December 20, 2006 Killer Coke Action Alert: Threats Against Workers, Students and Others by Colombian Paramilitaries and Vice-President Francisco Santos
Times of India, "K'taka bans cola in schools, colleges again," December 21, 2006
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Navhind Times, "Karnataka reimposes ban on soft drinks," December 21, 2006
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The New Zealand Herald, "Row goes on over school soft drinks," By Martin Johnston, December 16, 2006
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"Diet Coke's ingredients include phosphoric acid, citric acid, caffeine and the sweeteners aspartame and acesulphame potassium."
GulfNews.com from Financial Times, "Delhi pushes for cola ban in schools and universities," December 17, 2006
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International Herald Tribune from The Boston Globe, "Colombian government accused of links to rightist death squads: President and allies under investigation," By Indira A.R. Lakshmanan, December 14, 2006
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"The Colombian government, the recipient of billions of dollars in U.S. aid to fight drugs and a leftist insurgency, is under siege as evidence mounts of links between rightist death squads and dozens of officials loyal to President Álvaro Uribe. In the past week, the country's Supreme Court summoned six legislators to answer accusations that they had conspired with paramilitary leaders who are alleged to have killed tens of thousands of leftist sympathizers and ordinary civilians and to have run drug trafficking networks since the 1980s."
Chicago Tribune, "Some faith groups say bottled water immoral," By Rebecca U. Cho, December 15, 2006
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"Rooted in the notion that clean drinking water, like air, is a God-given resource that shouldn't be packaged and sold, a fledgling campaign against the bottling of water has sprung up among people of faith. And though the campaign is at a relative trickle, and confined mostly to left-leaning religious groups, activists hope to build a broad-based coalition to carry the message that water should not be available only to those who can afford it."
The Globe & Mail, "The religious war on bottled water: Church groups decry profit-fuelled craze," By Martin Mittelstaedt, September 23, 2006
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"Some churches in Canada have started to urge congregants to boycott bottled water, citing ethical, theological and social justice reasons. Bottled water, they argue, is morally tainted and should be avoided.
" 'I can't stand the whole idea' of bottled water, she said, citing the added garbage from discarded bottles and the greenhouse-gas emissions that spew from trucks that deliver it.
"Ms. Geraets, the Ottawa Lutheran, said water is 'a sacred gift' from God, and humans should act as stewards and not debase it by turning it into a marketable item. 'You don't sell a gift,' she said."
American Digital Networks, "Coca-Cola's Santa Claus: Not The Real Thing!" December 15, 2006
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Santa drank White Rock, not Coke, in December 1915
Video, "Coca-Cola: The Real Thing," By Aditi V. Desai
Watch Video
Countercurrents.org, "Death By Coke," By Joshua Frank, December 22, 2006
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Guerrilla News Network, "Death By Coke," By Joshua Frank, November 14, 2006
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"In other words, these multinational corporations give millions of dollars to schools so that their districts and vending machines exclusively carry their goods. In reality, however, it comes down to one big clever marketing ploy: In the end these big corporations have hooked kids on their products while fooling people into believing they are virtuous corporate citizens because they support education.
"Fortunately there is a growing movement across the country to ban sodas from schools. Indeed the feisty Killer Coke campaign, which focuses on the company's labor abuses and not Coke's negative health implications, has been successful is banning the product from over 10 major universities [now from over 20 colleges and universities and more than 10 outside the U.S.] in the US. But it would be wise to not just focus on the company's alleged murders in Colombia, and instead broaden the struggle against the soda industry by pointing out their complicity in the obesity epidemic worldwide. Because death truly is the 'real thing'."
Livin' Large
Is your soda killing you? A new push to expose the dangers of sugary drinks
Anchorage News, "EATING WELL: Ask the boy chef: Readers ask about frying Coke and smoking duck," By Chef Boy Ari, Dec. 13-19, 2006
Read letter
Southern Human Rights Organizers' Conference (SHROC), Houston, Texas, "Celebrating 10 Years of Building a Human Rights Movement in the Deep South," December 8-10, 2006
Campaign Director Ray Rogers spoke at the conference. The goal of SHROC is to bring together human rights organizers to discuss common issues and develop more effective strategies for building a human rights movement in the Deep South. The conference strengthened ties among human rights organizers throughout the South and held a demonstration on Saturday, Dec. 9 focusing on the struggles against Coca-Cola, Wal-Mart and McDonald's.
For more information on human rights organizing in the south contact the Mississippi Workers' Center for Human Rights.
BBC News, "Activist fights for better world," By Richard Allen Greene, December 5, 2006
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Read the April 25, 2005 Campaign newsletter about the Coke shareholders' meeting in which Illai Kenney is quoted.
