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Tired of having their health freedom oppressed by an overbearing US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), mothers from across the US are joining together for a “freedom ride” and protest on November 1, 2011, in defense of the right to transport raw milk across state lines. These mothers and their supporters will travel to Pennsylvania to purchase raw milk, drive back into the state of Maryland where raw milk sales are illegal, and stage a peaceful demonstration in front of FDA headquarters in Silver Spring.

Maryland is one of 11 US states where raw milk sales are currently illegal. The retail sale of raw milk is legal in nearby Pennsylvania, but FDA interstate commerce laws prohibits individuals from driving there or to other nearby states to legally buy it and bring it back into Maryland. So because FDA has refused to open up a dialogue to discuss the issue, mothers who cherish the freedom to feed their families this wholesome food product will instead bring the debate right to the FDA’s front door instead.

“It is absolutely ridiculous that the FDA is spending time, energy and money on turning mothers into criminals over milk,” says Liz Reitzig, co-founder of the Farm Food Freedom Coalition (FFFC), which is responsible for the event, and co-coordinator of Grassfed on the Hill buying club in Washington DC. “It’s high time we changed this law and decriminalized mothers who wish to provide fresh milk for their families.”

Upon arrival at 10903 New Hampshire Avenue around noon on Nov. 1, the mothers will openly consume pastured, raw milk in front of FDA’s facilities, and will also share it with their children and other event supporters, which will include renowned speakers Joel Salatin, Mark McAfee, David Gumphert, Max Kane, Michael Schmidt, and Liz Reitzig.