Killer Coke
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Killer Coke News Archive | 2012


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"EVERYTHING DOES NOT GO BETTER WITH COKE; The Deborah Kropp Story" from Insider Exclusive, first broadcast 2012
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"On July 20, 2007, Deborah Kropp was traveling home from helping her quadriplegic brother as she did every day...A few hundred feet from her Gainesville, Florida home, she slowed down to pull off the road at her rural mailbox, as she did every day. And that's where this tragic Coca Cola story began...Coca-Cola, which was 'under-staffed,' ...according to its own employees...relied on a warehouse worker with a 'less than stellar' driving history and several felony convictions to deliver their product on that fateful day...


" '...the Coca-Cola's truck had a loose toolbox in the passenger compartment...' that 'rocketed onto the truck's accelerator, sending the truck out of control and slamming into the rear passenger side of Deborah's Ford Mustang and it sent her airborne.

"...Coke never apologized, and yet they used unlimited resources to blame the victim, Deborah Kropp...

"...You might think that such an iconic American brand...would stand up and help the people they hurt ...but in this case they failed to do so..."

When asked about her attitude towards Coke, Ms. Kropp said:

"They are UnAmerian!"

"There is no justice when it comes to Coca-Cola."

Here's a horrific accident story from Tanzania that Coke has yet to explain.

But in this story, 10 children were killed.

"Sodastream Ad Yanked in Britain for Angering Coca-Cola and Pepsi" by Melissa Locker, Nov. 28, 2012, TIME Newsfeed
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"The at-home carbonation product Sodastream has made a splash in the UK with their first global advertising campaign before their ads even had a chance to air. British regulatory authorities yanked an ad for the DIY soda maker deeming it to be too disparaging towards soda manufacturers like Coca Cola and Pepsi...

"According to AdAge, Sodastream was told that Clearcast's decision to pull the ad was as follows: 'The majority decided that the ad could be seen to tell people not to go to supermarkets and buy soft drinks, [and] instead help to save the environment by buying a SodaStream.' It was also told that the pitch constituted 'denigration of the bottled-drinks market.' which, according to the Financial Times, was done visually via the exploding bottles of soft drinks."


Watch onYouTube

Radio Paul's Radio Rants
Episode #22, Guest: Ray Rogers
Killer Coke vs. KillerCoke.org
November 26, 2012

Ray Rogers of killercoke.org explains how the Coca Cola Corporation not only has been rotting teeth but human rights. Both in the US and abroad Coke has been involved in some of the most egregious human rights abuses there are. Here is a list of just some of their abuses: Rape, murder, death squads, union busting, labor violations, environmental, racism and discrimination. Listen and hear about what Coke does in your name with the money you use to buy their products and learn what you can do to make real change.


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"CUNY Beverage Deal: Activists Insist that 'Coke Is Not It'" by Sarah Jaffe, The Clarion, October 2012
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"Last June 2012, the CUNY Board of Trustees voted to offer the exclusive right to sell soft drinks, bottled water and other beverages 'to a single manufacturer for the University as a whole.' Proposals will be considered for either cafeteria sales alone, or both cafeteria and vending machine sales together. The trustees pledged that a University-wide vendor will be chosen only if this would lead to 'higher revenues for each of the colleges and the Central Office' than the current system of college-level beverage contracts. Proposals are due November 1, 2012."

The article goes on the explain why Coca-Cola should NOT be the vendor.

Killer Coke

": Cutting Out Soda Curbs Children's Weight Gain, Studies Show" by Alice Park, Sept. 22, 2012, TIME Health & Family
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"Researchers provide the strongest evidence yet that soda and other sugary drinks contribute to the epidemic in children...

"But the new research suggests that limiting children's access to sugary beverages can indeed curb weight gain: one paper found that providing children with water or diet soda as an alternative to full-sugar soft drinks can lead to meaningful drops in children's fat deposits and weight; another showed that drinking a single no-calorie drink a day, instead of a sugary one, slows weight gain, independent of other behaviors like overeating or failing to exercise. A third study finds that for people who are already genetically predisposed to, drinking sugary sodas can make their weight problem worse."

The Campaign to Stop Killer Coke, however, questions the wisdom of drinking diet soda if it contains aspartame. Other studies indicate that diet soda does NOT lead to weight loss and can lead to numerous dangerous health issues.

Killer Coke

"California City Savors Role in Fighting 'Big Soda'" by NORIMITSU ONISHI, November 4, 2012, The New York Times
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"...city leaders are fighting on two fronts, against not only Big Oil but also Big Soda, as they like to call their foes. If voters here approve a proposal on Tuesday's ballot, Richmond will become the first city in the United States to add a tax on businesses that sell soda and other sweetened drinks, although many states already collect taxes on such drinks directly as part of anti- efforts.

"Fierce campaigning has brought in the kind of money rarely seen in a community of 104,000 people. Soda companies have funneled $2.5 million into efforts to defeat the tax, or Measure N, while supporters have raised only $69,000."

Killer Coke

"Video satire skewers Coke's polar bears" by Bruce Horovitz, USA TODAY, Oct. 9, 2012
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"This is the video that Coca-Cola doesn't want you to see.

"Its famous Polar Bears are skewered — as is the whole soft-drink industry — in an anti-sugary-drink video to be released Wednesday. Behind it: Alex Bogusky, the culturally influ
ential ad legend whose former agency, Crispin Porter + Bogusky, has created ads for such hot-button clients as Burger King, Domino's and, yes, Coca-Cola.

