Killer Coke
A Never-ending Story of Exploitation, Greed, Lies, Cover-ups and Complicity in Kidnapping, Torture, Murder and other Gross Human Rights Abuses

Killer Coke Update | February 13, 2006


Campaign Spreads on Campuses, in Labor and Internationally

Contents of the Newsletter

  1. International Brotherhood of Teamsters Demand Coke "protect the rights and safety of workers" in Colombia and the U.S.
  2. UK Students Work to Ban Coke at More than 200 Colleges & Universities
  3. Protest Coke's Sponsorship of National Assn of Hispanic Journalists Event-Thursday, Feb. 16th.
  4. Corporate Power in the Ivory Tower Event and the Anti-Coke Road Show Kickoff in Canada
  5. Frontline World (PBS), "Colombia: The Coca-Cola Controversy: Soft drink company accused of complicity in murder of union leaders," By Rob Harris and Tovin Lapan
  6. Super Furry Animals Rock Group Says "No" to Coke
  7. Justice-Seeking Italians Shake Up Turino Winter Olympics & Coke
  8. Colombian Community NYC Flocks to Forum Highlighting Coke's Abuses
  9. College/University Roundup
  10. Do you need a customized Campaign leaflet?
  11. Main Menu Enlarged
  12. Campaign's 'Campus Activism' Section
  13. Take Actions Against Coke!
  14. Please send photos, reports of events, etc. for the Campaign website

1. International Brotherhood of Teamsters Demand Coke "protect the rights and safety of workers" in Colombia and the U.S.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which represents 15,000 Coca-Cola workers, is demanding that Coke protect the rights and safety of workers in Colombia and stop harassment, intimidation, discrimination and retaliation at Coca-Cola Enterprises facilities in the U.S.

PR Newswire, "Teamsters Demand Action from Coca-Cola on Global Rights Standards: Resolution Calls for Mediated Settlement," February 7, 2006
Read Article

"Our union brothers and sisters at Coca-Cola bottling facilities in Colombia have been threatened, kidnapped, tortured and murdered," said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President. "It's long past time for Coca-Cola to negotiate a global human rights agreement that will protect the rights and safety of workers who produce, package and distribute Coca-Cola products."

"Conference Director and Teamster International Vice President, Jack Cipriani, said Coca-Cola's labor abuses in the United States include harassment, intimidation, discrimination and retaliation at CCE facilities as well as at Odwalla and Minute Maid operations - both wholly owned by The Coca-Cola Co." Coca-Cola Enterprises is Coca-Cola's largest bottler headquartered in Atlanta, The Coca-Cola Co. owns about 40% of CCE's common stock and has several of its top executives on the board of CCE.
Press Release from Teamsters

2. UK Students Work to Ban Coke at More than 200 Colleges & Universities
On March 28-30, the National Union of Students (NUS) delegates will vote at its national conference on whether to renew their contracts with Coke which expire in July 2006 covering more than 200 colleges and universities. The loss of these contracts could end up costing Coca-Cola hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenues and profits.

Campaign to Stop Killer Coke Director Ray Rogers will be meeting and addressing various student and labor groups in the UK during the week of February 13. The Campaign to Stop Killer Coke recognizes that the UK Students Against Coke have a rare opportunity and the power to address one of the worst cases of corporate injustice on a global scale and to take an action that will help lead to a speedy and just resolution. The NUS and its purchasing consortium, the National Union of Students Services Limited, must recognize that so-called "Constructive Engagement" at this stage is another way of letting Coke off the hook and maintaining the status quo. To be effective, Coca-Cola must know that they will lose their contracts when they expire in July.

NUS is a confederation of local student representative organizations in colleges and universities throughout the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. NUS has nearly 750 constituent members — virtually every college and university in the country. NUS is one of the largest student organizations in the world and represents the interests of 5 million students in further and higher education throughout the United Kingdom.

UK Students Against Coke:
UKSAC's new website

NUS/NUSSL
Information on the movement to pressure NUSSL not to renew their contracts with Coke ending July 2006 covering more than 200 UK campuses.

