Occupy protestors target NM chiles

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) - The chile pepper purists are fired up over genetically modified crops, especially the states staples red and green chiles. They say alerting the peppers destroys their uniqueness and allows imposters and big corporations to take over.

"New Mexico green chile needs to come from here, and it needs to be the same crops we've grown for centuries," said protestor JD Trebec. He and dozens of fellow protestors marched through downtown Saturday afternoon. They met at Robinson park on Central to discuss the issue.

Many of the protestors waved signs reading "No poison in our green chile" and "Don't let big corporations steal our state pride." They say modifying the crop leaves the door wide open for corporate America to move in on the homegrown tradition.

Protestors are also signing petitions demanding congress be legally required to label all genetically modified foods.

New Mexico state agricultural officials say there are already laws to protect the integrity of locally grown chiles.

Protestors will be at Robinson park again Sunday starting at 11 a.m.