"Bogusky left the agency world in disgust two years ago. Now, he's back in a new role: taking on the cola industry along with advocacy group Center for Science in the Public Interest. The move comes at a time big makers of sugary drinks are being challenged by legislators and consumers from New York to California. It's all about winning the viral PR war."

Killer Coke

THE UNHAPPY TRUTH ABOUT SODA

It wasn't so bad when soft drinks were the occasional treat.

But now sugary drinks are the number one source of calories in the American diet.

With one third of America overweight and another third obese, it's a wonder
anyone is still swallowing what the soda companies are selling.

Killer Coke

Watch video, "The Real Bears"

In Spanish

"What's Really in Your Greek Yogurt? 5 Surprising Ways Food Companies Cheat and Mislead Consumers
"Even the most savvy shopper could be persuaded by some of these false claims."
By Lauren Kelley, AlterNet.org

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"Vitaminwater ≠ vitamins + water.

"At first glance, Vitaminwater seems like it'd be somewhat healthy-ish - it comes in unnatural colors, yes, but the name suggests that the product is basically vitamin-infused water. Right? Wrong.

"In fact, Vitaminwater is a whole lot worse for you than water; the grape flavor contains 13 grams of sugar per 8-ounce serving, and lists crystalline glucose (sugar) as the second ingredient. (However, despite widespread claims on the Internet, it is not worse for you than regular soda. Coke contains closer to 30 grams of sugar in every 8 ounces. Natural fruit juices also often contain more sugar than Vitaminwater, though those are, of course, natural sugars.)

"If you ever bought into the Vitaminwater-as-health-drink craze, don't beat yourself up. It would be easy to do with all the misleading claims Vitaminwater's parent company, Glaceau (which is now owned by Coca-Cola), puts out there. The company was recently caught claiming on its UK Web site that Vitaminwater is 'spring water with fruit juice.' The company soon backtracked, acknowledging the 'incorrect description of the brand's ingredients.'

"As the Huffington Post notes, Vitaminwater has also been targeted for falsely claiming that its products can heal the flu, among other things."

"Coca-Cola fighting union battle in Fort Worth" By BARRY SHLACHTER, Fort Worth Star Telegram
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"The Coca-Cola Co. is opening all the spigots to keep the corporate-owned Fort Worth bottling plant from becoming its only unionized facility in the South.

"If a majority of voting employees cast ballots to join Teamsters Local 997 on Wednesday, it could flag an important victory by organized labor over the soft drinks giant. Some 427 workers would be covered...

"Among other things, Coke's pro-union workers are seeking better pay, an end to what they consider favoritism in promotion and shift assignments, lower-cost health plans, better job security, time-and-a-half overtime pay, fewer temporary workers and less outsourcing. They turned to Teamsters Local 997, which represents drivers at Miller-Coors and Bimbo Bakeries."

Killer Coke

Employee Elbert Allen and Teamsters organizer Brendan Hills stand at a plant entrance.
Photo by STAR-TELEGRAM/RODGER MALLISON

"McDonald's and Coca-Cola: An Unhealthy Alliance" by Michele Simon, Treehugger, September 11, 2012
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"This week, the New York City Board of Health is expected to approve Mayor Michael Bloomberg's proposal to limit the size of sugary soft drinks. Motivated by rising diet-related chronic diseases (along with healthcare costs), the mayor's attempt to rein in out of control portion sizes caused quite a media firestorm. Predictably, the soda lobby has come out swinging, complete with an industry front group called, "New Yorkers for Beverage Choices."

"A better name would be, 'Soda Pushers for Continued Profits.'"

Check out the new cartoon from Scartoonees.com depicting the violence against union activists/leaders by Coca-Cola bottlers in Colombia.

"The Union"
By G.P. Rivolta

Visit the website

The Coke 16 & Campaign To Stop Killer Coke "March For Peace"
Download the flyer in .PDF

"The Coke 16 and Campaign To Stop Killer Coke were bringing awareness to the "March For Peace" participants and the Harlem community in Harlem, New York on August 25. Although there were many attempts by Coca-Cola representatives to disrupt our peaceful demonstration, they failed to do so. The march organizers, private security, and the NYPD gave us their full support, and allowed us to exercise our Constitutional right. We were also pleased with the support offered by the Harlem community and march participants who showed us much love. Thank you all."

The Coke 16


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WBAI archives for Wakeup Call Hosted by Esther Armah on WBAI Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at 6 am

A morning news magazine featuring in-depth coverage of local, national and international news, social and cultural issues and events. We bring voices and perspectives that are excluded from mainstream media. While the topics are serious and important, portions of the program are entertaining.

Will Nunez of the Coke 16 interviewed on Wakeup Call

"Coke Work Places Dubbed 'Cesspools of Racial Discrimination'" By Shirley Irons, August 1-18, 2012, Street Hype, (Page 5)
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"Three Jamaicans Evon Douglas, 32, Oral Forbes, 40 and Wayne Morrison, 41, who worked at the Coca-Cola bottling plant in Elmsford, New York are making similar accusations against The Coca-Cola Company as did sixteen Black and Hispanic workers who filed a racial discrimination lawsuit in January.