Forum: Transnational Resistance to Neoliberal Globalisation:
Students Against Coke!

6 pm Wednesday 15th February
G2 Lecture Theatre, Main Building, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), Thornhaugh Street, London WC1 (nearest tube Russell Square)
Chair: Dr. Sara Motta
Speaker: Ray Rogers, Director, Campaign to Stop Killer Coke
plus Students in UK Students Against Coke, and
Andy Higginbottom, Colombia Solidarity Campaign

Organised by SOAS Student Union and the Colombia Solidarity Campaign

For further info: contact Claire Hall at 0798 595 1169; Bertie at 0779 328 2357; or Andy Higginbottom at 07743743041
See Leaflet for Forum

3. Protest Coke's Sponsorship of National Assn of Hispanic Journalists Event-Thursday, Feb. 16th.
On Thursday, Feb. 16, the 17th Annual Scholarship Banquet of the National Assn. of Hispanic Journalists will take place at the Gotham Hall in New York City, 1356 Broadway, between 36th & 37th Streets, at 6:30 pm. One of the major sponsors of the event is The Coca-Cola Co. Anthony Romero, Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union will be the keynote speaker; read letter the Campaign sent him. Join us in distributing our Campaign flyers to the journalists entering the banquet at 5:45 pm at 37th St. and Broadway. If interested, call Lew at 718-852-2808 or 917-693-1442. Isn't it ironic that the NAHJ allows Coke to sponsor its events when it's so abusive to workers and communities in Latin America?

4. McMaster College's Corporate Power in the Ivory Tower Event and the Anti-Coke Road Show Kickoff in Canada
The Working Students' Centre of Ryerson University in Canada presents a follow-up to the McMaster Choice conference called, "The Anti-Coke Roadshow: Sometimes Making Money Costs Too Much."

The Anti-Coke Roadshow: Sometimes Making Money Costs Too Much
Wednesday, Feb. 15th @ 6-8pm
Ryerson University, POD60 Jorgensen Hall

For more information please contact workingstudents@rsuonline.ca

See press release below for more info on the McMaster event and the rest of the tour.

Media advisory — Corporate Power in the Ivory Tower and the Anti-Coke Road Show

HAMILTON, ON, Feb. 11 /CNW/ — On February 13th 2006 at 7:30 pm, McMaster Campus Choice is proud to be hosting Camilo Romero of United Students Against Sweatshops (New York) to give testimony to alleged crimes by the Coca-Cola corporation in Colombia, for a public speech and panel discussion to be held on campus. This event is being held in conjunction with a Campus Choice conference being held earlier in the day, Corporate Power in the Ivory Tower, which will be addressing the increasing influence of corporations in post-secondary and secondary schools. The conference will have over 100 people participating from schools all over North America, as well as representatives from various NGOs and unions.

Conference: Corporate Power in the Ivory Tower

TIME: Febraury 13, 12:30 pm
LOCATION: McMaster University, Gilmore Hall Council Chambers 111
SPEAKERS: Kenneth Saltman, Visiting Graduate Professor to McMaster
Camilo Romero, National Organizer for Outreach USAS
Andrea Harden, Polaris Institute
Dylan Penner, ACT for the Earth
Iliam Burbano, Colombian Action Solidarity Alliance (CASA)
Michelle Peek, McMaster Campus Choice Chair

In October of 2005, Campus Choice spearheaded a student referendum in which McMaster undergraduate students voted overwhelmingly to oppose the exclusive contract that McMaster University has with Coca-Cola Ltd. because of their alleged actions in Colombia and the corporation's perceived negative influence on campus.

A speaking tour titled the Anti-Coke Road Show will make its way across Ontario to the University of Waterloo, the University of Western Ontario, Ryerson University, Queen's University and Carleton University.

Campus Choice gladly welcomes the presence of all press to both the conference and speaking tour to follow. If you plan to attend or wish to have interviews with Camilo, members of Campus Choice, or any of the other participants please contact us at 416-606-8501 (cell) or campuschoice@gmail.com.

