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Campaigners call for boycott of U.S. brands to protest U.S. unilateral policies
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 More Photographs |
Brussels, 20th February 2005 - During a first demonstration against the visit of President Bush to Brussels the Belgian Boycott Bush network started a series of colorful protests outside the McDonalds and the Bourse/Beurs in the centre of Brussels. Seven activists with masks dressed up as George W. Bush and handed out dollar bills calling for a boycott of U.S. brands. The US presidents wore large lincoln-style hats with the logos of the U.S. multinationals which donated millions of dollars to Bush's re-election campaign. They also carried placards with slogans such as "We love Bush - privatize everything" and "Human rights? On holiday in Guantanamo". Also the skeletal figure Mr. Death joined the protest with a coffin displaying the logos of six main U.S. multinationals which are the targets of the international boycott campaign: the oil campanies Exxon-Mobile (ESSO) and Texaco, the soft drinks giants Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, the food and cigarettes giant Altria (Philip Morris and Kraft) and McDonalds, the outstanding symbol of U.S. cultural and economic imperialism.
A recent market research conducted by Seattle-based Global Market Insite (GMI) Inc. which questioned 8 000 consumers in 8 different countries between the 10th and 12th December 2004 shows that the current U.S. foreign policies have a negative impact on American businesses (1). Twenty percent of the respondants from Europe and Canada said that they consciously avoid buying U.S. products as a way to protest. These findings are consistent with similar surveys conducted by GMI three weeks after Bush's re-election in November 2004, as well as with research by the British firm NOP World in July of the same year.
Pol D`Huyvetter, from the international boycott campaign coordination secretariat in Belgium, declared: `The economic boycott is an effective non-violent tool with which concerned citizens around the world can vote with their wallets against the aggressive policies of Washington. We need to wake-up and explain to people and social movements that as opposition to the Nazi regime would have boycotted German companies supporting the fascist regime of Hitler, today we need to boycott US multinational corporations as an effective tool to oppose US foreign policies which are the most dangerous threat to international security and peace today`.
Luc Daniels from a Belgian based NGO Americawatchers found that a growing number of community leaders in his country come to understand that one can not protest U.S. foreign policies while drinking a can of Coca Cola, an important sponsor of Bush re-election. Mr. Daniels calls for strengthening the United Nations, which continues to be undermined by the US. Therefore the boycott comes very timely as an effective non-violent weapon as was used by Mahatma Ghandi to drive out the British empire out of India, or end the apartheid regime in South-Africa.
Felipe Van Keirsbilck, who works at the CSC, one of the largest unions in Belgium, calls consumers to use their consumers power to built another world. He calls people to buy local, fair-trade and organic products as an alternative for the U.S. corporate products. He believes that the argument of unemployment created by the boycott is a false one, as the jobs lost in U.S. corporations which are driven by profit, will be replaced by jobs in local companies which respect the environment and human-rights.
Dilys Dana Pierson from the US has been calling for the boycott since the illegal invasion of Iraq: "What can we say about the values that drive US foreign policy today? Vermont supporters of the international boycott believe US foreign policy today is dictated by a belief in dominance through military violence and a belief in fear as a mode of social control and international intimidation. The current US administration believes in an economic system that caters to US corporations and the rich, while nearly one billion of our brothers and sisters on this planet face starvation."
The Boycott Bush network has groups signed up in over 40 countries with many new groups expected to join following the latest World Social Forum in Brazil.
For more information: Boycott Bush
Global call for U.S. boycott at World Social Forum, Brazil
-campaigners prepare for continental social forums in Africa, Asia, Americas,
Europe and Pacific
Porto Alegre, February 4th 2005 Participants from around the globe united in a renewed call for a worldwide boycott of US brands as an effective action against unilateral US Foreign policies. During a meeting with more than 600 activists, boycott campaigners from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Finland, Japan, South-Korea and Sweden repeated the rationale behind the US boycott, as both the UN and protests with millions of people does not seem to stop the destructive and self-centered policies of Washington concerning Iraq, the Kyoto protocol, the International Criminal Court, the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty to name a few.
The US, which seriously considers resumption of nuclear testing in Nevada, is the only country with nuclear weapons secretly deployed on the territory of other countries. The weapons of mass destruction are part of the largest stock of an estimated 10,640 U.S. nuclear warheads, enough to kill every human being many times. The US imperialism seem to have no limits with its military expenses exceeding 50% of the world total with 500 billion US dollar in 2004, and its military power stretching to an estimated of more than 1,000 military bases outside its own territory.
During a successful strategy meeting at the WSF the boycott campaign was able to consolidate as it found many new organizers and decided to prepare for 2007 WSF in Africa by strengthening regional networks via continental forum meetings in the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Pacific in 2006.
Pol D`Huyvetter, from the international boycott campaign coordination secretariat in Belgium, declared: `The economic boycott is an effective non-violent tool with which concerned citizens around the world can vote with their wallets against the aggressive policies of Washington. We need to wake-up and explain to people and social movements that as opposition to the Nazi regime would have boycotted German companies supporting the fascist regime of Hitler, today we need to boycott US multinational corporations as an effective tool to oppose US foreign policies which are the most dangerous threat to international security and peace today`.
In a parallel meeting at the WSF, Mr. Luiz Marinho, President of CUT, the Union of Brazilian unions, called the audience of an estimated 15,000 people to support the boycott of Exxon-Mobile, Texaco, Coca-Cola, Pepsico, Mc Donalds and Altria (Kraft Philip Morris).
Ms. Waratah Rosemarie Gillespie, a lawyer and award winning author from Australia, shares the analyse that concerning the U.S. boycott campaign the people are ahead of the social movements in effectively organizing the boycott in their daily lives. Rosemarie Gillespie, also the Pacific coordinator, states that social movements from over 50 countries have now joined the boycott campaign network, it is believed that many millions of people are boycotting U.S. brands since the illegal attack and occupation of Iraq. This is confirmed by a recent survey from the Seattle based Global Market Insite (GMI) Inc. questioning 8,000 consumers in eight countries between December 10 12, 2004. The survey finds that the Bush administration`s foreign policies may be costing U.S. corporations business overseas as twenty percent of respondents in Europe and Canada said they consciously avoided buying U.S. products as a protest against the White House policies. That finding was consistent with similar polls conducted out by GMI three weeks after Bush`s November election victory and another survey by UK-based NOP World in July 2004.
Prof Hee Yeon Cho from the South Korean Defeat Bush network also found that a growing number of community leaders in his country come to understand that one can not protest U.S. policies with a can of Coca Cola in the right hand, a Marlboro in the left and ones feet in Nike shoes. As he called for strengthening the United Nations, he saw that the U.S. continues to undermine the U.N. and the International Criminal Court. Also Prof Atsushi Fujioka, economist and member of Attac Japan, finds that the boycott comes very timely as an effective non-violent weapon as was used by Mahatma Ghandi to drive out the British empire out of India, or end the apartheid regime in South-Africa.