U.S. Newswire, "'Calorie Burning' Enviga Tea Drink a Fraud, Group Says; CSPI to Sue Coke, Nestle if Weight Loss Claims Persist," By Center for Science in the Public Interest, December 4, 2006
Read Press Release
United Students Against Sweatshops, "Swarthmore Cuts Contract with Coca-Cola: Coca-Cola refuses to take responsibility for its participation in the execution of union leaders"
Read Press Release
The Phoenix, "Kick Coke works to continue dialogue with Coca-Cola," By Apolline Berty, November 30, 2006
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Press Release, "Swarthmore College Removes Coca-Cola Products from Campus," November 28, 2006
Read Release
Read Release from Scoop Independent News
Graphic by Natalia Muriel
"I applaud your efforts in rallying awareness of Coke's attrocities in Colombia and around the world. As a native Colombian living in the U.S., I feel compelled to join in the struggle," wrote Natalia.
Financial Times, "Coke joins battle for the brand," By Andrew Ward, Novembe r20, 2006
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Financial Times Deutschland, "Coke joins battle for the brand," By Andrew Ward, December 5, 2006
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The Australian, "New boss hopes things go better for Coke as protesters unbottle criticisms," November 22, 2006
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"But Ray Rogers, head of the Campaign Against Killer Coke, the company's fiercest foe, rejects the notion that Coke has changed.
" 'They still deal with these issues as a public relations problem,' he said. 'Anything they have done to clean up their act is in response to political and economic pressure rather than because it is the right thing to do.'
"Tim Smith, senior vice-president of socially responsible investing for Walden Asset Management, believes activists such as Mr Rogers play an important role in scrutinising corporate behaviour. "'Without people like him, Nike and Gap might never have been forced to address the terrible working conditions in sweatshops.' "
Political Affairs, "Organized Labor in Retreat Just When It is Needed Most," By Sherwood Ross, November 6, 2006
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"And halfway around the world, in Colombia, the deaths are deliberate. In 2001, some 170 union workers were assassinated. The President of Colombia's Food and Beverage Union, who picketed a Coca-Cola shareholder meeting in New York, said workers were murdered so they could be replaced with temps."
AMOnline.com, "Activists Call On Coke, Pepsi And Nestle To Provide Water Quality Information," November 21, 2006
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"Three out of four Americans drink bottled water and one in five Americans drink only bottled water. 'This dangerous trend is being fueled by misleading marketing,' said Corporate Accountability International Associate Campaigns Director Gigi Kellett, in a prepared statement. 'Corporations like Coke, Nestle and Pepsi spend tens of millions of dollars every year to undermine people's confidence in tap water, even though bottled water is less regulated and sometimes less safe.' "
DailyIndia.com, "Anti-Coke protest in Ahmedabad," November 21, 2006
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Creative Loafing.com, "Coke's gift not the real thing: Museum site puts Civil Rights at the back of bus," By Timothy Harrison, November 15, 2006
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"Statements from Coca-Cola regarding the 'synergy' of a rights museum next to the World of Coke are telling. It's no secret that after failing to draw crowds at its current location near Underground, the soda-pop emporium is eager to surround itself this time with high-powered attractions. Thus the 'generous' land gift to the aquarium and now the Civil Rights museum."
Ananova, "Woman sues after drinking 5,000 litres of Coke," November 15, 2006
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"Miss Kashuba said she had become addicted to the drink as a result of a promotional offer that allowed consumers to swap Coca Cola caps for prizes."
"In a landmark ruling, two Russian courts agreed that Coca Cola had failed to warn of the potential health risks of drinking too much Coke and awarded Miss Kashuba £62."
Read Julia Havey's warning about this promotion by Coke in the News Tribune
Read Julia Havey's statement about MyCokeRewards
Chicago Tribune, "Critics sour on rules for kids' food ads: 10 firms make move in face of regulation," By John Schmeltzer, November 15, 2006
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"The new guidelines, which got a cool reception from watchdog groups, represent a pre-emptive move by the food industry to regulate itself in the face of threats of congressional action and other regulation. This comes as the number of overweight children has quadrupled in the United States since 1960. Recent studies have categorized 16 percent of U.S. children as obese."
PLEASE READ THE SECTION AT THE END OF THE ARTICLE on page 2 with the subhead "New rules, little change...The food industry's self-imposed guidelines and expected impact:"
"GUIDELINE 1: Devote at least half of advertising directed to children on television, radio, in print and on the Internet to promote healthier dietary choices and messages that encourage good nutrition or healthy lifestyles.
"IN PRACTICE: The new rules won't mean that some products high in sugar will get less airtime on after-school TV shows..."
DrugNewsWire, "National Day of Action Challenges Coke, Nestle and Pepsi: People Across U.S. Demand Bottled Water Meet Same Reporting Standards as Tap," November 15, 2006
Read Press Release
" 'Corporations like Coke, Nestle and Pepsi spend tens of millions of dollars every year to undermine people's confidence in tap water, even though bottled water is less regulated and sometimes less safe.' "
Interactive Media about Killer Coke, by Varinthorn (Kay) Christopher
"Help! Evil Cokes are hiding in my kitchen. Find any one of them & drag the can out of my kitchen to see why drinking Coke is not cool."
Find the Coke Can
The Phoenix, "Swarthmore officially kicks Coke," By Martha Marrazza, November 9, 2006
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"The Kick Coke campaign has convinced the administration to cut Swarthmore's contract with Coca-Cola completely. Although the administration moved to eliminate Coke products from Essie Mae's and the coffee bars last spring, Swarthmore's decision to terminate its still extant contract with Coke will mean the removal of all Coca-Cola products from Sharples and the remainder of campus. The change in product offerings is set to occur over winter break. " Congratulations!