Speaking Tour: The Anti-Coke Road Show

LOCATION: McMaster University, MDCL 1305/1307
TIME: February 13, 7:30 pm

SPEAKERS:
Camilo Romero, National Organizer for Outreach USAS
Panelists:
Andrea Harden, Polaris Institute
Dylan Penner, ACT for the Earth
Iliam Burbano, Colombian Action Solidarity Alliance (CASA)
Michelle Peek, McMaster Campus Choice Chair
Kenneth Saltman, Visiting Graduate Professor to McMaster

LOCATION: University of Waterloo, Student Life Centre
TIME: February 14, 2:00 pm

SPEAKERS:
Camilo Romero, National Organizer for Outreach USAS
Michelle Peek, McMaster Campus Choice Chair

LOCATION: University of Western Ontario, King's College
TIME: February 14, 7:00 pm

SPEAKERS:
Camilo Romero, National Organizer for Outreach USAS
Michelle Peek, McMaster Campus Choice Chair

LOCATION: Ryerson University, POD 60, Jorgenson Hall
TIME: February 15, 6:00 pm

SPEAKERS:
Camilo Romero, National Organizer for Outreach USAS
Dylan Penner, ACT for the Earth
Iliam Burbano, Colombian Action Solidarity Alliance (CASA)
Michelle Peek, McMaster Campus Choice Chair

LOCATION: Queen's University (Room TBA)
TIME: February 16, evening event

SPEAKERS:
Camilo Romero, National Organizer for Outreach USAS
Karl Flecker, Polaris Institute
Michelle Peek, McMaster Campus Choice Chair

LOCATION: Carleton University, 215 Tory Building
TIME: February 17, 2:00 pm

SPEAKERS:
Camilo Romero, National Organizer for Outreach USAS
Karl Flecker, Polaris Institute
Michelle Peek, McMaster Campus Choice Chair

Campus Choice is a group comprised of Canadian students (from various Ontario universities) and allies who are concerned with exploring and actively challenging the corrosive effects of corporatization in public post-secondary education.

We feel that it is our duty to the local and global community to demand — on behalf of the students, staff, and faculty which constitute the university — that these institutions be ethically responsible in all of their business relationships and financial practices. We believe that every corporation operating on campus must demonstrate a consistent respect for rules honouring the environment, and must incorporate policies which protect human and worker rights, regardless of how far out of sight those workers may be.

For further information: contact: Hamilton: Michelle Peek, McMaster Campus Choice Chair: (416) 606-8501, (cell), (905) 523-9101, campuschoice@gmail.com; Hayley Watson, McMaster Campus Choice Press Secretary: (416) 575-5293, campuschoiceprrep@gmail.com

5. Frontline World (PBS), "Colombia: The Coca-Cola Controversy: Soft drink company accused of complicity in murder of union leaders," By Rob Harris and Tovin Lapan
Watch Videos

6. Super Furry Animals Rock Group Says "No" to Coke
contactmusic.com, "SUPER FURRY ANIMALS HAPPY TO TURN DOWN COKE DEAL, February 6, 2006
Read Article
Listen to a clip of "Hello Sunshine," the song Coke wanted at #18
Listen to Sound Clips of Super Furry Animals
Watch the Super Furry Animals' Lazer Beam video
"Bassist GUTO PRYCE adds, 'I frickin' love it, but I'll never buy another f**king can in my life.' "

7. Justice-Seeking Italians Shake Up Turino Winter Olympics & Coke
We have set up a special page to bring together articles on the Turino 2006 Winter Olympics. Coca-Cola is a major sponsor of the Olympics and Italian activists have made their presence known. There have been actions throughout Italy against Coke when the Olympic torch passes through communities.

There was a strong anti-Coke demonstration in Bologna — see a video showing the Bologna demonstration.

We have been communicating with members of REBOC (Rete Boicottaggion Coca-Cola), the Italian campaign to boycott Coke.