Leo Stranius, campaigner of Friends of the Earth Finland, says his group organized the boycott campaigfn effectively in his country, using creative actions, the movement`s network as well as the main-stream media to call consumers to use their consumers power to built another world. He called people to buy local, fair-trade and organic products as an alternative for the U.S. corporate products. He also explained that the argument of unemployment created by the boycott is a false one, as the jobs lost in U.S. corporations which are driven by profit, will be replaced by jobs in companies which respect the environment and human-rights.
Dilys Dana Pierson from the US has been calling for the boycott since the illegal invasion of Iraq: "What can we say about the values that drive US foreign policy today? Vermont supporters of the international boycott believe US foreign policy today is dictated by a belief in dominance through military violence and a belief in fear as a mode of social control and international intimidation. The current US administration believes in an economic system that caters to US corporations and the rich, while nearly one billion of our brothers and sisters on this planet face starvation."
More information: www.boycottbush.org
International secreatariat
Pol D'Huyvetter
pol@motherearth.org
+32-495-28 02 59
Magali Fontanel
magali@motherearth.org
+32-484-61 80 89
Asia
Hee Yeon Cho
telecho7@pspd.org
Phone +55-21-11-99440682
Prof Atsushi Fujioka, economist and Attac Japan
fujioka@ec.ritsumei.ac.jp
Europe
Leo Stranius
leo.stranius@iki.fi
Phone +358-40-754 73 71
Pacific
Waratah Rosemarie Gillespie
rosemarie_gillespie@ekit.com
Phone + 61-4-22802018
North America
Dilys Dana Pierson, Vermont Boycott for Peace
dilysp@gmavt.net
Note (1) the U.S. is believed to store nuclear weapons in Belgium, Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey. These deployments suffer from complete lack of transparency and democratic control by the elected members of parliament.
Boycott Bush campaigners meet in World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil
January 26 to 31, 2005 The Boycott Bush campaign will be present at the WSF. Campaigners will hold an information table during the event and boycott Bush dollars with a list of products to boycott will be spread. A seminar is planned on January 30. We also plan a network meeting at the end of the WSF. Exact times and venues will be announced as soon as available.
If you plan to go to the WSF and want to help us, please contact magali@motherearth.org.
Boycott Bush seminar details:
Code: 1170
Date: 30 January 2005
Time: third period
Venue: 3 G601
Capacity: 600
More info about the seminar: http://www.inscricoesfsm.org.br/content/index.php
More info about the WSF: http://www.forumsocialmundial.org.br
Overseas Consumers Increasingly Shunning U.S. Brand Name Products
Published on Wednesday, December 29, 2004 by OneWorld.net
U.S. Businesses Overseas Threatened by Rising Anti-Americanism
by Jim Lobe
WASHINGTON - The Bush administration's foreign policy may be costing U.S. corporations business overseas--according to a new survey of 8,000 international consumers released this week by the Seattle-based Global Market Insite (GMI) Inc.
Unfortunately, current American foreign policy is viewed by international consumers as a significant negative, when it used to be a positive.
Dr. Mitchell Eggers, GMI's chief operating officer and chief pollster Brands closely identified with the U.S., such as Marlboro cigarettes, America Online (AOL), McDonald's, American Airlines, and Exxon-Mobil are particularly at risk. GMI, an independent market research company, conducted the survey in eight countries December 10-12 with consumers over the internet.
One third of all consumers in Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, and the United Kingdom said that U.S. foreign policy, particularly the "war on terror" and the occupation of Iraq, constituted their strongest impression of the United States.
Twenty percent of respondents in Europe and Canada said they consciously avoided buying U.S. products as a protest against those policies. That finding was consistent with a similar poll carried out by GMI three weeks after Bush's November election victory.
"Unfortunately, current American foreign policy is viewed by international consumers as a significant negative, when it used to be a positive," according to Dr. Mitchell Eggers, GMI's chief operating officer and chief pollster.
"Some American brands become closely connected to their country of origin and are quintessentially American," he added. "They represent the American lifestyle, innovation, power, leadership, and foreign policy."
Whether the U.S. foreign policy under Bush is affecting the sales of U.S. corporations overseas is being hotly debated by advertising and public relations firms, as well as the companies themselves. Last month, Kevin Roberts, chief executive of advertising giant Saatchi & Saatchi, told the Financial Times that he believed consumers in Europe and Asia were becoming increasingly resistant to having "brand America rammed down their throats."
Simon Anholt, author of 'Brand America' has also predicted a consumer backlash against U.S. foreign policy. He recently told the British trade magazine, 'Marketing Week', that four more years of Bush's foreign policy could have grave consequences for U.S. companies' international market share.
"There have already been casual protest brands, such as Mecca Cola, which are primarily political," he told the weekly. "But things are now moving beyond that. For instances, German restaurants are beginning to refuse American Express cards. This is new territory."
Other analysts have been skeptical, arguing that recent declines in sales in France and Germany by McDonald's, Coca-Cola, and Marlboro were due far more to other factors, including flagging economies in both countries or a simple failure by companies to adapt rapidly enough to consumer tastes.
But the new survey, as well as the one taken by GMI last month, suggests that the unpopularity of U.S. foreign policy may indeed be playing a role, at least for companies that are either strongly identified with the United States or that are perceived as having similar characteristics as its foreign policy.
"American companies are accused of aggressiveness and arrogance because they insist on imposing the American way of doing things on their international markets; they are inflexible," according to Allyson Stewart-Allen, co-author of 'Working With Americans,' a business best-seller published by Prentice Hall in 2002.
She argued that the more U.S. companies distance themselves from their U.S. identity, the better they will survive in the international marketplace. "U.S. companies abroad now need to focus on adding yet more value and repositioning their brands to consumers in the intensely competitive global village in which they compete"
"The more aligned they are with those customers--regardless of their U.S.-created DNA--they'll win." American companies need to focus on alignment with international markets and embrace their market differences and idiosyncrasies.
The survey cited 40 U.S.-based companies and asked consumers who said they were trying to avoid buying U.S. brands to rate each one of them by how closely they were identified with being "American," and whether or not they deliberately avoided buying their products.
The survey then plotted each company's position on a quadrant divided into "safe" and "insulated" squares at the bottom and "at risk" and "problem squares" at the top.
Those deemed "safe" or "insulated" generally were either not seen as particularly "American" (Visa, Kodak, Kleenex or Gillette), or they apparently lacked real competition (Microsoft, Heinz, and Disney).
Visa was the single best performer: only 17 percent of consumers identified as intending to avoid U.S. brands thought that it was "extremely American," and only 15 percent said they intended to boycott it. Fifty-four percent said they had used Visa at least once in the previous month.