"The lawsuit alleges that the Coca-Cola plants in Elmsford and in Queens, New York are "Cesspools of racial discrimination." Workers with similar grievances who work at Coke facilities in Smithtown, New York and Carlstadt, New Jersey are also fighting back against the company for horrific injustices done to them because of their color and ethnicity."

Evon Douglas Oral Forbes Wayne Morrison

"American Beverage Association sponsors conference on in minorities?" from FoodPolitics.com, July 13, 2012
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"...a Focus on conference in Washington DC today, organized by The Root as part of its Black, Fit & Healthy initiative.

"The sponsors got my attention...the third is the American Beverage Association (ABA), the trade association for Coke, Pepsi, and other sugary drinks linked to poor diets and overweight among children and adults.

"...as documented by the Rudd Center at Yale, ABA members devote special efforts to marketing their products to Black Americans. Advertising Age notes that the soft drink industry makes no apologies for targeting minorities and considers it "smart marketing.""The Rudd study's findings:

  • Soda ads made up 13% of the ads on black prime time shows, compared with 2% of ads on general prime time shows.
  • Soft drinks were 13.5% of ads with non-whites (almost exclusively blacks) compared with 6.2 percent of ads with whites.
  • Exposure to SSB [sugar-sweetened beverage] ads decreased over time at all ages, but the decrease was less for black than white children.
  • As for outdoor advertising, Black and Latino neighborhoods had the most ads for higher calorie/low-nutrient foods, including sugary beverages...

"Want to take bets on whether any of the speakers suggests cutting down on sodas or 'don't drink your calories'?"

Read the Rudd Center Report

The Coke 16 and Campaign To Stop Killer Coke demonstration at the Dominican Day Parade.


Watch on YouTube

"Bronx Dominican Day Parade" By RVCFOTO, CNN iReport, July 29, 2012
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Killer Coke

Photo from CNN

"Do Sports Drinks Really Work?" By David Tuller, July 30, 2012, Mother Jones
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"The BMJ's package of seven papers on sports performance products packs a collective wallop. The centerpiece is a well-reported investigation of the longstanding financial ties between the makers of Gatorade (PepsiCo), Powerade (Coca-Cola, an official Olympic sponsor), and Lucozaid (GlaxoSmithKline) with sports associations, medical groups, and academic researchers. It should come as no great surprise that the findings and recommendations that have emerged through these affiliations have tended to include alarming warnings about dehydration and electrolyte imbalance--warnings that conveniently promote the financial interests of the corporate sponsors."

"Hugo Chavez tells Venezuelans to drink juice not Coke" by Associated Press, Monday 23 July 2012
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"He [Chavez] says people should buy Uvita, a grape juice made by Corpozulia as a means of increasing the consumption of Venezuelan-made products instead of buying sugary sodas made by foreign companies."

"Coca Cola Booted From Bolivia" from Kochie's Business Builders, July 23, 2012
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"On December 21, 2012 Coca Cola will be officially banned in Bolivia. The announcement comes from Foreign Minister David Choquehuanaca, who stated that his Government is supporting the beginning of a new era free of capitalism and embracing 'the culture of life' and 'community spirit'. "

We received a message from Greenfield Community College notifying us that "all Coke products have been removed from vending machines!!"

The following "Vending Update" was included:

Vending Update:

In response to a request from several of our students to create awareness of global activism, we have entered into a new vending contract that will no longer offer Coke products in vending machines on campus. The new machines will be vending Pepsi and other misc beverage products. My goal is to offer people as many choices as possible and to let staff and students make their own consumer spending decisions. The cafeteria, will however, still offer Coke products. I expect this change to occur within the next couple of weeks.

Food Service Update:

In order to maintain our contracted food service subsidy level with Fitzvogt, we are allowing them to implement a small price increase throughout their cafeteria and catering program. Ryan and I have reviewed the price increases and feel they are modest and reasonable based on the food cost increase to them from their suppliers. These price increases will go into effect sometime next week. As soon as the catering menu's are updated, we will let you know and make them available online.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

-Karen

Karen Phillips
Comptroller
Greenfield Community College

"The Movement to Ban McDonald's, Coca-Cola From the London Olympics" by Jak Phillips, Time Moneyland , July 5, 2012
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"Junk food giants McDonald's and Coca-Cola could find themselves left at the starting blocks after the London Assembly voted to call for a ban on Olympic sponsors that produce high calorie food and beverages.

"Just over a month before London hosts the 2012 Olympics, the powerful elected body passed a motion urging the International Olympic Committee to adopt strict sponsorship criteria in a bid to outlaw advertising of products linked to child ."

Killer Coke

"As a cancer scare erupts over a chemical in the fizzy drink ... just how safe is a can of Coke?" by DAVID DERBYSHIRE, Daily Mail, June 28, 2012
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"The chemical — 4-methylimidazole (4-MI) — helps to give the drink its colour, but is listed by Californian health officials as a potential carcinogen...

"But the changes to the recipes have raised the inevitable question: just how safe are the ingredients that go into every can of cola? And what does that brown stuff really do to our insides?

"And just because you drink sugar-free, diet cola, don't think you're off the hook. For there is a growing body of research which suggests that low-calorie and sugar-free drinks are bad for us, too. Studies have shown that people who have at least one low-calorie fizzy drink a day are at greater risk of and type 2 diabetes. And some experts also believe that sugar-free drinks confuse the brain, leaving it unable to distinguish between sweeteners, such as aspartame and saccharine, and regular sugar. In that case, a person may be tricked into overeating, as the brain can no longer calculate the body's calorific intake. So while diet colas may make you feel virtuous, they could be doing you more harm than good."