The New York Times, "America's Laziest Man," By Nicholas D. Kristof, November 7, 2006
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Barry Diller of IAC/Interactive is a member of Coke's Board of Directors; "Last year, Barry Diller took home a pay package worth $469 million, making him the highest-paid chief executive in America...IAC also said that the package was necessary to 'motivate Mr. Diller for the future.' Goodness, this man needs a lot of motivation! He required about $150,000 every hour just to get motivated — suggesting that he may be the laziest man in America."
Just Drinks, "US: Colombian claims back to haunt Coke - report," November 6, 2006
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"Coke, which itself was dismissed from the lawsuit in 2003, has repeatedly denied the accusation but has had its public image damaged by the claim. Several US universities have boycotted the company's products on the back of the accusations."
Pulse of the Twin Cities, "Coke gets the first and final word," By Chaz Davis, October 27, 2006
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Inprint (Eugene Lang College and The New School), "Students Push to Ban Coke," By Rob Hartman, Fall 2006
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The Union Mail (American Postal Workers Union), "Are you still drinking Coca-Cola?" By Chuck Zlatkin, October 2006
Read Aricle
Venzuelaanalysis.com, "Coca-Cola Blockade Ends as National Assembly President Negotiates Exit," By Steven Mather, October 30, 2006
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"Flores said that the company had been attempting to avoid paying out compensation to workers by designating them as contracted, rather than permanent employees. She added that after helping the company to grow, 'it isn’t fair that in the end of the day they don’t recognise the labor rights.' "
Chicago Tribune, "U.S. hiring standards get left at border: Job ads that in this country might bring lawsuits alleging bias are routine in Mexico," By Marla Dickerson & Meredith Mandell, October 30, 2006
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Infoshop News, "Oaxaca Solidarity: Take action against Coca-Cola's support of PRI and Vicente Fox," October 29, 2006
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The Minnesola Daily, "Opinion: Students' views on Coca-Cola issue," By Amelia Smith, October 31, 2006
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The Beacon (Florida International University), "Club rallies against Coca-Cola," By Ben F. Badger Jr., October 26, 2006
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GSEU Rank and File (SUNY Stony Brook), "GSEU Stony Brook Unanimously Endorses Coca-Cola Boycott Resolution"
Read Resolution
The Harvard Crimson, "What’s That Noise?" By Michael Gould-Wartofsky, October 27, 2006
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The Phoenix, "Coca-Cola recieves ultimatum from college, By Mara Revkin, October 26, 2006
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Boston Herald, "Dem’s Coke board contract was one $weet deal," By Dave Wedge, October 25, 2006
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Alternet, "The Bottled Water Lie," By Michael Blanding, October 26, 2006
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"The corporations that sell bottled water are depleting natural resources, jacking up prices, and lying when they tell you their water is purer and tastes better than the stuff that comes out of the tap."
Associated Press, "Ex-workers block Venezuela Coke plants," By Christopher Toothaker, October 24, 2006
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Read Earlier Report in International Herald Tribune
War on Want, "Corporate accountability: Challenging Corporate Power," October 24, 2006
Read Press Release
"The globalisation of the world’s economy means corporations have gained more and more power. Too often, multinational companies harm local communities, damage the environment and violate workers’ rights in the course of doing business – and there is no effective way of holding them to account when they do. Business is ethically unequipped to deliver for people and the environment. In the modern world, companies should be required to serve the interests of society as a whole – not just rich shareholders."
Colombia Journal Online, "Power and Double Standards in the U.S. Legal System: The Cases of Coca-Cola and the FARC," by Terry Gibbs, October 16, 2006
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South Bend Tribune, "IU students give out free root beer to protest Coca-Cola," October 15, 2006
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Fortwayne.com (Associated Press), "IU [Indiana University] students give out free root beer to protest Coca-Cola," October 13, 2006
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North American Dialogue, Volume 9 No. 2, The Society for the Anthropology of North America/American Anthropological Association, October 2006
(North American Dialogue is a publication of American Anthropological Association and University of California Press)
Inside This Newsletter
1 Report From the Frontlines:
Campaign to Stop Killer Coke (Rogers)
4 The Story Behind the Story:
Business Today Rejects Rogers’s Article
(compiled by Rogers and Waterston)
5 Report From the Frontlines:
Co-Defenders: How Human Rights Activists and
Anthropologists Can Work Together (Ortega)
9 Report From the Field:
Fighting For Justice, Dying For Hope
On the Protest Line in Colombia (Gill)
14 SANA Resolution: Boycott of Coca-Cola Products
15 Meeting Notes: Anthropology in an Uncertain
Age 2006 Spring SANA Meeting (Brash)
16 AAA 2006: Critical Intersections/
Dangerous Issues: Announcements of Interest
18 Anthropology Off the Shelf: SANA prizewinner
Gina Pérez’s The Near Northwest Side Story
19 Addendum: Coca Cola Co writes to SANA
Read the AAA Newsletter
webpronews.com, "Coke Drops Ball On Assassination PR Spin," By Jason Lee Miller, October 12, 2006
Read Article
Reports on Oct. 12 Day of Action Against Killer Coke
Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, U.S.: Our day of action was small-scale, but pretty good. Our administration just sent a letter to Coke demanding change, and if our demands are not met by Nov. 1st, we will cut the contract. So we felt that we couldn't celebrate quite yet, nor put pressure on the administration, so we had candy, a kick the coke can contest, and a card that students signed to thank the administration for sending the letter. It was a beautiful day, we got a lot of signatures, and it also helped to remind the student body that our campaign is still active.