"Problem" companies, on the other hand, included those which more than a third of boycotting consumers said they intended to avoid, and more than 40 percent of consumers said they considered to be "extremely American."
On that scale, Marlboro was found to be the most problematic. Sixty percent of respondents said they avoided the product, while two-thirds said they considered it to be "extremely American." Only McDonald's had a higher "American" score, at 73 percent, but only 42 percent of respondents said they avoided the Golden Arches.
In contrast to Visa's performance, 48 percent of boycotting consumers said they would definitely avoid using American Express; 64 percent said they thought the company was "extremely American," and only two percent reported using it during the previous month.
Other problem brands included Exxon-Mobil, AOL, American, Chevron Texaco, United Airlines, Budweiser, Chrysler, Barbie Doll, Starbucks, and General Motors.
The latest poll found that more than two thirds of European and Canadian consumers have had a negative change in their view of the United States as a result of U.S. foreign policy over the last three years. Nearly half believe that the war in Iraq was motivated by a desire to control oil supplies, while only 15 percent believed it was related to terrorism.
Nearly two thirds of European and Canadian consumers also said they believe U.S. foreign policy is guided primarily by self-interest and empire-building, while only 17 percent believe that the defense of freedom and democracy is its guiding principle.
Half of the entire sample said they distrusted U.S. companies, at least in part because of the U.S. foreign policy. Seventy-nine percent said they distrusted the U.S. government for the same reason, while 39 percent said they distrusted the American public.
Boycott Bush campaigners meet in World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil
According to the global advertising agency DDB Worldwide, the war in Iraq, with all its geopolitical side battles, has made Nike shoes, Coca-Cola, McDonalds and Microsoft anathema in certain corners of the globe. His findings were echoed by the annual NOP World survey of power brands.
That is what Keith Reinhard, CEO of the global advertising agency DDB Worldwide, found in a study he commissioned in 17 countries. His findings were echoed by the annual NOP World survey of power brands. That study of 1,000 consumers in each of 30 countries found that over the past two years, the number of consumers who use U.S. products from companies such as Microsoft and McDonald's had dropped to 27% from 30%.
The numbers may seem small, but they're significant. "The margins of the market are where the risk lies, and these days even losing a percentage point or two of share is not good news," says Tom Miller, managing director of NOP World.
Miller notes that privately, companies are voicing concern about their country's image problem. Sales are a lagging indicator. "Attitudinal change ultimately drives behavioral shifts," he says, and companies already sense the shift in attitudes.
Reinhard points out that people still love a lot of things about America: their can-do spirit, their optimism, their creativity, and even their business acumen. But in the commercial world, people don't buy things from sellers they don't trust. And Brand U.S.A. has lost foreign consumers' trust. To restore that faith, American companies must use "soft" power skills to do what military might cannot.
Reinhard envisions i.e. programs to teach top officers at American multinationals what they need to know to be kinder, gentler global citizens, plus a World Citizens Guide for students and another for adults.
Trust Gap
Percentage who said they trusted:
| 2003 | 2004 | |
| Coca-Cola | 55% | 52% |
| McDonald's | 36% | 33% |
| Nike | 56% | 53% |
| Microsoft | 45% | 39% |
Full article: http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/88/open_essay.html
Results of the Alternative US Presidential elections:
World citizens call for a boycott of US corporations
 More Photographs |
Since this morning non-US citizens have been voting at polling stations in Belgium, Brazil, England, Finland, France, Hungary, Kyrgyzstan and Spain. In Brussels and Ghent (Belgium) polling stations have been set up since the morning, and many people have been enthusiastically voting. According to the first exit polls, neither Bush nor Kerry "Mr. Bush Light" can count on much public support. People are voting by a great majority for an end to the US occupation of Iraq, for the Kyoto protocol and for an end to the American support for Israel. Almost all of the votes have been cast in favour of an international boycott of US products that have a great influence on the policies of Washington: Esso, Texaco, Coca Cola, Pepsi, Kraft/Philip Morris and McDonalds. The campaign is coordinated by For Mother Earth, and is supported by 141 groups and organisations in 39 countries. The ballot paper can also be found online at www.boycottbush.org
The results from:
ONLINE VOTING
570 votes for a boycott of Esso, Texaco, Coca Cola, Pepsi, Kraft/Philip Morris and McDonalds
48 votes for Bush and Kerry
BELGIUM
687 votes for a boycott of Esso, Texaco, Coca Cola, Pepsi, Kraft/Philip Morris and McDonalds
5 votes for Bush and Kerry
326 votes for a boycott of Esso, Texaco, Coca Cola, Pepsi, Kraft/Philip Morris and McDonalds)
12 votes for Bush and Kerry (Bush Light)
280 votes for a boycott of Esso, Texaco, Coca Cola, Pepsi, Kraft/Philip Morris and McDonalds)
3 votes for Bush and Kerry
104 persons voted, 49 clear votes for a change of the current US foreign policies and a boycott, many electors didn't vote for an end of the US support to Israel all other votes were for a boycott but didn't agree with all the demands
one vote for Kerry and no vote for Bush!
BRAZIL
|
212 votes to boycott Bush 10 people said they buy Bush's donors 6 filled the ballot paper incorrectly |
FINLAND
Bush, Kerry, or real democracy? |
92 voted against the USA policy and 3 voted for it Photographs of the action: http://maahinen.org/tapahtunutta/bush-boikotti_2004 |
KYRGYZSTAN
667 citizens took part in the alternative US presidential elections.
22.9% support activities of current US policies in the world
77.1% of citizens request changes of US foreign policies and support the boycott
SPAIN
They have used a different ballot paper than the one online at www.boycottbush.org:
63 people voted:
1 person voted for G.W. Bush and 20 people voted for J. Kerry
40 people voted for other candidates such as Ralph Nader, Michael Moore and even Bruce Springsteen and Michael Stipe, the R.E.M. singer.
Every single person voted for the US to stay out of Iraq, ratify the Kyoto Protocol, find a 2-state solution for Israel and Palestine, acknowledge the authority of the International Criminal Court and stop imposing GMOs.
UK
From 200 votes:
181 for boycotts and a change in the USA's unilateral policy's
19 for bush/Kerry
38 votes for a boycott of Esso, Texaco, Coca Cola, Pepsi, Kraft/Philip Morris and McDonalds
We look forward to more results from Hungary (Budapest) and Spain (Barcelona and Córdoba)
Alternative US Presidential Elections for non-US citizens in Belgium, Brazil, England, Hungary, Kirgyzstan and Spain
Brussels, Wednesday 27 October 2004 - Not only the US is gearing up for the presidential elections. Alternative polling stations for non-US citizens are being prepared for Tuesday November 2nd in Belgium, Brazil, England, Hungary, Kirgyzstan and Spain. With these alternative US elections, the organisers of the Boycott Bush International Campaign want to give world citizens the opportunity to be part of this important day. People will be able to vote against George W. Bush's policies in Iraq and other parts of the world. They will be invited to vote with their wallet by joining an international boycott campaign targeting US multinationals. Voting is also possible online at http://www.boycottbush.org.
