May 23 marks the global March Against Monsanto day, which aims to raise awareness about health threats posed by the $20-billion corporation's genetically modified seeds and chemical herbicides.
Protesters gathered in the small commune of Peyrehorade on the southwestern tip of France, where one of Monsanto's nine plants is located. A video posted by one of the event's participants depicted dozens of activists beat their drums outside the corporation's fences as its security guards looked on.
RT's Lizzie Phelan reported in Melun, a town some 35 miles southeast of Paris, demonstrators were given organic seeds produced by a collective in the run-up to Saturday's march.
The worldwide protests' coordinator, the March Against Monsanto (MAM) group, claimed on its website that 428 cities in 38 countries will hold peaceful demonstrations on Saturday.
The MAM movement seeks to shed light on the dangers surrounding Monsanto's genetically modified seeds and herbicides linked to cancer, particularly Roundup.
In response to questions about protesters' allegations, Monsanto Company spokeswoman Charla Lord told Sputnik that people are free to express their opinion. She added that the company is committed to "making a more balanced meal accessible for everyone."
Initially founded as a food additive company in 1901, Monsanto employs 22,000 people across 61 countries and is the world's leading producer of genetically engineered seeds and chemical herbicides.
