Stephen Von Sychowski
Communist Party of Canada
Prince George Collective
Your probably thinking "oh great, what have we here? A lecture on health?" Well you can relax; this article isn't on the negative effects of Coca-Cola on your body. Or at least not about the effects of the product. The company, on the other hand, can be extremely harmful. If you happen to be a unionist in Columbia. In which case Cokes goons may intimidate, torture, or even murder you if you stand in their way.
Most readers are probably now thinking to themselves that this is a joke, or a trick. But I assure you, it is not. Coca-Cola paramilitary death squads do exist in Columbia, a country that is over-run with right-wing paramilitary groups that terrorize the populace. In the year 2000, 129 unionists were murdered. Paramilitary groups also clash with FARC and ELN rebels who are attempting to overthrow the right-wing government and establish a Communist republic. The United States directly aids the Columbian government in the civil war against FARC and ELN. Although the paramilitary death squads are outlawed in writing, it is well known that the Columbia armed forces co-operates and works with the death squads. Recently negotiations between the Columbian government, death squads, and prominent Columbian clergymen have begun, and may lead to the legalization of death squads. The Prensa Latina news agency states that Cardinal Pedro Rubiano, president of the Colombian Episcopal Conference (CEC), confirmed that some bishops met with the highest ranking death squad officers to explore a possible agreement.
Of course, not all the paramilitary death squads are run by Coca-Cola, but it is know that they use paramilitaries to deal with opposition to the work conditions in their plants. An International Tribunal will take place on December 5-7, to put Coca-Cola on trial for their crimes against unionists in Columbia. The International Action Center will provide media coverage of these events, try to broaden publicity of the events, and publish daily reports on the tribunal. Harassment by the Colombian authorities will lead to widespread protest. A large protest is already planned for the morning of December 5th, in front of the gates of the Coca-Cola bottling plant. The Prince George collective of the Communist Party of Canada fully supports the actions of the tribunal and the IAC against corporate oppression.
Contact info for the IAC
Letters of solidarity can be sent to the tribunal at either, or all, of these addresses.
sinaltrainaldinal@hotmai.com,audpubcoka@hotmail.com,iacenter@action-mail.org
Messages in Spanish or English will be accepted.
For press information in the United States call Tony Murphy at 212-633-6646.
For information on the response network call Deirdre Sinnott at 212-633-6646.
www.iacenter.org
International Action Center
39 West 14th St., #206
NY, NY 10011
212-633-6646
http://www.iacenter.org
iacenter@iacenter.org