"As non US citizens, we cannot vote although US policies affect all of us in everyday life", declared Pol D'Huyvetter, a Boycott Bush and For Mother Earth campaigner in Belgium. "With the alternative US elections, people do not have to choose between G.W. Bush or John Kerry also known as Mr. Bush Light!" said D'Huyvetter. "People outside the US can now vote with their wallet for the end of the U.S. occupation of Iraq, for the Kyoto Protocol, for the disarmament of the 10,000+ weapons in the US nuclear arsenal, and for the end of U.S. support of Israel."
No Bush - No Kerry: Vote with your wallet!
Whether Bush or Kerry is elected on November 2nd, US multinationals and the United States' foreign policies will continue to fuel wars, environmental destruction and human-rights violations. For this reason, the Boycott Bush International Campaign is calling for an open ended boycott campaign which will continue after the US presidential elections. The Top 6 US multinationals to boycott are all big Bush donors since 1999 and have bad records with regards to the environment, peace issues and human rights. We have the consumer power so we will vote with our wallets! The campaign is being coordinated by For Mother Earth in Belgium, and is made up of 141 groups and organisations in 39 countries.
Bush donors
Last January, Boycott Bush campaigners and activists met during the World Social Forum, in Mumbai, India. They decided to target 6 US multinationals who are important Bush donors and who have global brands, easy to boycott in every region of the planet.
TOP 6 Bush donors 1999-2004
(4th Oct. 04; Source: www.opensecrets.org)
1. Altria (ex-Philip Morris, Kraft Food) : $6.830.000
2. Exxon-Mobil (Esso) : $2.730.000
3. Chevron-Texaco: $2.420.000
4. PepsiCo: $1.940.000
5. Coca Cola co.: $1.040.000
6. McDonalds: $780.000
More info about the alternative elections in the Boycott Action Kit:
http://www.motherearth.org/USboycott/ftp/actkit/2nov_en.pdf
Press contact:
Pol D'Huyvetter
pol@motherearth.org
+32-9-242-87-52 (dir.)
+32-495-28-02-59 (mobile)
Overview US Presidential Elections for non-US citizens
Global Boycott Bush Action Day, Tuesday November 2, 2004
Belgium
Brussel
In the European capital, the pacifist groups Mouvement Chrétien pour la paix and Rencontres pour la paix, with the group of solidarity with Columbia Ayni http://users.skynet.be/AYNI/ and the pacifist and environmental organization For Mother Earth www.motherearth.org, hold a polling station downtown Place de la Monnaie from 10am until 4pm on November 2, 2004.
Press contacts:
Felipe Van Keirsbilck
u50fvk@acv-csc.be
Tel: +32 478 29 59 50
Pol D'Huyvetter
pol@motherearth.org
Tel: +32 495 28 02 59
Fax: +32 9 242 87 51
Gent
The pacifist and environmental organization For Mother Earth www.motherearth.org organises alternative US presidential elections at the Korenmarkt in Gent, in front of the Mc Donald's restaurant, from 9am until 5pm. For Mother Earth is running the secretariat for the International Boycott Bush Campaign www.boycottbush.org.
Press contact:
Pol D'Huyvetter
pol@motherearth.org
Tel: +32 495 28 02 59
Fax: +32 9 242 87 51
Genappe
The Tof Théâtre organises an alternative polling station on November 2nd for the US Presidential Elections in Genappe, in the French-speaking part of Belgium. The Tof Théâtre is a theater professional company for children and young people.
Where? At the Tof théâtre / Le Monty, 58 rue de Charleroi, 1470 Genappe
When? on November 2, from 17pm until 22pm
Press contact:
Alain Moreau tof.theatre@skynet.be
Tel: +32 477 313 946
University of Liège
The administration of the University of Liège has given its permission for the Federation of Students to organize an alternative polling station within the university for the US Presidential Elections. The university will print the posters to advert the alternative elections and flyers to inform students about the international treaties, including the Kyoto Protocol, that the current US administration refuse to sign or ratify. The alternative elections take place on Thursday October 28th and Friday October 29th to allow students to vote before their holidays.
Press contact:
Caroline Lebeau
caroline.lebeau@tiscali.be
Tel : +32 498 68 74 32
Brazil
Curitiba
"Eleições dos Estados Unidos por Outro Mundo" or US Elections for Another World will be held in Curitiba. The action is organised by a group of students Unions. Boycotts are not very common in Brazil. Everyone drinks Coca Cola and very few abandoned McDonald's. This is a good moment to start a boycott campaign as the public opinion is engaged against the occupation in Iraq. The students have already prepared a list of the products to boycott and the substitutes, to email friends, and they hope with this action to disseminate the list - and the idea. They decided to include Unilever in the list of the boycott targets, as they own 30 of the most important brands we find in the markets. Unilever have, as well, fired the actress Whoopi Goldberg for speaking against Bush, and have a history on animals mistreatment for cosmetic research.
Press contact:
Marcel Retondario
starrkey@terra.com.br
Tel : +41 9997-8077
England
Bradford University
Students are circulating the Boycott Bush fliers www.boycottbush.org around Bradford University. They plan to hold alternative US Presidential Elections within their university.
Press contact:
Amy Beeton
A.F.Beeton@Bradford.ac.uk
University of London
Tuesday 2 November at 10 am a street polling station organized by students in London will be ready to receive the ethical consumers and curious people that will come to vote.
Press contact:
Olaya Garcia Alonso
olaya_india@yahoo.co.in
Tel : +44 79 44 91 31 71
+44 20 87 28 01 17 (evenings)
Finland
Oulu
A local group of Friends of the Earth Finland www.maanystavat.fi organizes Alternatives Elections at Oulu on Tuesday 2 November 2004 to vote againts or for the usa policy and to say yes to the boycott campaing. The polling station will be open at the center of oulu around 3-6 pm.
Press contact:
Sanna Eskonniemi, Vice-Chair of Friends of the Earth Finland
o3essa00@students.oamk.fi
France
In Brittany, two alternative polling stations may be held by student groups from the University of Rennes, and by the fair trade Beuk Kola producer, Kan ar bed. To be confirmed
Hungary
Budapest
The Hungarian Left Front www.baloldalifront.hu/ prepares alternative polling stations from 29th October to 2nd November, at different points around Budapest including the exit of the tube stations at the East and West train stations. A lot of people pass this point every day. 2 millions people are living in Budapest.
