Happy Anniversary to the International Boycott of Coca-Cola!

Today marks the Two Year Anniversary of the official launch of the campaign against Coca-cola. Join us in celebrating all our hard work and incredible progress! Email Coca-cola, and Call and Email Hofstra University's President! PRAISE AND PRESSURE HOFSTRA: Hofstra University's exclusive contract is up for renewal this August. The formal decision has not been made yet, but the student, faculty, and administrative community have taken a very strong stance against the Coke contract. Let's make sure President Stuart Rabinowitz understands just how important his decision is to the international community. Call and email his office, make sure to leave your name and what university/organization you represent if any, praise Hofstra's solidarity movement with Colombian workers and Indian communities, and don't forget to tell them what you think about Coke! President Stuart Rabinowitz Phone (516) 463-6800 E-mail:president@hofstra.edu

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Today is our anniversary- you can make it the last!

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

Two years have passed since the launching of the world wide campaign against Coca Cola. No one wants to see a third! However, in order for the campaign against Coca Cola to end, you must take real action to meet the demands of SINALTRAINAL and the affected communities in India. Public relations manuevers will not work.

As you already know, students around the nation and around the world are fighting to remove Coca-Cola from their campuses. Recently Rutgers University in New Jersey did not renew their contract with Coca-Cola. More and more universities will join the boycott until the Coca-Cola company realizes that it cannot continue to deny its actions- but instead must take responsibility for them and change!

The whole world is watching and we will not forget Coke's crimes in Colombia or India. It is time for Coca-Cola to clean up its act!

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
July 21, 2005

Background Information

(statement from SINALTRAINAL)

Two years have passed since the launching of the world wide campaign against Coca Cola.

Many social organizations, human rights defenders, grass roots groups and thousands of men and women who are aware of the difficult situation faced by Colombian Coca-Cola workers demand that the US multinational account for its crimes. They demand Truth, Justice and Full Reparations, including respect for human rights, an end to environmental destruction from its production plants, and the cessation of deceptive slogans about democracy and freedom.

In 2003, the World Social Forum held in Porto Alegre, Brazil declared the 22nd of July to be the international day against Coca Cola.

Thousands of public meetings, mobilisations, rallies, forums and conferences held in many parts of the world have demonstrated to the international community the horrors committed by the Coca Cola Company. These acts were not only directed against Colombian workers. They were also aimed at other groups that are equally poor and subjugated by the multinational in Colombia and abroad. In addition, we have seen how the State has maintained in impunity the crimes the we denounce on a daily basis.

Through the world wide campaign, we have strengthened the resistance of the Colombian people against the violence and plunder of the multinationals, the national monopolies, and the State, which is loyal to the interests of the powerful.

We have kept the union alive, and we have advanced our demand for the respect of our rights and lives. Nevertheless, we have not managed to force Coca Cola to alleviate the pain of the victims, surrender those responsible for these crimes, or hold the perpetrators accountable for their actions.

Meeting with affected communities in India, the Mexican state of Chiapas, Peru, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and other peoples of the world who have fought against Coca-Cola?s violence, has been a very important part of this process. This is how we have advanced in the globalisation of our struggles, dreams and hopes.

One of the most important objectives of this campaign is Truth, Justice and Full Reparations for the victims. We have never wavered on this demand, nor have we abandoned our desire for dignity and well being.

By globalizing the struggle and unity, we globalize hope and dignity.

see www.studentsagainstsweatshop.org, www.killercoke.org, www.indiaresource.org to learn more about the campaign!