Yvette Butler, Ramon Hernandez and Ray Rogers were interviewed live on a segment of "Building Bridges" (WBAI, 99.5 fm) on June 25 with hosts Ken Nash and Mimi Rosenberg.

Killer Coke

Listen to Interview on WBAI

"SodaStream Takes Marketing Tactic To Coca-Cola's Hometown" by Duane D. Stanford, Jun 20, 2012, Bloomberg.com
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"SodaStream (SODA) International Ltd. already told Coca-Cola (KO) Co. it wouldn't stop using Coke bottles in its marketing. Now SodaStream is taking the fight to the company's front door — or at least the park across the street from Coke's World of Coca-Cola museum in Atlanta...

"On June 22, SodaStream, which sells do-it-yourself soft- drink machines, plans to erect a car-sized cage at Centennial Olympic Park, filled with thousands of used soft-drink bottles and cans. The point: Buying packaged drinks clogs up landfills, while making soda at home helps save the planet.

"A similar display at a South Africa airport has drawn threats of a lawsuit by Coca-Cola, the world's largest beverage maker with a market value of about $170 billion, 228 times larger than SodaStream. The upstart uses 30 such displays around the globe to take issue with the waste created by big soda companies.

" 'No one's going to shut us up with a lawyer's letter,' SodaStream Chief Executive Officer Daniel Birnbaum said today in a telephone interview. 'Not in South Africa or anywhere.' "

"Acorralan a Coca Cola" by Alberto Barranco, El Universal, June 7, 2012
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"La sorpresa llegó hace unos dias a la asamblea de accionistas de Coca Cola Company, la matriz mundial de las firmas productoras de la bebida gaseosa, cuando uno de los accionistas Ie preguntó a quemarropa a su presidente, Muhtar Kent, sobre la existencia de una serie de demandas en México, que a su juicio podrian provocarle daiios por mil millones de dólares...

"Coca Cola, pues, está en el callejón."

Translation:

"Coca-Cola on the Ropes" by Alberto Barranco, El Universal, June 7, 2012
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"The surprise came a few days ago at The Coca-Cola Company's annual shareholders meeting, the world headquarters of the company producing the carbonated soft drink, when one of the shareholders [Ray Rogers] asked CEO Muhtar Kent point blank about the existence of a series of demands in Mexico, which he believes could cost the company a billion dollars.

"Kent denied the allegations...

"The truth is that the Chief Executive Officer of Coca Cola lied...

"The problem for the company is in the investigation triggered by the persistence of this former marketing executive [Angel Alvarado], once commissioned in Costa Rica, causing this investigation by the Tax Administration System for alleged tax evasion...

"Coca-Cola, then, has no way out."

"Former Coke exec slams marketing by soda makers" by N.C. Aizenman, The Washington Post, June 10, 2012
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"On Thursday, he [Todd Putman] came to settle it. He wanted to give an inside account of what he contends has been a drive by Coca-Cola to replace not just its direct competitors but all beverages in the American diet - a campaign for what the company called 'share of stomach.' He wanted to warn about the industry's focus on young people and minorities...

"Today that work is one of Putman's greatest regrets. Statistics consistently show that the incidence of is highest among minorities. The higher price and relative scarcity of many healthier alternatives to soda in low-income communities - as well as the lack of marketing to promote those that are available - effectively mean that low income minorities have fewer choices, Putman said. 'The game is rigged by the power of the soft drink industry and how much money they put against all the competition in that space...'

"Company research indicated that brand loyalty starts young, and once formed it is hard to break. 'I would say 90 percent of all soft drink marketing is targeted at 12- to 24-year-olds. ... It was how we spent all of our time.' "

Todd Putman

Yvette Butler and Guillermo (Will) Nunez speak about "The Coke 16" on WBAI's City Watch, interviewed by Bill DiFazio, June 9, 2012
Listen to Interview

"Soda companies on the outside of Parks Department sponsor rights bidding" by DAVID SEIFMAN, NY Post, June 9, 2012
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"Coke isn't it for the Parks Department. The city parks agency yesterday began soliciting bids for sponsor rights to 631 basketball courts and 55 dog runs in hopes of pulling in at least $5 million a year for its operations.

"Producers of sugar-laden soft drinks like Coca-Cola aren't prohibited from bidding. But they're not being encouraged, either.

" 'Companies should be aware the city would be unlikely to do something in conflict with the public interest,' said Julie Wood, a spokeswoman for Mayor Bloomberg."

Killer Coke Killer Coke

Ramon Hernandez and Will Nunez of The Coke 16 on The News Dissector Radio Show with Danny Schechter May 25, 2012

This interview of Ramon Hernandez and Will Nunez of The Coke 16 is with Danny Schechter, The News Dissector. Danny is an Emmy award-winning journalist, television producer, independent filmmaker and veteran radio personality. His latest film is "Plunder: The Crime of Our Time," which is about the "unreported story of the economic crisis, which continues to haunt millions of Americans." For further information on Danny's illustrious career, go to: PRN.fm Danny Schechter

The radio interview was to originally include David Alvarez and Luis Morales, but they were unable to participate because they recently found employment outside of Coca-Cola.