Press contact:
Peter
leftfront@freemail.hu
Tel: +36 204502804
Kyrgyzstan
Bishkek
In Kyrgyzstan, the Public Association "Civil Society Against Corruption" have spread the call in Central Asia to organize alternative US presidential elections on Tuesday November 2nd, 2004. They also take the opportunity to organise their own alternative elections in their country to express their feeling and thoughts regarding US policy, since it has an integral part in their life. They have translated the non-us ballot from www.boycottbush.org into Russian and have printed "official" ballot papers and posters. They will open “real” polling stations near Central Market ZUM and at 4 main universities in the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek:
1. American University-Central Asia,
2. Kyrgyz-Russian Slavonic University,
3. Kyrgyz State National University,
4. Bishkek Humanitarian University.
They will start their actions in the four universities from 9am till 2pm. Then from 4pm till 7pm, they will held a polling station at the central market place, where there will be a lot of people. They are looking forward to give a press conference after the elections to unveil the results of the alternative elections.
Press contact :
Almaz Urbaev
almazchik@rambler.ru
Spain
Córdoba
In Córdoba, the Green Party plan to do a street action on November 2nd with the ballot papers for the alternative US elections for non-US citizens. They will be joined by other political parties and organisations. They want to take the opportunity to be on the street with the message of the Boycott Bush campaign, and to ask the US government to comply with international treaties.
Press contact:
Valle Lopez-Tello
valle@softhome.net
Mallorca
The Fair Trade NGO Finestra al Sud www.finestralsud.org, based in Inca, Mallorca,held alternative US elections on Saturday, 30th October, in a street party where they celebrated their 5th anniversary. 63 people voted in the afternoon and in the evening at their polling station. They announced the results at the end of the party:
1 person voted for G.W. Bush and 20 people voted for J. Kerry
2 people voted blank
40 people voted for other candidates such as Ralph Nader, Michael Moore and even Bruce Springsteen and Michael Stipe, the R.E.M. singer.
Every single person voted for the US to stay out of Iraq, ratify the Kyoto Protocol, find a 2-state solution for Israel and Palestine, acknowledge the authority of the International Penal Court and stop imposing GMOs.
Press contact:
Mercedes Lopez
lopez_mercedes@hotmail.com
Barcelona
The Catalan boycott group Boicot Preventivo www.boicotpreventivo.org will hold alternative US presidential elections in Barcelona.
Press contact:
David Llistar
david.llistar@debtwatch.org
Tuesday November 2, 2004 - Boycott action
Organise US Presidential Elections in your town -
No Bush - No Kerry: Vote with your wallet!
This is a call for you to organize an alternative polling station for the upcoming US presidential elections on Tuesday 2nd November 2004 in your city/country.
Alternative elections with a table, ballot boxes, etc ... where people do not choose between G.W. Bush or John Kerry (Mr. Bush Light!), but can vote for the end of the U.S. occupation of Iraq, for Kyoto, for nuclear disarmament, the end of U.S. support of Israel, .... and can vote for the companies they will boycott.
It is a global action proposal from the Belgian Boycott Bush network which met last September 1st 2004 in Brussels.
Why?
The 2nd November is a good moment to explain that we, as non US citizens, can not vote although US policies affect all of us in everyday life.
We want to state that: "The American public can register their opinions at the ballot box, but for the rest of the world, all we can do is register our opinions via the marketplace." (Gerd Leipold, Greenpeace International Executive Director, April 2001). We have the consumer power so we will vote with our wallet! This is an interesting story for the media.
Alternative US Presidential Elections in the World
We want to open “real” polling stations morning or afternoon (morning is the best time for media) downtown with a table, ballot boxes, ballot papers, informative panels, posters etc. in as many cities and countries as possible (to make it meaningful). This is an action to which people might enjoy to participate. We can ask the polling material to the town hall. The action can be more strong if we invite local personalities to come to vote. As for a “real” election, there will be a second strong time in this action: the unveiling of our results.
The ballot papers
We propose to have ballot papers with boxes to tick:
We are working on a more concrete proposal.
How?
We still hesitate for the title of the action
Please get back to us with your ideas and input. We hope to have the organisers packet ready ASAP.
Let us know if you plan to organize an alternative US presidential election in your city / country! We are willing to act as an international clearinghouse.
Magali Fontanel
magali@motherearth.org
Vermont Boycott for Peace - plan busy summer of actions
The Vermont Boycott for Peace has a busy summer planned. It began yesterday with their presence at the oldest and longest continually running July 4th celebration in the state, namely the Bristol Parade Independence Day festivities on the Bristol Green.
Almost 150 new people signed the statewide boycott pledge after learning where their money goes when they buy from the corporations on the boycott list. Many others listened, took away boycott literature, and committed to visiting the VPB's web site for more information.
Next weekend, Vermont Boycott for Peace will be in Poultney, Vermont, at SolarFest - the New England renewable energy festival. The events will continue as they travel around the state - check VBT events page for the full schedule of places and times ().
VBT have also added a BUYcott page to their web site. "We're excited about this new page because this is where we feature descriptions of and contact info for socially responsible local and nationwide businesses that offer reasonable alternatives to the products and services offered by corporations on the boycott list." says Dilys Pierce from VBT.
Activists in the US are busy making plans for protests in NYC at the Republican National Convention in August. Vermont Boycott for Peace aim to progress the Country's boycott awareness with their actions across the state this summer.
In Iraq already used uranium weapons are destroying the population.
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Gent - On Friday 25 of June, between 17 and 18 o’clock the NGO For Mother Earth will mark out a “radioactive toxic zone” at the entrance to the railway station of Gent.
In this dangerous zone some body bags of deceased children and babies will be lying on the ground, accompanied with their photographs taken when they suffered of the ill health caused by the use of munitions containing depleted uranium during the Gulf War of 1991.
People clothed in white protection suits will be handing over flyers to the train catchers. The purpose of this action is to make the public aware of the ongoing massmurders in Iraq. For depleted uranium has a radioactive half-life of 4.5 billion years. Exposure in the human body to dust particles of depleted uranium causes diseases such as leukaemia, cancers, and severe damage to the kidneys and genetic mutations. Today uranium weapons are sold on the world marketplace. More then 18 countries possess them. (For photographs, go to: http://www.web-light.nl/VISIE/extremedeformities.html) Information also on www.motherearth.org/du
People will be asked to sign a petition, demanding for a ban on uranium weapons. For Mother Earth encourages everyone to resist the international policy that maintains this genocide. People wanting to respond to this issue could choose consciously not to buy anymore the produce of companies, which sponsored the election campaign of George W Bush.
An international network of NGO’s covering forty calls for an aimed boycott of six American companies:
McDonalds (640,000 $)
Coca Cola (860,000 $)
Pepsico (1,940,000 $)
Texaco-Chevron (2,200,000 $)
Exxon-Mobil (Esso, 2,470,000 $)
Altria (Philip Morris/Kraft, 6,350,000 $)
Source: http://www.opensecrets.org
At the info-table you can get Dollar-shopping lists.