King's College/University of Western Ontario, Canada
“By 11:30am the Day Of Action was on. Everyone did well in their respective roles. While some played dead, others distributed flyers, answered questions (and yes, we did have some inquisitive detractors). Everything went well.
The Media
We had both The Gazette and the London Free Press present. You may or may have not read today’s papers. Suffice it to say that the article in the London Free Press was conspicuously dubious. But that’s the media – what do you know!? The Gazette, on the other hand, presented a fair account of the event, I thought. given their rather outlandish reputation, I think you will appreciate what they did. They actually ‘reported!’
Talks
From the Administration’s point of view, they are only willing to consider the issue if we have signed petitions. Aramark maintains the same stance.
Now What?
We’ve ignited a buzz around campus; people are talking about Coke, they’re asking questions, and generally becoming more aware of the issue. Let’s take advantage of this. Write in the Gazette. Talk to your friends. Get the petitions signed. Remember, we have 2 weeks to get as many signatures as possible. We got about 500 on Thursday alone. Let’s get more! I have attached a copy of the petition herein. (Read the Petition.)
McMaster, Canada: On the 11th we had a Kick Coke Kegger, which was really successful thanks to the weather holding out. We handed out lots of literature and had a lot of interest from people. On the 13th we did a guerilla theatre action that got media attention and somewhat unfortunately police attention.
Ryerson, Canada: had a good info session where they had a Coke product trade in and handed out info. Had a lot of interest
Guelph, Canada: Had a die-in in their student centre, that also attracted police attention and the ire of the Coca-Cola Canada PR Rep (He sent a letter to their group as well as to the school administration.)
Carleton, Canada: Built two pyramids of consumption (coke product trash found around campus) and had an information table. They got some good coverage.
Please send us any photos and reports from your Day of Action
The London Free Press (Canada), "King's students want Coke banned: Demonstrators say the soft drink giant is linked to human rights abuses," By Jennifer O'Brien
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See more photos from Kings
The Minnesota Daily, "Key parties absent from MSA's forum on Coca-Cola," By JP Leider, October 12, 2006
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The Minnesota Daily, "Indian group pulls out of Coca-Cola forum: Without adequate representation, the scheduled event could become a forum to whitewash Coca-Cola's crimes," By Amit Srivastava, October 11, 2006
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Ethical Corporation, "Coke and Pepsi in India - Stuck in the middle with you?" October 11, 2006
Read Article
In These Times, "Cola Wars in Mexico," By Beverly Bell, October 6, 2006
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BeverageDaily.com, "Cola drinks destroy bones in women, study," By Chris Mercer, October 6, 2006
Read Article
Scoop Independent News, "Major Protest Against Coca-Cola in India," October 5, 2006
Read Article
India Resource Center, "Major Protest Against Coca-Cola in India: Over Thousand Villagers Demand Accountability for Water Scarcity and Pollution," October 4, 2006
Read Release
Indiana Daily Student, "No Sweat! protests IU's contract with Coke," By Paul Coover, October 5, 2006
Read Article
Pulse of the Twin Cities, "Who Owns Your Water?" by Sid Pranke, October 4, 2006
Read Article
Dow Jones, "Colombia union to appeal court decision in Coca-Cola case," October 4, 2006
Read Article
San Francisco Chronicle (AP), "Claims Against Coke Bottlers Dismissed," By Curt Anderson, October 3, 2006
Read Article
Worth Noting: U.S. District Judge Jose Martinez was a George W. Bush appointee.
The State News (Michigan State), "Student group protests Coca-Cola corporation on campus," By Fredricka Paul, September 29, 2006
Read Artcile
Scarlet & Black (Grinnell College), "College no longer Coke-only," BY Rachel Fields, September 22, 2006
Read Article
The Oberlin Review, "Oberlin Boycotts May Not Match Investments," By Jonah Kaplan-Woolner, September 22, 2006
Read Article
The Globe & Mail, "The religious war on bottled water: Church groups decry profit-fuelled craze," By Martin Mittelstaedt, September 23, 2006
Read Article
"Some churches in Canada have started to urge congregants to boycott bottled water, citing ethical, theological and social justice reasons. Bottled water, they argue, is morally tainted and should be avoided.
" 'I can't stand the whole idea' of bottled water, she said, citing the added garbage from discarded bottles and the greenhouse-gas emissions that spew from trucks that deliver it.
"Ms. Geraets, the Ottawa Lutheran, said water is 'a sacred gift' from God, and humans should act as stewards and not debase it by turning it into a marketable item. 'You don't sell a gift,' she said."