View on YouTube

"15 Minutes of Fact: On the Docket - Worker's Economic and Social Rights that Require OWS Attention" Hosted by Jerry Ashton, May 16, 2012

Killer Coke

Interview with Coke 16's Sandra Walker
(Click on the podcast to hear interview.)

"Sandra Walker was one of 16 workers at two separate Coca-Cola plants who filed a lawsuit in January, 2012. The New York Daily News dubbed them the 'Coca-Cola 16' for this effort. (Sandra had previously filed an EEOC complaint on 11/23/11 against America's Iconic company)."

Killer Coke

Dianne Mathiowetz interviews Ramon Hernandez and Guillermo (Will) Nunez of The Coke 16 May 8, 2012 .

(Listen on YouTube)

Coca-Cola-Racism.com
See website: Coca-Cola-Racism.com

"People are suffering because of many things that you've allowed in the work place.

"Some are now fired and feeling helpless with no job, we feel betrayed, left with nothing but families who depend on us.
Coca-Cola says Putting People first, but Coke puts money first! We are People, We are Parents, We are Coke16 the new
generation."

"China shuts down Coke plant over chlorine pollution," May 1, 2012, Taipei Times
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"Authorities in northern China have ordered a Coca-Cola bottling plant shut after finding its products were contaminated by chlorine, according to a government statement."

"18-litre-a-day Coke habit left mum bedridden, 100kgs heavier," April 30, 2012, Sydney Morning Herald
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"Pauline Wyatt ended her Coca-Cola addiction by pouring all 30 bottles she had in her house down the sink...

"Mrs Wyatt's weight shot up more than 100kg in three years, tipping the scales at 198kg at her heaviest.

"She says the wake-up call came one day while drinking a glass of Coke. She felt pain shooting up her arm and through the back of her shoulder. She drove hospital for a check-up. 'I thought I was having a heart attack, but it wasn't — it was just a scare.' "

Campaign to Stop Killer Coke Director Ray Rogers confronting Coke Chairman and CEO Muhtar Kent's lies at Coke's April 25, 2012 annual meeting.


"Coca-Cola recommends stock split" by Leon Stafford, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, April 25, 2012
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"As is tradition, the atmosphere was equal parts pep rally for the beverage giant's supporters and a protest for its detractors. Protesters shouted a choreographed 'Point of order. You lie!' at least have [half] a dozen times as Kent made remarks about everything from the company's commitment to diversity (it's currently embroiled in a discrimination lawsuit in New York) or accusations of worker intimidation in Mexico."

Killer Coke Killer Coke Killer Coke

"The Two Faces Of Coca Cola" by Tim Franzen, American Friends Service Committee, April 25, 2012
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"Although Coke spends millions of dollars every year on advertising to market their products with a positive and happy spin, a quick look inside their business practices shows that that like so many corporations, profits take precedence over ethics, morality, and justice.

"Coca Cola's crimes reach all the way across the globe. In Latin America, they have been accused of hiring paramilitary forces to torture, intimidate, and even murder union organizers in countries like Columbia and Guatemala. They profit off of child labor used in the sugar cane fields of El Salvador. In Mexico, they use their bought off pals in the government to control the market, making competition against Coke virtually non-existent. In a country where almost every citizen has access to Coca Cola products, over 12 million people in Mexico don't have access to clean water. In India, their plants contaminate and dry up the water sources, devastating farmers, towns, and the people that live in them. In China they've been known to have deplorable working conditions in their factories, and benefit off of prison labor. The list goes on and on."

"Coke drinking linked to woman's death, inquest told" by TVNZ, April 20, 2012
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"Otago-Southland coroner David Crerar did not make any preliminary findings after yesterday's inquest, however pathologist Dan Mornin said he believed Harris died of cardiac arrhythmia and it was likely she was suffering from hypokalemia (low potassium) along with caffeine toxicity, which could have contributed to her death.

"When asked by Crerar whether it was probable her consumption of Coca-Cola had caused the hypokalemia and arrhythmia, Dr Mornin said yes, along with poor nutrition and caffeine."

"Coca Cola can kill? Experts say dead New Zealand woman drank too much" by Christine Savoia, NewJerseyNewsroom.com, April 22, 2012
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"Addiction may have contributed to the tragic death of 30-year-old New Zealand mother Natasha Harris. While her partner reports that Harris did smoke about 30 cigarettes a day, experts are saying a different kind of addiction may be to blame - one involving Coca Cola.

"'She was addicted to Coke,' her partner Chris Hodgkinson said, according to the Associated Press, referring not to the drug, but the drink. 'The first thing she would do in the morning was have a drink of Coke and the last thing she would do in the day was have a drink of Coke by her bed.'"

"Occupy Atlanta Joins Forces With The Campaign To Stop Killer Coke" by sbashiri April 4, 2012
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"BREAKING: Progressive Movement Compels Coca-Cola To Pull Support From ALEC Over Voter Suppression Efforts" by Faiz Shakir on Apr 4, 2012
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"Prompted by a petition campaign by the progressive advocacy group Color of Change, Coca-Cola has pulled its support from ALEC, a right-wing corporate-funded front group which has been pushing voter restriction efforts around the country..."