The UN-Resolution 1546, passed in the UN-Security Council, gave the United States the legitimisation to go to war and to occupy and loot Iraq. The majority of the Iraqis want the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the foreign troops deployed in Iraq. Only by doing this there will be real sovereignty. The BoycottBush campaign calls for participation to a direct action the 30th of June (‘transfer of power’) at the US-Embassy in Brussels.
More information on the International Boycott Bush campaign you can find at www.boycottbush.org
At this moment in time For Mother Earth is urgently looking for financial support. The money you do not spend on American products can be transferred to the FME-banking account, number 001-2055174-14.
George W. Bush master of ceremony for Iraqi killing fields in Belgium
|
Friday 28th May 2004 - The sun is blazing near one of the main railway stations in Belgium. A bride and groom sit still on a chair with red stained blood running down their white face. They are dead. Thirty corpses with white masks wrapped in blankets lay around the just-married couple. Many travellers at the Gent railway station know immediately that this street-theatre is referring to the innocent Iraqi civilians killed during a wedding party by the occupying U.S. forces in Iraq during the night of May 19th 2004. |
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U.S. President George W. Bush armed with a machine gun and with a big smile walks in between the corpses and stops near a black coffin. The black coffin reminds us of the thousands of Iraqi civilians who are killed by the U.S. led forces. Bush puts his thumbs up and reminds us a group of onlookers that we need to win the war against terrorism: “Please help me win the next presidential elections and I will continue to fight terror. Don’t forget to drink two liters of Coke or Pepsi a day and have your three meals at Mc Donalds. When you need gasoline go for the best and have Esso or Texaco. And of course you should smoke your two packs of Marlboro a day! All these companies give me lots of money and it will help me fight terror.”
With this street-theatre, the Belgian NGO For Mother Earth renews its call to boycott Exxon-Mobil, Chevron-Texaco, Pepsico, Coca Cola Company, Altria (Kraft/Philip Morris) and McDonald, all corporate sponsors of the George W. Bush election campaign. Flyers of the international Boycott Bush network also remind the public that no weapons of mass destruction were found in Iraq, while the U.S. possesses an estimated 10.600 nuclear warheads.
The peace campaigners denounce the western media, which rarely gives attention to the thousands of Iraqi civilian victims. According to a report from Medact, UK affiliate of IPPNW (International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War), between 7,800-9,600 Iraqi civilians have already been killed since the start of the war in March 2003. The organization also gives a number for the total of deaths (both citizens and Iraqi soldiers) of between 21,700 and 55,000 for the first six months of the war (1). According to Iraq Body Count there are already between 9187 en 11.046 civilian victims (2). According to the Associated Press news agency, in the month of April 2004 alone 1,200 Iraqi people were killed (3). On May 27 2004, the U.S. counted 805 of its troops amongst the victims of the war.
The peace campaigners do not want to stand on the sidelines and watch the death toll rise. With their action, they want to encourage people to take part in a daily protest against the American occupation of Iraq, through a targeted boycott of six important financial supporters of President Bush’s election campaign. According to the campaign group, the boycott enables people to do something in their daily life against the brutal unilateral politics of Washington. They are part of an international network of NGOs in over 40 countries, which calls for a targeted boycott of six U.S. companies who support the election campaign with large sums of money.
The following companies, targeted for the boycott, are large financial contributors to Republican Party election funds:
Altria (Philip Morris, Marlboro, Kraft) donated $6.530.000
Exxon-Mobil (Esso) donated $2.470.000
Texaco-Chevron donated $2.200.000
Pepsico donated $1.940.000
Coca Cola Company donated $860.000
Mc Donalds donated $640.000
Figures from 2000 to April 2004
Source: Center for Responsive Politics http://www.opensecrets.org
A recent opinion poll conducted by NOP World shows that U.S. brands are currently suffering around the world due to Bush foreign policy. With the boycott, For Mother Earth wants to support, and increase, this shift away from U.S. products.
The following figures illustrate this trend (Source: De Finaciële Morgen- De Morgen p15, May 11, 2004)
1. Going to McDonalds in 2003 and 2004:
Country |
2003 |
2004 | |
Germany |
43% |
34% |
-9% |
India |
17% |
9% |
-8% |
Egypt |
55% |
38% |
-17% |
Canada |
62% |
52% |
-10% |
2. Buying Nike products in 2003 and 2004
Country |
2003 |
2004 |
|
Germany |
49% |
28% |
-21% |
France |
45% |
38% |
-7% |
Russia |
20% |
12% |
-8% |
China |
19% |
13% |
-6% |
These numbers are encouraging for the international boycott campaigners who met for the first time during the World Social Forum in Mumbai, India, last January. http://www.boycottbush.org
And finally: For Mother Earth is urgently seeking financial support to continue the campaign. Money that consumers save on U.S. products are welcome at account number 001-2055174-14 of For Mother Earth with message 'Boycott Bush Campaign'
For Mother Earth started this weekly protest last 14th April 2004. They plan to meet every week between 5 and 6 pm.
(1) Report on civilian victims in Iraq, MedAct
http://www.medact.org/tbx/pages/sub.cfm?id=775
(2) Iraq Body Count
http://www.iraqbodycount.net
(3) AP report states at least 1,200 Iraq dead in April 2004
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4031177,00.html
Press contact: Pol D'Huyvetter +32 495-28 02 59
Boycott protest in Belgium
Tortured Iraqi prisoners start weekly
protest in Belgium
Renewed call for boycott of U.S. corporate sponsors of President Bush
| Friday May 21, 2004 - A large sign reminds us of a quote from George W. Bush, made on April 30, 2004: “There are no longer torture chambers or rape rooms or mass-graves in Iraq”. The text on a black coffin informs us that 1,200 civilians died during the month of April in the war in Iraq. President George W. Bush greets travellers with a machinegun outside a Belgian railway station. Hooded Iraqi prisoners stand still and confront the travellers with the gruesome reality in Iraqi prisons. |
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With this street-theatre, the Belgian NGO For Mother Earth renews its call to boycott Exxon-Mobil, Chevron-Texaco, Pepsico, Coca Cola Company, Altria (Kraft/Philip Morris) and McDonalds, all corporate sponsors of the George W. Bush election campaign. Flyers of the international Boycott Bush network also remind the public that no weapons of mass destruction were found in Iraq, while the U.S. possesses an estimated 10.600 nuclear warheads.