India Resource Center, "Court Decision to Quash State Ban on Coca-Cola and Pepsi Questioned: "Issue Far From Over, State Challenging High Court Order," September 22, 2006
Read Press Release
Forbes, (Associated Press), "Indian Court Overturns Coke, Pepsi Ban," By V.M. Thomas, September 26, 2006
Read Article
It should be noted that this decision does not deal with substance, but rather with jurisdiction.
"The High Court upheld the argument by Coke and Pepsi that Kerala had no jurisdiction to impose a ban on the manufacture and sale of their products. Only the federal government can ban food products, it ruled. The Kerala state government didn't give any time to the cola companies to submit their arguments before banning their products,' the court also said.
"The Kerala ban was the harshest across India, where seven of the country's 28 states imposed partial or complete bans on Coke, Pepsi, Sprite and other drinks from the companies after the Center for Science and Environment made the allegations Aug. 3. More than 10,000 schools have banned the beverages.
" 'The court's verdict quashing the Kerala government's order is unfortunate and the government is exploring legal steps to take corrective measures to reinforce the ban,' Chief Minister V. S. Achuthanandan told reporters."
The Gateway (University of Alberta), "Dispute shakes up Coke deal: Coca-Cola's alleged human rights abuses in Columbia leaves bitter aftertaste in La Chiva's mouth, the but SU has a sweet tooth for hefty scholarship funding," By Michael Liu & Natalie Climenhaga, September 21, 2006
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Financial Express, "WHO [World Health Organization] objects to reference in Coca-Cola campaignsm: By Alok Sharma, September 21, 2006
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"Taking exception to its name being 'unauthorisedly' used by Coca-Cola India in its promotional activities, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has asked the company to withdraw such references."
Chicago Sun-Times, "Dominican U students give Coke the boot," September 18, 2006, By Dave Newbart
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"Coke is no longer it at Dominican University in River Forest. The school entered into an exclusive agreement with Pepsi and stopped the sale of Coke products this semester, university officials say, in part because of student concerns that the soft-drink giant was allegedly involved in human-rights abuses against some of its workers in Colombia."
The article includes: 'U of I protest' and 'DePaul also switched.'
World War 4 Report, "Mexico: Democratic National Convention declares Lopez Obrador 'legitimate president'," By Bill Weinberg, September 18, 2006
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"The CND also laid out plans for disruptions of official events, for an election for a constituent assembly to rewrite the Constitution and for a boycott of companies that had financed Calderon's campaign, including the US firms Coca-Cola and Wal-Mart..."
Queensborough Community College Removes Coke from Campus
In another huge breakthrough at the City University of New York (CUNY), the nation's largest urban public university, Coca-Cola vending machines have all been removed from another of its campuses — Queensborough Community College. This victory was a result of the support the campaign received from the student government and members of the Professional Staff Congress, the union that represents faculty and staff at the university.
Our first victory at CUNY happened last spring when student campaigners rallied support from students, faculty and administrators, which led to the removal of Coke products from CUNY Law School. CUNY serves more than 450,000 students on more than 20 campuses. Activities are expanding throughout the CUNY system to make CUNY Coke-free.
DePaul University Also Removes Coke from Campus
Another huge campaign victory led by students was at DePaul University, the largest Catholic university in the United States, which after several years of persistent struggle, has also removed Coke products from its campus. From the DePaul students:
“After a more than four-year campaign led by the Activist Student Union (ASU) at DePaul University, we are pleased…to announce that DePaul has joined the Coke Boycott!
“The decision may have been made as early as July, though no official public statement had been made. Last week, though, the Coke vending machines began disappearing according to some of the ASU activists. Congratulations to the broad campaign, which included the school's DePaul Students Against the War, Concerned Black Students, Black Student Union, DePaul Alliance for Latino Empowerment [DALE], United Muslims Moving Ahead, feminists in action!, DePaul Community Service Association, and many other student groups across the campus.
Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign), "Coke Kills, Who Pays the Bills?" by Shivali Tukdeo, September 13, 2006
See photos and discussion
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has an exclusive contract with Coca-Cola that is up for renewal in June 2007. Coalition Against Coke Contracts (CACC) is organizing around this issue, trying to get the university to end its contract with Coca-Cola. We had a public rally on September 12 and it was very well attended.
Coalition Against Coke Contracts [http://caccuc.blogspot.com/] hosted a rally on Tuesday, September 12, 2006. Close to a hundred people marched to Swanlund to tell the U of I administration to get rid of Coca-Cola. Amit Srivastava from India Resource Center and Lori Serb addressed the rally.
Read the "Resolution Regarding the Exclusive Beverage Contract
between University Of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the Coca-Cola Company"
Click on graphic for larger version
Scotsman.com, "Dehydration is 'a real threat' to kids," By Kate Foster, September 17, 2006
Read Article
"SOFT drinks giant Coca-Cola has warned ministers that schoolchildren risk becoming 'dehydrated' if all of their products are banned from Scottish schools.