In addition a boycott threat by Color of Change and the Democratic Party, the Campaign to Stop Killer Coke jumped on this issue and published two articles on ALEC and Coke's relationship in our November 14, 2011 newsletter, which was sent out to tens of thousands of subscribers, including labor unions.

"ALEC and Coca-Cola: A "Classic" Collaboration" from PRWatch, Submitted by Rebekah Wilce on October 12, 2011
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"Inside the ALEC Dating Service" By Mark Pocan, The Progressive, October 2011
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Pepsi also disassociated itself from ALEC. Pepsi's move, which actually came in January but was first reported this morning by NPR, may also have had a role in compelling Coca-Cola to drop its support for ALEC."

Mark Fiore's animated cartoon about ALEC and its connection to the Stand Your Ground laws. Notice Coca-Cola is one of those corporations supporting ALEC:

Killer Coke

"Shoot-em-up Charlie Discovers ALEC"
Watch on YouTube

This article shows further that Coca-Cola has connections to ALEC and is not only responsible for atrocities outside the U.S., but they have to share the responsibility for the killing of Trayvon Martin and the attempt to take the vote away from minorities, seniors and students in the U.S.

"What is Coca-Cola doing behind closed doors with Koch Industries and other multinational corporations in the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)? Coca-Cola Refreshments' Director of Public Affairs and Communications, Gene Rackley, represents Coke on ALEC's "Private Enterprise" Board, along with Koch Industries' Michael Morgan.":

"Lobbyists, Guns and Money" by PAUL KRUGMAN, The New York Times, March 25, 2012
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"Now, ALEC isn't single-handedly responsible for the corporatization of our political life; its influence is as much a symptom as a cause. But shining a light on ALEC and its supporters — a roster that includes many companies, from AT&T and Coca-Cola to UPS, that have so far managed to avoid being publicly associated with the hard-right agenda — is one good way to highlight what's going on. And that kind of knowledge is what we need to start taking our country back."

Killer Coke

Credit: Created by Elodie Mra, Brazil 

"ALEC and Coca-Cola: A 'Classic' Collaboration" | Center for Media and Democracy, www.prwatch.org
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"Coke's not it: 16 workers sue, call giant 'cesspool' of racial discrimination
"Say they were given lesser assignments, unfairly disciplined and retaliated against for complaining"
By John Marzulli / New York Daily News, Friday, March 16, 2012

Read Article

Sixteen black and Hispanic production workers are suing Coca-Cola, claiming they have been forced to work in a " cesspool of racial discrimination."

The suit, filed in Brooklyn Federal Court, accuses the company of relegating minorities to less favorable assignments, unfair disciplinary action and retaliation for complaining.

"Coca-Cola circles its wagons and calls (the plaintiffs) 'nuts' and 'ingrates,' " said their lawyer, Steven Morelli.

Several plaintiffs say they were subjected to racial epithets, and the people who used them went unpunished, according to the complaint.

The suits are centered on two production plants — one in Maspeth, Queens, and another in Elmsford in Westchester.

Sondra Walker said that when she was hired as a merchandiser at the Maspeth plant, she felt like she "had hit Lotto" because Coca Cola is such a prestigious company.

"I've never been called so many names as I have been at Coca-Cola," Walker told the Daily News, citing "Nappy Head" and "Aunt JaMamma" as examples.

Walker describes in the complaint an incident when a white worker wore a Confederate flag on his head and another in which a white employee complaining about cleaning a sewer allegedly said: "What am I, a n----- or something?"

"I thought this was a fair and honest company, as American as apple pie," said plaintiff Guillermo Nunez, who says he has suffered emotionally because of the treatment. "I thought I had made it. It was my American Dream."

Coca-Cola spokesman Toney Anaya said the company does not tolerate discrimination in the workplace.

"We take this matter seriously and are investigating the allegations," Anaya said in a statement.

Let's not forget that Coke also had to pay out a $192.5 million settlement for racial discrimination back in 2001.

It should also be noted that in 2010 Coke had to pay $495K in back wages, plus interest, to 95 black and hispanic job-seekers after a federal investigation showed a hiring bias against minority workers. As with this case, Coke denied any wrongdoing.

"Coca-Cola to pay $495K on discrimination claims" By theGrio, 10/08/2010
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"The second-largest bottler of Coca-Cola products in the U.S. will pay $495,000 to settle a federal case involving charges of racially discriminatory hiring practices.

"The Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated, a Charlotte-based firm that is separate from the Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Company, will pay the money in back wages plus interest to 95 black and Hispanic job-seekers who applied for sales positions in 2002, according to the U.S.Department of Labor."

"Aspartame's neurological side effects include blurred vision, headaches, seizures and more" by: Aurora Geib, Natural News, March 14, 2012
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"The Rumsfeld Plague: Aspartame Brings Horror (Opinion)" by: Hesh Goldstein, Natural News, August 15, 2009
Read Article

At each Coca-Cola annual shareholders' meeting, shareholders and proxies have brought up the health dangers of Coke products, including high fructose corn syrup and the massive use of sugar and artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, phosphoric acid, caramel coloring, and cans lined with Bisphenol A (BPA), as well as labor, human rights and environmental abuses.

At each meeting the Chair and CEO denies these allegations. Taking the lead from her boss, Diana Garza-Ciarlante denies any risk, "[Coke products] would not be subject to the requirement of a scientifically unfounded warning."