The peace campaigners denounce the western media, which rarely gives attention to the thousands of Iraqi civilian victims. According to a report from Medact, UK affiliate of IPPNW (International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War), between 7,800-9,600 Iraqi civilians have already been killed since the start of the war in March 2003. The organisation also gives a number for the total of deaths (both citizens and Iraqi soldiers) of between 21,700 and 55,000 for the first six months of the war (1). According to Iraq Body Count there are already between 9,137-10,994 civilian victims (2). According to the Associated Press news agency, in the month of April 2004 alone 1,200 Iraqi people were killed (3). On May 16 2004, the U.S. counted 777 of its troops amongst the victims of the war, according to the Center for Public Opinion and Democracy. These U.S. military victims get a lot more attention in the media.
The peace campaigners do not want to stand on the sidelines and watch the death toll rise. With their action, they want to encourage people to take part in a daily protest against the American occupation of Iraq, through a targeted boycott of six important financial supporters of President Bush’s election campaign. According to the campaign group, the boycott enables people to do something in their daily life against the brutal unilateral politics of Washington. They are part of an international network of NGOs in over 40 countries, which calls for a targeted boycott of six U.S. companies who support the election campaign with large sums of money.
The following companies, targeted for the boycott, are large financial contributors to Republican Party election funds:
- Altria (Philip Morris, Marlboro, Kraft) donated $6.530.000
- Exxon-Mobil (Esso) donated $2.470.000
- Texaco-Chevron donated $2.200.000
- Pepsico donated $1.940.000
- Coca Cola Company donated $860.000
- Mc Donalds donated $640.000
Figures from 2000 to April 2004
Source: Center for Responsive Politics http://www.opensecrets.org
A recent opinion poll conducted by NOP World shows that U.S. brands are currently suffering around the world due to Bush foreign policy. With the boycott, For Mother Earth wants to support, and increase, this shift away from U.S. products.
The following figures illustrate this trend (Source: De Finaciële Morgen- De Morgen p15, May 11, 2004)
| 1. Going to McDonalds in 2003 and 2004: |
2. Buying Nike products in 2003 and 2004 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
These numbers are encouraging for the international boycott campaigners who met for the first time during the World Social Forum in Mumbai, India, last January. http://www.boycottbush.org
And finally: For Mother Earth is urgently seeking financial support to continue the campaign. Money that consumers save on U.S. products are welcome at account number 001-2055174-14 of For Mother Earth with message 'Boycott Bush Campaign'
For Mother Earth started this weekly protest last 14th April 2004. They plan to meet every week between 5 and 6 pm.
- Report on civilian victims in Iraq, MedAct
http://www.medact.org/tbx/pages/sub.cfm?id=775 - Iraq Body Count
http://www.iraqbodycount.net - AP report states at least 1,200 Iraq dead in April 2004
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4031177,00.html
Press contact: Pol D'Huyvetter +32 495-28 02 59
Consumers send 'warning sign' to US brands
Coca-Cola:
among brands to suffer 'erosion of support'
by Patrick Barrett
– The Guardian – Tuesday May 11, 2004
Declining respect for American cultural values exacerbated by the crisis in Iraq is having a potentially disastrous effect on the image of US brands such as McDonald's, Coca-Cola, Nike and Microsoft, a new worldwide study of consumer attitudes has found. The number of people who like and use US branded products has fallen significantly over the past year, while brands perceived to be non-American have remained relatively stable.
According to NOP World, which carried out the survey, a mixture of America's controversial involvement in Iraq, its handling of the "war against terrorism", corporate scandals such as WorldCom and its failure to sign up to the Kyoto environmental agreement, have all had a profoundly negative affect on the perception of US culture and its major brands.
Tom Miller, the managing director of NOP World, said worsening attitudes to the county's products could damage US business. "It's not like there's a massive boycott," said Miller. "Instead, it seems to be an erosion of support. It's not falling off the face of the earth, but it is clearly a warning sign for brands."
NOP found the popularity and consumption of US products had declined for the first time since the research programme was launched in 1998.
Until 2002, NOP found that brands such as McDonald's and Coca-Cola were notching up healthy annual growth in terms of use and familiarity in international markets.
However, last year NOP discovered that the growth in popularity of all major consumer brands - including those from Europe and Asia - had stalled. Over the past 12 months the positive trend has gone into reverse, with US products hardest hit.
NOP found that the number of non-American consumers who "trust" Coca-Cola had fallen from 55% to 52%, while McDonald's rating had slipped from 36% to 33%, Nike's from 56% to 53% and Microsoft had fallen from 45% to 39%.
When people were asked about brands associated with "honesty", Coca-Cola was found to have declined from 18% to 15%, McDonald's from 19% to 14%, Nike from 14% to 11% and Microsoft from 18% to 12%.
The total number of consumers worldwide who "use" US brands was found to have fallen from 30% to 27%, while non-American brands remained stable at 24%.
The NOP annual study covers 30,000 people in markets around the world, and the latest survey was conducted between January and March - a period marked by the growing crisis in Iraq.
It also found the decline in interest and respect for US products was reflected in consumers' view of American cultural values.
The percentage of consumers that believed honesty was an important attribute of American culture was found to be below 50% in a number of major markets such as France, Italy, Germany, Spain and Turkey.
In Germany, only 31% of consumers believed honesty was an American cultural attribute and in Saudi Arabia just 23% thought so.
While consumers in Muslim countries such as Egypt, Turkey and Saudi Arabia were found to be least likely to share American cultural values, NOP also found people in a number of major European markets felt their own values were significantly different to American ones.
Compared with consumers in countries such as Venezuela, Taiwan, the Philippines, Brazil and Australia - over 75% of whom say they share American values - just 65% of UK consumers say they share US values.
In Italy and France 63% of people felt aligned with US culture, while in Germany just 55% did so.
At the same time a growing number of consumers around the world were found by NOP to believe that some positive elements of American culture such as internationalism, altruism and tolerance have declined.
March 20th - International Day of Protest
Brussels, March 20th 2004 - During the anti-war demonstration in Brussels activists of For Mother Earth attracted a lot of media-attention with a funeral procession. Here in Brussels we were 6000, despite terrible weather with lots of rain and wind. A black coffin was carried by George W. Bush, Mr. Death and two US marines all armed with guns. The coffin was marked with the number of fatalities since the start of the war in Iraq one year ago.
Amongst
the dead are 8,581 Iraqi civilians, 13,500 Iraqi soldiers and 571 US soldiers.
The coffin also carried the logos of six important donors to George W.
Bush and his Republican Party: McDonalds, Chevron/Texaco, Philip Morris/Kraft,
Exxon-Mobil, Coca Cola Company and PepsiCo. The McDonalds restaurant near
the Brussels stock-exchange building closed its door when the activists
picketed its front door. For Mother Earth believes that these new anti-war
demonstrations are not enough to stop US unilateralism. "We need direct
actions which stop business-as -usual. The boycott is the ideal method"
according to a spokesperson. The activists received lots of sympathy.
