We are gathered in our nation’s Capitol representing many thousands of Americans and their families, who cannot be here today because they are sick or caring for someone who is sick.^1,2,3 We are here for families and physicians living in fear they will be discriminated against and punished if they speak honestly in their communities about what they know to be true.^4,5,6,7,8

We have come to defend freedom of thought, speech and conscience, the inalienable natural rights that unite us, regardless of where we live, the color of our skin, the faith that sustains us, or the philosophies that define us. We are calling on government to do its job and protect the people’s health — instead of protecting profit-making industries doing business with government and manipulating information released by the mainstream media.

We are advocating for the right to know the truth about the safety of the food we eat,⁹ the water we drink,¹⁰ the drugs doctors prescribe^11,12,13 and the vaccines Americans are forced to get to attend school,¹⁴ receive medical care^15,16 and hold a job.^17,18 And we are here to witness the suffering of our children, who have no voice and have no choice except the one that we, their mothers and fathers, give to them.

Why Are American Children Sicker Than Ever Before?

We want government officials to explain to us why our country — which spends the most on health care^19,20 and has one of the highest child vaccination rates in the world²¹ — is crippled by a chronic disease and disability epidemic that costs more than $2 trillion a year²² and has created the sickest child and young adult population in America’s history:

• 1 child in 6 learning disabled²³
• 1 in 9 with asthma²⁴
• 1 in 10 diagnosed with a mental disorder²⁵
• 1 in 13 severely allergic to food²⁶
• 1 in 20 epileptic²⁷
• 1 in 50 developing autism²⁸
• 1 in 400 with diabetes²⁹

Millions more are struggling with other kinds of brain and immune system damage marked by chronic inflammation in the body. There is no price tag high enough to put on the costs that will bankrupt our nation as these children grow up as many face a lifetime of health care and housing needs.³⁰

What kinds of jobs will they hold? Where are they going to live? What happens when their parents die?³¹ We will not be silent as the biological integrity of another generation of children is destroyed in this bitter harvest that can only continue if we allow it to continue.