"In what critics claim is a cynical ploy to protect sales, Coca-Cola has written to the Executive laying out the health benefits of its diet and low-sugar drinks and insisting they should remain on sale. Coca-Cola is backed by other food industry representatives, including cake and biscuit and savoury snack manufacturers, who say that there is a place in the Executive's healthy eating plan for low-calorie and lower fat snacks in vending machines and dining halls."
FoodNavigator-USA.com, "The dollar value of corporate brands, By James Gregory, September 15, 2006
Read Article
Manhattanville College Removes Coke from Campus, Email from Manhattanville
"I am currently a Junior at Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY. Last Semester, we campaigned vigorously to kick killer coke off campus. We had an event where Ray Rogers came and spoke. I just wanted to let you all know that we have successfully kicked killer coke off the campus!! We came back this semester to the pleasant surprise. Thanks for everything that you have done and power to the campaign."
Killer Coke Commercial
See Commercial
The Mercury News, "Food industry shares blame for obesity," By Ramon Castellblanch, September 14, 2006
Read Article
"Obesity now causes 400,000 deaths in the United States each year, according to the American Journal of Public Health. And a recent report by Trust for America's Health, a national health advocacy group, notes this toll is particularly high among low-income Americans.
"While there are a host of causes behind this epidemic, one of the leading factors is the profit-driven behavior of food manufacturers and sellers. Coca-Cola spent $2.2 billion pushing its syrupy beverages in 2004, according to the British medical journal, Lancet...To shift blame away from itself, the food industry uses a public relations script that focuses on personal responsibility. It suggests that if people are overweight, it's their own fault. It claims the industry is only responding to consumer demand. It insists that any government action to abate its practices is an attack on freedom."
Scoop Independent News, " 'Water Rights' Tour Begins in India", India Resource Center, September 11, 2006
Read Release
The Scotsman, "How ethical is your office lunch?" By Mandy Frances, September 11, 2006
Read Article
University of Calgary Gauntlet, "C'mon Calgary, get with the flow!" By John Roe (Sports Editor), September 07, 2006
Read Article
"...the United Church of Canada drafted a resolution requesting its members stop buying bottled water in protest of the privatization of water supplies. Perhaps it is time to ask 'what would Jesus do?'
"The mistaken attitude towards water is that it's a limitless resource there for our misuse. Canadians are especially terrible when it comes to this attitude. According to Natural Resources Canada, we tend to waste more water than any other country in the world. Unfortunately, because we are surrounded by so many fresh water sources, it isn't hard to see why we can so easily abuse an increasingly important resource. Maybe if we paid $3 a litre for our water, we would realize the importance of water in the same way that paying over a dollar per litre for gasoline has forced us to become a more energy conscious society. With recent trends towards privatization, perhaps water will one day cost that much. Until then, however, we should take advantage of the clean water provided to us for free and stop filling garbage cans and recycling bins with unnecessary bottles."
For more information on misuse of water, go to The Polaris Institute
Earthtimes.org, "Obesity congress reopens debate over colas," By Anne Roberts, September 4, 2006
Read Article
"Increasing consumption of junk food may be to blame for obesity, but not half as much as sugary colas, a top expert on obesity warned at the 10th International Congress on Obesity in Sydney in Australia."
Read WNBC Article
Read Article by Julia Havey
HispanicBusiness.com, "Coke's Newest Headache," By Kate Norton, September 1, 2006
Read Article
"The string of woes has already taken some toll on Coke. Its shares have traded flat for the last year, and the value of the Coca-Cola brand slipped 1 percent in the last year, according to the most recent BusinessWeek/Interbrand Annual Ranking of the Top 100 Global Brands [see BusinessWeek.com, 8/7/06, 'The World's Best Brands']."
Cartoon by Jeff Parker, Florida Today
Workers World, "Colombian union under attack: U.S. trade unionists extend solidarity," By Berta Joubert-Ceci, August 31, 2006
Read Article
"The letter was signed, among others, by the president and vice president of the Boston School Bus Drivers, Steel Workers Local 8751, Frantz Mendes and Steve Gillis, respectively; National Teamsters Black Caucus Chair and Teamsters Local 808 Secretary/Treasurer Chris Silvera; National Co-Chair of the Million Worker March Movement and Local 10 International Longshore Workers Union past Secretary /Treasurer Clarence Thomas; President of the Philadelphia chapter of the Coalition of Labor Union Women Kathy Black; Philadelphia AFSCME District Council 47 President Thomas Paine Cronin; and labor supporters, the Most Rev. OFSJC Bishop of the Northeastern Diocese of St Francis of Assisi, CCA, Felipe C. Teixeira; Boston Rosa Parks Human Rights Day Committee Co-Chair Dorothea Manuela; and International Action Center Co-Director Teresa Gutierrez."
Read letter from labor
Tampabay 10 (Associated Press), "Coca-Cola sued over cancer-causing benzene," August 25, 2006
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Arkansas Democrat Gazette (Bloomberg News): "Benzene litigator aiming at Coke"
The Bridge, "Patrick took millions to defend corporate crimes," By Ray Rogers, August 25, 2006
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The Linewaiters' Gazette, "Bottled Water vs. Water-Part 2, By David Barouh
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BrandRepublic, "Coca-Cola hit by college votes for ethical boycott," by Nicola Clark, August 22, 2006
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NECN, "Sneak attack in Democratic primary for Governor," August 22, 2006
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You can access this video by clicking on page 1 of the 3 under the pictures on the right. Then click on "Sneak attack in Democratic primary..." You might want to see "Political Bloggers" found on page 3.