Today the international boycott network also organized actions amonst
others in Auckland (NZ), Tokyo, Mumbai, Delhi en Kolkota (India), Rawalpindi,
Bahrain, Cairo, Vienna, Copenhagen, Rome while several Exxon-Mobil petrol
stations were visited in the US state of Vermont. This morning there was
also an action at a Esso petrol station in Hasselt, in the east of Belgium.
The activists stress that there actions are not anti-american. "We work
together with US citizens for another America" according to a boycott
campaigner.
Pictures from the boycott action during the Brussels demonstration against the war can be found on here and Indymedia Belgium
Latest news - 300 hundred arrests in Mumbai
Mumbai March 20th 2004 - The boycott action started at 4:30 pm (Indian standard time) at Hutatma chok near Churchghate Station. More than 300 protesters & volunteers turned up on the streets, shouting out slogans and holding their placards. The protesters gathered an even more number of commuters making the whole protest look like a massive rally. The following was the messages on the placards: "Wanted! George W. Bush for crimes against humanity and the planet", "US War Crimes Sponsored by Marlboro", "Boycotting Marlboro reduces war victims" etc. The protesters were comparing Bush with Hitler and ordering Bush to leave occupation of Iraq. Coco cola and Pepsi were not spared either.
The whole campaign was attracting a lot of journalist. Few of the campaigners were also giving brief interviews to the press. As the campaign started to get a lot of heat, the police started to arrest people. They started it by arresting the person who was talking to the press; the innocent protester was resisting the arrest when suddenly he was over powered by 6 to 7 policemen. Similarly a woman was also arrested. Many volunteers were pulled to the police trucks by their legs with their bodies lying down on the rough and hot ground. Even after the protesters were arrested, they kept on shouting the slogans. It was as if their own brothers, sisters and children's had suffered in the WAR.
Also the boycott action coordinator, Mr. Manish Kumar, and one of the volunteers Mr. Chandan Chaturvedi along with about 300 volunteers were arrested and taken to the police station near Mumbai Central station.
We keep you posted about the events in Mumbai.
Click Here For Pictures
New War Profiteer Website Launched on Anniversary of Iraq Invasion
Oakland, CA, March 19, 2004: Exactly one year after the United States launched the dawn invasion of Iraq, war profiteering by multinational companies is at an all-time high with military contractors dramatically boosting revenues by 19% over 2002.
Today Corpwatch, an Oakland, California, based non-profit is launching a brand new version of the popular War Profiteers website to track these military contractors on a regular basis. The website, which can be found at http://warprofiteers.com, is the one-stop shop for communities, citizens, taxpayers, policy makers, media, students and activists to learn about the new merchants of global conflict.
"Profiting from killing is wrong. What makes it even more outrageous is that taxpayers have to foot the bill. We intend to investigate these abuses and inform the public about what these companies are doing. This new website will be the premier place for the pubic to find out what is happening behind the scenes of the so-called war on terrorism," said Pratap Chatterjee, program director at Corpwatch.
Today one in ten personnel in the 2003 invasion of Iraq come from private industry, a dramatic ten-fold increase over the previous Gulf War in 1991. Not only were most of these employees drawn from the biggest military contractors in the United States: the company that won the most new work was the company that the Vice-President Dick Cheney headed up before he took office: Halliburton Corporation and its subsidiaries (e.g., Kellogg, Brown, and Root) have won over $8 billion in contracts. Their military revenue in 2003 of $3.9 billion was a staggering 700% higher than the previous year!
The new website will feature weekly updates and regular investigative features from our new military researcher, Adam Clay Thompson, based in Washington DC. A special "Focus on Iraq" section will provide the latest news about companies profiting from the continued occupation of that country, continuing Corpwatch's award winning coverage of companies like Halliburton and Bechtel.
In addition, it will have selected profiles of major war profiteers and explanations of the main sectors: weapons making, security, intelligence, military logistics, reconstruction, policy & planning, multilateral and bilateral finance and the mineral extraction industry. The website will also offer updated factsheets, action items and a calendar of events.
The War Profiteers web site was originally created to distribute the popular War Profiteer deck of cards, which has sold over 10,000 sets to date. This deck will is available for a donation to the Ruckus Society, one of the original creators of this popular game.
Corpwatch mission: CorpWatch counters corporate-led globalization through education, network-building and activism. We work to foster democratic control over corporations by building a diverse movement for human rights and dignity, labor rights and environmental justice.
GO TO: http://warprofiteers.com
CorpWatch
1611 Telegraph Avenue., #702
Oakland, CA 94612 USA
Tel: + 1 510-271-8080
http://www.corpwatch.org
People's Forum Against Coca Cola
In India over 500 protesters rallied against Coca Cola's operations in India under the banner People's Forum Against CocaCola. The protesters are drawing attention to Coca Cola's underground water mining operations. Communities around Coca Cola's bottling plants are experiencing severe water shortages. Full Text of Press Release.
CEOs of Pepsico, Sony Corporation and WPP concerned about public opinion
During the World Economic Forum in Davos a main session which was overbooked and participation closed was about Global Brands at risk. In this session Michael White, chairman and CEO of Pepsico, Martin Sorell, group CEO of WPP and Howard Stringer, CEO of Sony Corportation have talked particulary on how global geopolitical events will shape and affect the global brands through public opinion.
Arundhati Roy calls to boycott major US corporations
that are profiting from the destruction of Iraq
Speech at the Opening of the Mumbai World Social Forum,
16 January 2004
See Full Article Click
Here © Arundhati Roy
Bush's Iraq an Appointocracy by Naomi Klein
This courage deserves our support. Last week, at the World Social Forum in Mumbai, India, author and activist Arundhati Roy called on the global forces that opposed the Iraq war to “become the global resistance to the occupation.” She suggested choosing “two of the major corporations that are profiting from the destruction of Iraq” and targeting them for boycotts and civil disobedience. See Full [ Article ]
Pepsi returns to Iraq after 13 years
By Cecile Feuillatre in Baghdad - January 16, 2004 http://news.com.auBAGHDAD Soft Drinks chief executive officer Hamid Jassim Khamis has returned from New York and he is fizzing with excitement. After 13 years of UN sanctions his firm is back in the PepsiCo fold.
The US soft drinks giant signed a franchise agreement last week with Baghdad Soft Drinks, Iraq's leading producer, authorising it to produce and distribute Pepsi, Seven-Up and Mirinda in central Iraq.
Baghdad Soft Drinks Company first became a Pepsi franchisee in 1984. However that relationship ended in 1990 when PepsiCo had to pull out of Iraq after the invasion of Kuwait and the imposition of international trade sanctions on Saddam Hussein's regime.
Iraqis in the meantime have had to make do with imitations of varying quality.
"I am really happy," said Khamis. "PepsiCo officials told us 'you are back in the family' and have shown a real willingness to help us."
See also News Archive 2003
Last update : October 2004 • Campaign and Press Enquiries