Activists to Gov. Jerry Brown: Protect Us from Toxic Strawberries

Gov. Jerry Brown has received hundreds upon hundreds of tweets and Facebook messages today. But we're guessing that his sudden internet popularity isn't making him feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

More than 500 people have tweeted at Governor Jerry Brown and/or written on his Facebook page wall in just a few short hours, with more people sending messages by the minute. All of these messages have one major theme: The Governor needs to ban the cancer-causing pesticide, methyl iodide — now.

The messages came about as part of a social media day of action orchestrated by Change.org and Pesticide Action Network (PAN). Environmental activists and concerned citizens were encouraged to take to their computers today and flood Gov. Jerry Brown's social media accounts with anti-methyl iodide sentiments. The day has been a huge success so far, with more people joining the day of action by the minute.

Back in March, Gov. Brown promised he would "take a fresh look" at the approval of methyl iodide, which was greenlighted under the Schwarzenegger administration in December of 2010. He still hasn't re-examined the pesticide's approval — which is why it's time to remind him of methyl iodide's dangers.

Methyl iodide is a pesticide so toxic that it's actually used in laboratory settings to grow cancer cells. The chemical has been linked to cancers, kidney problems, thyroid disease, late-term miscarriages, and a laundry list of other health problems. There's been a huge amount of backlash ever since the Department of Pesticide Regulation approved methyl iodide for use in California, with today's social media event just the latest tactic to push Gov. Brown to ban methyl iodide.

The social media day of action was preceded by PAN's hugely popular petition on Change.org, which asks Gov. Brown to immediately rescind the approval of methyl iodide. More than 30,000 people have signed the petition on Change.org — you can add your name by going here.

The social media day of action is also taking place during a petition delivery event in Sacramento. Members of PAN are gathering in Sacramento today to deliver the list of petition signatures to the Brown administration. They're also staging a mock fumigation on the steps of the Capitol to showcase the dangers that methyl iodide poses.

If you'd like to tell Gov. Brown how you feel about methyl iodide, it's not too late! Join the social media day of action, and sign PAN's petition asking the governor to immediately rescind the approval of methyl iodide.

Photo credit: jetsandzeppelins via Flickr