Commondreams.com, "Bush-Coke-Pepsi Triumvirate Under Fire in India," by Haider Rizvi, August 21, 2006
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"Killer Coke at Global Village," Email from Global Village, a camp in Britain of 4,500 from 40 countries
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Amy N., 15 years old and from a township in South Africa’s Cape province (see photo above), appeared on the popular nightly GVTV news programme pouring what appeared to be blood from a bottle of Coca-Cola as she explained why Colombian trade unionists and Indian farmers call for a boycott and publicising a workshop on Coca-Cola in Colombia.
United Press International,"Coca-Cola banned at British university," August 19, 2006
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"Britain's University of Sussex has banned all Coca-Cola products from its student union to protest the company's alleged business practices. Other British campuses are expected to follow suit amid calls for a nationwide student boycott against the soft drink giant, the Independent reported Saturday.
Mail & Guardian, "Has Coke become the new McDonald's?" By David Teather, August 18, 2006
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"Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, a Nigerian lawyer, was explaining how he intended to take on Coca-Cola, the world's largest soft drinks company. He claims to be acting for some 4,000 people in the port area of Apapa, many of them poor and illiterate, who believe that a local bottling plant has stolen their livelihoods. A lawsuit is planned accusing the company of polluting a lagoon by pumping untreated waste into the water and killing fish. 'Like many multinational companies operating in Africa, Coca-Cola is guilty of double standards,' he said. 'They do what they are unable to do in America and Europe. We feel cheated. People are roaming the streets with no means of making a living.' "
The Progressive, "Bush Administration Twists Arms for Coke, Pepsi," By Amitabh Pal, August 15, 2006
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Canadian Dimension, "Inside Colombia‚s Coke problem:It’s Not What You Think," Originally published in HERE Magazine,By Chris Arsenault, August 18, 2006
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Brooklyn Papers, "H2-Woe!: Slope mom wants you to stop drinking bottled water," By Gersh Kundztman, August 12, 2006
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Valley Advocate, "Killer Resumé: Can Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Deval Patrick overcome his Coca-Cola past?" by Maureen Turner, August 10, 2006
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The Boston Globe, "Candidates squawk, but money talks," By Derrick Z. Jackson, August 9, 2006
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"We will know that Patrick is serious about healthcare when he says Coke and Pepsi should be pulled out of every school system in the country and he uses his resume as President Clinton's top civil rights attorney to urge civil rights organizations to stop taking money from companies that could care less about whether we drink ourselves into diabetes and early graves.
"But Patrick is not likely to bite the hand that paid him millions of dollars. His competitors likewise have their hands in the till of compromise and irony."
State House News Service, "PATRICK CRITIC HEADING FOR MASS., INTENDING TO DOG CANDIDATE," By Jim O'Sullivan, August 8, 2006
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This article incorrectly states that Campaign to Stop Killer Coke Director Ray Rogers is "planning to disrupt Deval Patrick campaign appearances this week..." Ray Rogers has no intention of disrupting Deval Patrick's campaign events. However, he hopes to reach out to the public with the truth about Deval Patrick.
India Resource Center, "Arrogance and Impunity - Coca-Cola in India," By Amit Srivastava, August 10, 2006
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The Hindu, "Cola row affects soft drinks sales," August 11, 2006
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Business Week, "Indian state bans Coke and Pepsi brands," By Rajesh Mahapatra, August 9, 2006
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"Four Indian states have already banned the sale of Coke, Pepsi and other soft drinks at schools, colleges and government offices after a research group in New Delhi last week claimed they contained high levels of pesticide residue. But the state of Kerala was the first to impose a total ban on production and sales."
India Resource Center, "Kerala Throws Out Coca-Cola and Pepsi: Seven Other States Impose Ban, Others Expected to Follow, August 9, 2006
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The Boston Globe, "Report says sugary drinks pile on pounds," By Marilynn Marchione, August 8, 2006
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"An extra can of soda a day can pile on 15 pounds in a single year, and the "weight of evidence" strongly suggests that this sort of increased consumption is a key reason that more people have gained weight, the researchers say."
The Boston Globe, "Critics tag Patrick's corporate role: Group seeks to tie candidate to abuses," By Frank Phillips, August 7, 2006
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MSN Money, "Group: India Soft Drinks Pesticide-Laden," Associated Press, August 3, 2006
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India Resource Center, "Dangerous Pesticides in Coca-Cola and Pepsi in India: Study Three Years Later Shows Cola Companies Have Done Nothing to Improve Quality," August 3, 2006
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The Boston Globe, "Patrick says he quit The Fly Club in 1983: Nine exclusive clubs at Harvard limit membership to men. A gubernatorial candidate's link to one renews debate on elitism." By Frank Phillips, August 3, 2006
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"Yesterday, Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Deval Patrick, who has been stressing his hardscrabble South Side Chicago roots and his campaign of inclusion, told the Globe that he resigned his membership in the all-male Harvard Fly Club in 1983 -- five years after he graduated from Harvard College."