Killer Coke

Anche il movimento bolognese ha blocccato per piu di un'ora la kermesse della COCAOLIADE. Duecento persone hanno impedito il passaggio della fiaccola agli ultimi tre tedofori, tra cui Gianni Moranti, che se ne sono dovuti rimanere nei furgoni.
See more photos from Bologna, Italy

8. Colombian Community NYC Flocks to Forum Highlighting Coke's Abuses
A standing-room-only crowd of more than 250 supporters packed a large room at the Renaissance Charter School in Jackson Heights, Queens. WBAI's "Wake-Up Call" Friday host Mario Murillo emceed the event; speakers included Luis Javier Correa, President of SINALTRAINAL; Luis Adolfo Cardona, SINALTRAINAL, Carepa; Geraldo Cajamarca, Ex-member for two terms, City Council of Facatativa, Colombia; Jesus Rey Avirama, Founding member and former President, Regional Indigenous Council of Cauca, CRIC' Marino Cordoba, Co-Founder of AFRODES; Nazih Richani Professor of Political Science, Kean University, and Maria Elena Hincapie, Program Director for the National Immigration Law Center.

New York City Council Member Hiram Monserrate began the meeting with remarks followed by a number of representatives of labor, including Sonia Ivany (NYS LCLAA), Ed Vargas (UNITE-HERE), Renata Bridenthal (Professional Staff Congress/CUNY, AFT). A large group of members of United Students Against Sweatshops, who were meeting at Columbia University, joined the forum during a break in their Northeast Regional Conference. Jose Schiffino (CSEA Local 1000) and Council Member Monserrate's office spent months organizing and planning for what turned out to be a remarkable and highly-successful event.

Attendees left the forum with materials and a commitment to help SINALTRAINAL win its struggle

9. College/University Roundup

Connecticut College
"The Student Government Association of Connecticut College voted this evening, by a 2:1 margin, to recommend that Dining Services halt Coca-Cola's exclusive vending-machine contract at Connecticut College.

"Though we have a still have a ways to go before a campus ban, this is a significant victory for the Killer Coca-Cola campaign at Connecticut College and CCLeft. This on the same day that CCLeft's demonstrations in front of military recruiters forced them to leave campus 2 hours before they had planned to! More good news soon!"

DePaul University
The Depaulia, "'Always Coca-Cola'?:The university's contract with Coke is up…and it may not be renewed," by Laura Bollin, January 28, 2006
Read Article

Emory University
The Emory Wheel, "Column: Just Jac - Is Coke bottling up the truth?: Corporate excuses don't matter when lives are at stake. And saying so is not ungrateful," By Jaclyn Barbarow, February 3, 2006
Read Article

The Emory Wheel, "Student Government Elections: Candidates enter race for student govt posts," By Chris Megerian and C.A. Fasnes, Feb. 3, 2006
Read Article
"The issues range from the everyday — internal reforms, additional shuttle services, longer hours at the DUC — to the ambitious: College freshman Luke Wetzel wants to investigate allegations of Coca-Cola's anti-union violence in Colombia."

Atlanta Journal Constitution, "Surprising critic of Coke: At Emory, a company bastion, the student paper has joined the chorus questioning practices in Colombia, "By Caroline Wilbert, January 29, 2006
Read Article

Macalester College
The Mac Weekly (Macalester College), "NYU and U Michigan drop Coke contract," By Patricia Bass, January 28, 2006
Read Article

Michigan State University
Michigan State University, "Resolution Regarding Michigan State University's Contract With The Coca-Cola Company And Further Concerning Allegations Leveled Against The Coca-Cola Company," Passed by McDonel Hall Government
Read Resolution

Michigan State University, Students for Economic Action Actions

See site of Students for Economic Justice, Michigan State University

Killer Coke

City Pulse, "No plans from MSU to severe beverage contract: What is Coke teaching the world nowadays?" By Laleah Fernandez, February 1, 2006
Read Article