Coke continues denying, but is taking this step only to avoid placing a cancer warning on its cans and bottles.

"Coke and Pepsi alter recipe to avoid cancer warning," BBC News, March 9, 2012
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"Coca-Cola and Pepsi are changing the recipes for their drinks to avoid being legally obliged to put a cancer warning label on the bottle

"The new recipe for caramel colouring in the drinks has less 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI) - a chemical which California has added to its list of carcinogens...

"Coca-Cola says there is no health risk to justify the change.

"Spokeswoman Diana Garza-Ciarlante told the Associated Press news agency they wanted to ensure their products 'would not be subject to the requirement of a scientifically unfounded warning.' "

"Research Finds Cancerous Chemical in Coca-Cola" by Aabha Rathee, Wall Street Cheat Sheet, March 6, 2012
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"A watchdog group on Monday petitioned the Food and Drug Administration to ban a carcinogenic coloring compound found in most colas even as regulators insisted the threat was overstated.

"A research study conducted by the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Science in the Public Interest found traces of the chemical 4-methylimidazole in samples of various sodas belonging to Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group and Whole Foods. The chemical, found in the caramel coloring agent used in the drinks, is a known carcinogenic with effects noted in rodents."

"Consumer group finds cancer-causing chemical in colas" by Eryn Brown, Los Angeles Times, March 5, 2012
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"In a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the consumer watchdog group Center for Science in the Public Interest called on officials to ban the use of caramel coloring in popular soft drinks, citing a possible cancer risk.

"This isn't the first time that CSPI has targeted the food additive that gives colas, including Coke and Pepsi, their familiar brown color. The organization first petitioned the FDA on the matter in 2011, noting that 2-methylimidazole and 4-methylimidazole, which form when sugar is mixed with ammonia and sulfites to create caramel coloring, had been shown to cause lung, liver and thyroid cancer in mice and rats."

"Ex-Coca-Cola Enterprises VP charged with insider trading" by Leon Stafford, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, March 8, 2012
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"Steven Harrold, a former Coca-Cola Enterprises vice president, has been charged with insider trading by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

"Harrold is accused of buying company stock using his wife's brokerage account after learning that CCE had agreed to acquire Coca-Cola's bottling operations in Norway and Sweden in February 2010. The charges said he made $86,850 the next day when the deal was announced publicly and the stock price increased 30 percent."

"If Coca-Cola Doesn't Market to Kids, Why do They Sell Toys?" by Weighty Matter, March 6, 2012
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"Looking at Amazon.com's online Toys and Games category there are 719 different Coca-Cola branded toys, including dolls with packaging that clearly states they're for kids aged 3+, 100 piece puzzles aimed at the more sophisticated 5+ crowd, Barbies, stuffed animals, toy cars and more....

"...what's shameful is what seems, at least on the surface, as a bald faced lie that Coca-Cola doesn't specifically hold children squarely in their marketing cross hairs."

"Coca-Cola keeps Italian orange suppliers after protests" by Massimiliano Di Giorgio, Reuters, March 6, 2012
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"Coca-Cola gave in to pressure from Italian orange producers and said on Tuesday it would continue buying from local suppliers to produce its Fanta soda in spite of a report denouncing the tough work conditions of immigrant fruit pickers.

"The move by the U.S. soft-drink giant came after a report in British magazine The Ecologist last month shone a light on the situation of immigrant workers in the southern Calabria town of Rosarno, the scene of racial clashes two years ago...

"Some 8,000 illegal immigrants work in the southern Calabria region, which was the scene of the worst episode of racial unrest in Italy in years in early 2010. Most come from Africa and work as day labourers picking fruit and vegetables.

"Many of them live in abandoned factories with no running water or electricity and human rights groups say they are exploited by organised crime.

"Competition from other global producers of oranges such as Mexico, Brazil or the United States is also pressuring local farmers, keeping local wages as low as 25 euros ($33) a day, Alberto Callello, a local farmer, told The Ecologist.

" 'I get 7 cents per kilo for industrial oranges (used for concentrates) but need 8 cents per kilo to pay workers, so there is a paradox,' he said, according to the magazine. 'At the end of the chain is a clash with poor people.' "

It seems that Coca-Cola pays so little for the oranges that go into Fanta, that wages remain very low. Coke has to be pressured to raise the price they pay for oranges by a few pennies a kilo.

"Don't Drink Coke," Party People, Subtitles in English & Spanish by Alan Lucero (Argentina)


"News investigation Coca Cola challenged over orange harvest linked to 'exploitation and squalor'" by Andrew Wasley, February 24, 2012
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"The manufacturer of Fanta [a Coke product] is being urged to help address the poor conditions and low wages endured by some African migrant workers harvesting oranges in southern Italy." (Video accompanies article)

March 2012 Newsletter, Interfaith Council for Peace & Justice
Read Article in .PDF

"Victories and Losses in the Killer Coke campaign" by Jeff Smith (GRIID) FEBRUARY 22, 2012
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"Over the past decade there has been an international campaign to hold the Coca Cola Company accountable for its complicity in the murder of union organizers in Colombia.

"This campaign has included unions from all around the world, student groups, environmentalists and religious groups, all of which opposed Coca Cola's dismal human rights and environmental record.

"There have been some recent victories that are worth mentioning in this campaign..."

The article about the Campaign to Stop Killer Coke can be found on page 3 of the newsletter.