The Boston Globe, "Deval's United years," By Steve Bailey, July 28, 2006
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ZNet, "The Opposition to Coca Cola and Water Privatization: Activists in Medhiganj, India Rise Up," by Gina Drew and Mike Levien, July 25, 2006
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Der Standard (Major newspaper in Austria), "Glücksfabrik Coca-Cola: Neue Kampagne, beständige Vorwürfe," By Katharina Sporrer, July 12, 2006
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The New Standard, " 'Socially Responsible' Index Drops Coke; Big Investor Follows," by New Standard Staff, July 21, 2006
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Newsday (Editorial), "Shall we turn to the bottled?:Worries everywhere, and now, gulp, questions about our tap water," By Claudia Gryvatz Copquin, July 20, 2006
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"I'd never been sold on bottles, preferring the positive hype about our tap water. The gullibility is rooted in frugality: Why spend money for something I can get virtually free from my kitchen sink? Mostly though, while it's handy to carry water around, the inconvenient truth is, recycling notwithstanding, the bottles add millions of volume daily to our landfills. Bottling requires a wealth of energy resources to produce and ship.
And bottled water, governed by the Food and Drug Administration, is not nearly so regulated as municipal water. "No one should assume that just because he or she purchases water in a bottle that it is necessarily any better regulated, purer or safer than most tap water," says the Natural Resources Defense Council's Web page on the subject. It stipulates that some marketing by water bottling companies is misleading. That's why Nestle's Poland Springs was taken to court in a class-action suit in 2003. The company settled."
OneWorld South Asia, "Indian report confirms water pollution by Coca-Cola," July 20, 2006
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The Epoch Times, "'Get Ethical' Say Investors to Top Financial Company," By Georgia Heyward, July 19, 2006
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Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Social responsibility of Coca-Cola questioned: Giant retirement fund decides to sell shares," By Caroline Wilbert, July 19, 2006
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Commondreams.org, "Coca-Cola Suffers Big Blow in Investment Community," Campaign to Stop Killer Coke, July 18, 2006
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Scotsman.com Business (Reuters), "TIAA-CREF drops COke from Social Choice Account," By Cal Mankowski, July 18, 206
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Atlanta Business Chroniclel, "Coke dropped from KLD's Broad Market Social Index," July 18, 2006
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CSR Wire, "At Its Annual Meeting Shareholders, Activists Demand TIAA-CREF Accountability on Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility," July 17, 2006
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The Korea Times, "Coca-Cola Attempts to Cover Up Poisoning Threat: US Company's Crisis-Management Skills in Doubt," By Park Hyong-ki, July 13, 2006
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The Observer, "Soft drink hard sell," By Phil HOgan, July 9, 2006
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Agence France-Presse, "University of Cologne Boycotts Coca-Cola/Uni Köln boykottiert Coca-Cola," June 29, 2006
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India Resource Center, "Villagers End Hunger Strike Against Coca-Cola: Get Commitments from Government, Place Deadline for Action, July 3, 2006
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News Tribune, "St. Louis weight-loss instructor sues Coke over promotion," By Christopher Leonard, July 14, 2006
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"[Julia Havey's attorney] Watkins said he also would drop the suit if one of Coca-Cola's directors let his child drink 151 soft drinks on television."
The Common Voice, "Is Coca Cola guilty of deceptive advertising and violation of the FTC's contest rules?" By Julia Havey, June 24, 2006
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Coca Cola in for a fight from health advocate Julia Havey!" By Julia Havey, July 2, 2006
"Liquid Candy: How Soft Drinks are Harming Americans' Health," By Michael F. Jacobson, Ph.D.
Read Interesting Analysis on this Subject: "MyCokeRewards Contest Impossible To Win Without Dying First"
"One of America's biggest diet vices are soft drinks. Now the Coca Cola Company is luring you to believe that you can win some spectacular prizes if you drink enough Coke There is one major problem with how they are hosting this contest: It is virtually impossible to win the top prizes if you follow the rules and guidelines. And if you did consume enough Coke to allow yourself a chance to win, you just might DIE! That's right, DIE!"
Spiegel Online, "KAMPAGNE GEGEN BRAUSEGIGANTEN: Studentenvertreter beschließen Coca-Cola-Boykott," June 29, 2006
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"We´re gaining territory. The Student-Parliament of the Cologne-University has decided a boycot on Coca-Cola Co. Products ."
Photos from the 2 June 2006 event against Coca-Cola in Mönchengladbach, Germany during the Germany-Colombia football match some days before the World Cup began.
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The Independent, " 'Environmental insanity' to drink bottled water when it tastes as good from the tap," By Cahal Milmo, June 29, 2006
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The Linewaiters' Gazette, "Environmental Committee Report: Survival for Sale: The Privatization of Water," By David Barouh, June 22, 2006
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Conscience UK, "Conscience Cola," Animated Unofficial History of Coke, By Chris Smith (To see animation, click on graphic below.)