Northland College
BusinessNorth.com, "Coke is no longer the real thing at Northland College: Students vote to end contract when it expires in 2008," Decembe 6, 2005
Read Article

The Daily Press (Northland College), "Business group concerned over Coke referendum," By Andrew Broman, December 7, 2005
Read Article

St. John's University
The Torch, (St. John's University), "Killer Coke at STJ? Investigate or else," By Jose Maldonado, Jr., February 8, 2006
Read Article
"Out of 307 St. John's students polled by The Torch, 66 percent believe that the University should cut ties with Coca-Cola if the South American murder allegations detailed in last week's story, "Chain Reaction," are true. St. John's needs to address this issue by dropping Coke, because in matters of life and death, there should be no middle ground."

The Torch, "Coca-Cola outlives controversy," By Bryan Burtner, February 8, 2006
Read Article

The Torch (St. John's University), "CHAIN REACTION: Coca-Cola loses contracts at universities nationwide," By Bryan Burtner, February 1, 2006
Read Article

University of Kansas
The University of Daily Kansan, "Universities suspend Coke contracts," by Nicole Kelley, January 26, 2006
Read Article

10. Do you need a customized Campaign leaflet?
In mid-September, the Campaign to Stop Killer Coke sent out a bulletin that listed links to customized leaflets for numerous colleges. We invited supporters to contact us to "customize a leaflet for your campus, union or group." The response was terrific! We immediately began getting emails asking us to produce customized leaflets for numerous colleges, universities, high schools and middle schools. We put them up as soon as we could. We have leaflets for Australia, Canada, Colombia (in Spanish), India, Ireland, the UK and the US.

Look for your customized leaflets

If you would like a customized leaflet, please contact us at info@KillerCoke.org. Please state the name of your school and the name of the sponsoring group and a local email address, if you want us to put them into the flyer. If you want the flyer for a group, please state the name of the group and an email address. Also, whenever you email the Campaign to Stop Killer Coke, please include a phone number, if possible, in case we have a need to talk with you.

11. Main Menu EnlargedWe have now added new sections to our main menu. Included are:
Reports: Reports done by numerous groups working on the Campaign as well as reports from the lawyers in the Alien Tort Claims lawsuit.
Newsletters: Our entire Newsletter archive from March 5, 2004 to the present
Union Activism: Articles about Unions and Coke, Resolutions, Workers fights with Coke
Links: Links to many groups active and supportive of the Campaign

12. Campaign's 'Campus Activism' Section
Students have been writing us from schools interested in beginning a Campaign to Stop Killer Coke. We recommend that students begin by checking out the two organizing packets in our "Campus Activism" section:

1. "Unthinkable! Undrinkable! A Campus Campaign Overview," a USAS Campus Guide

2. Campus Activism Packet — Campaign for a Coca-Cola Free Campus

Schools Active in the Campaign to Stop Killer Coke

In addition, there are numerous reports, resolutions and articles in the "Campus Activism" section that can be useful to students.

13. Take Actions Against Coke!

14. Please send photos, reports of events, etc. for the Campaign website Please send photos, reports of events, and if you are in a school, union or organization that has banned Coke products, please send us the resolution or description of how the decision was made. We would like the Campaign website to be up-to-date and to share the information with all supporters via our newsletter.


Campaign to Stop KILLER COKE

We are seeking your help to stop a gruesome cycle of murders, kidnappings, and torture of union leaders and organizers involved in daily life-and-death struggles at Coca-Cola bottling plants in Colombia, South America.

"If we lose the fight against Coca-Cola, we will first lose our union, next our jobs and then our lives." SINALTRAINAL VIce President Juan Carlos Galvis


Please donate to the Campaign.


Learn the truth about The Coca-Cola Co.

"We believe the evidence shows that Coca-Cola and its corporate network are rife with immorality, corruption and complicity in murder."
Campaign to Stop Killer Coke/Corporate Campaign, Inc. Director Ray Rogers

Visit www.KillerCoke.org