"Pepsi and Coca Cola accused of consumer 'fraud'" by Shane McGinley, ArabianBusiness.com, February 20, 2012
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"US drinks giants Pepsi and Coca Cola have been accused by UAE consumer protection authorities of "unacceptable fraud" by reducing the size of their cans without reducing the price and are to have some of their products removed from shelves in the emirates."

Parodies of Coca-Cola's Shameless 2007 Super Bowl Black History Ads

On Thursday, February 1, 2007, a few days preceding the Super Bowl in which two Black coaches were opposing each other, an ad appeared in The New York Times . The ad highlighted the evolution of Coke's Contour Bottle and major events in Black History, including:

  • Chicago, 1893: Black doctor performs first successful heart operation;
  • Harlem, 1920s: An American Renaissance;
  • Brooklyn, 1947: Baseball shows us courage; it's #42

Members of our Campaign saw this as a hypocritical ad and we created a factual parody seen below:

We are re-posting this since the Super Bowl will be played on Sunday, February 5, 2012

Killer Coke

The descriptions in this written-ad parody for the most part, came from The Polaris Institute's report "Inside the Real Thing: Corporate profile on Coca-Cola Corporation."

For more information about Coke's record of racial discrimination, go to "Inside the Real Thing: Corporate profile on Coca-Cola Corporation," Report by the Polaris Institute (page 40 of the document; page 42 of the file): Read Report

At the same time, QuietLibrary.com had the same reaction to an animated ad that Coke did on Black History: "Coca-Cola Black History Timeline" during the Super Bowl and Quiet Library created their own parody, which they posted on YouTube.com:

The Yale Daily News published an article on February 7 describing student reaction to the ad during the Super Bowl: "The groans in the room were nearly unanimous...one commercial was notable for a different reason. This one, the 'Coca-Cola Black History Timeline,' was more than inappropriate - it was disrespectful and misleading."

"UVM will end Coca-Cola contract, ban sale of bottled water" by Free Press Staff, January 31, 2012, Burlington Free Press
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‎"The end of UVM's exclusive arrangement with a major bottler comes after years of lobbying by students, who have waged campaigns urging a bottled-water ban and criticizing the Coca-Cola Corp. The 10-year contract with Coca-Cola of Northern New England permitted the company to provide all beverages in vending machines and 80 percent of the bottled drinks served in residence halls and other venues, for a total of about 1.1 million bottles annually, UVM said.

"Beginning July 1, UVM said in an announcement, Sodexo — the company that operates UVM dining services — will chose a mix of beverages through its national contracts and local connections, as will the UVM Bookstore and the CAT Pause store in the Davis Center."

"Pepsi replaces Coca-Cola at Gwinnett Arena" by Christopher Seward, January 11, 2012, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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In April 2009 and April 2010, The Coca-Cola Co. held its annual shareholders meetings at the luxurious Gwinnett Center's Grand Ballroom in Duluth, Georgia, about 27 miles north of Atlanta. At each meeting, our Campaign had a strong presence; We were treated with respect by local police, staff and others as our Stop Killer Coke huge mobile billboard made its rounds throughout the Center's parking lot and surrounding area. This is a big deal — Pepsi has scored a major coup in Coca-Cola's backyard.

"In a coup for Pepsi, the soft drink company has grabbed pouring rights from Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Co. at the Gwinnett Center."

Killer Coke

"Super-size shock: Ad campaign links soda intake with amputations; Portions have grown, and so has Type 2 diabetes, which can lead to amputations"by Reuven Blau and Kevin Deutsch, New York Daily News, January 10, 2012
Read Article

"Those super-sized sodas you're drinking could lead to an amputation, a shocking ad campaign launched by the Health Department warns...

"Nearly 57 of New Yorkers are overweight or obese and about 10 have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, the Health Department said"

Killer Coke

The city Health Department’s controversial new ad campaign targets super-sized portions, showing an obese man who lost his right leg through amputation because of Type 2 diabetes.

"Swaziland: Critics Want Coke d'etat in the Country" by Simon Allison, 10 January 2012, Daily Maverick
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"Poor old Coca-Cola. The world's favourite drink can't do much right these days. If it's not responsible for America's epidemic, then it's causing children's teeth to rot. Or using up all of India's water while stealing Nigerian jobs. But this latest accusation goes even further, claiming Coke is responsible for propping up the authoritarian regime of an entire country - and it refuses to do anything about it."

"Coca-Cola accused of propping up notorious Swaziland dictator; Swaziland's King Mswati III accused by activists of human rights abuses and of looting national wealth", by David Smith, The Guardian, Monday 2 January 2012
Read Article

Killer Coke

Swaziland's king, Mswati III, pictured with some of his 13 wives.
Photograph: AP

"Mary Pais Da Silva, co-ordinator of the Swaziland Democracy Campaign, called for Coca-Cola to pull out of the country immediately.

" 'Coca-Cola must know they're doing business with the wrong people,' she said. 'At the end of the day it doesn't benefit the economy in any way. Their profits don't help the average Swazi, while the king is getting richer by the day.' She added: 'The king is milking the country. This is entrenching him more and more, giving him economic strength to crush opposition. Nobody should do business with the regime in Swaziland. They should cut ties and take their business elsewhere.' "

When are these two candidates going to start elaborating, Maria Diaz?