Post article on his retirement http://tinyurl.com/6mqo3ys) "I'm going to pick up where the Right2Know March left off and bring the banner for GMO Labeling from DC to California," says Keefe.

Members of the media are encouraged to follow Kevin Keefe's Right to Know Ride via Twitter @Right2KnowMarch. Media seeking to interview Kevin or non-GMO supporters that wish to ride with him may reach him on his cell phone at 202-713-0160 or text.

CONTACT: Adam Eidinger [email protected]
Ph: 202-744-2671

SOURCE Right2Know Ride