Anti-Corporate Globalization Campaign
Coca-Cola and Columbia
September 2003
Management at Coke's Colombian bottling plants has had a longstanding, documented relationship with paramilitary groups that have systematically engaged in harassment, kidnapping, torture, and murder of workers that have tried to organize unions in order to improve working conditions. In addition to abuses in Colombia, Coca-Cola has a history of deplorable practices in the United States with numerous safety and quality problems at their bottling facilities. Coca-Cola's Minute Maid and Hi-C brands have been recalled at various times due to unsafe products being sold to the public as a result of unsanitary production facilities. Meanwhile, Coca-Cola has taken advantage of the current lack of funding for public schools, offering lucrative contracts to schools systems such as the Grand Rapids Public Schools (who currently has a contract with Coca-Cola) in exchange for the right to sell their products in the schools. Coca-Cola has relentlessly marketed their products to children of all ages, and it is no coincidence that soft drink consumption among young people is linked to obesity and other health problems.
Information Packet
The information packet compiled and distributed by the People's Alliance on Coca-Cola and the killing of union organizers in Colombia is available online.
Events
September 1, 2003 - The People's Alliance will leaflet the Coke Campaign info at the annual Labor Day festivities in Grand Rapids.
Plan to meet at the south end of John Ball Park between 11 - 11:30am.
September 10, 2003 - Street Theatre and Leafleting. Times/locations TBA.
