The branch manager agreed to initiate a dialogue between the protesters and Coca Cola’s management. Coca Cola has a history of refusing to talk to campaign groups or even acknowledging any wrongdoing. The office’s manager argued that the events in Columbia were caused by ‘cultural differences.’ Interestingly, the protestors were told that two weeks ago the office workers had been briefed about the allegations made against Coca Cola, and were told that things were ‘getting better’ and were as a result of misunderstandings.

However, the situation for union activists in Columbia seems to get worse as only 3 days ago, on Tuesday morning April 12th at 4.30am, Luis Miguel Gomez, the regional leader of the agricultural workers trade union FENSUAGRO in the department of Sucre, was taken away by military personnel. Forcing their way into his home (where he was sleeping with his family) in the village of Ojitos in the Coloso area of Sucre department, with no arrest warrant and members of the military unit known for involvement in the disappearance of peasant organisers in Sucre department in the past. On this occasion it is believed that his life may be in danger.

The Boycott Coca Cola Campaign has gone from strength to strength over the last few months. Unison, Britain’s largest union, voted in support of the boycott at it’s last national conference and will break all its contracts with the company. Other unions are expected to join the boycott, while various colleges and universities are to withdraw Coca Cola products due to ongoing pressure from its student unions, environmental campaigns and human right groups all over the UK.

Support the boycott! More info + action material at;
www.colombiasolidarity.org.uk

A donation to the boycott campaign can be made at;
 http://www.veggies.org.uk/arc/event.php?ref=206

Colombia Solidarity Night Tonight in Nottingham

Live music from Grain, playing KuFung-Hillbilly-Funk and DJ Jaz. Suggested donation £2.50. Includes cheap Havana Club! Starts 8pm. At the Forest Fields Social Club at the Sumac Centre, 245 Gladstone St, Forest Fields, Nottingham, NG7 6HX, 0848 485 9595, sumac.org.uk. Guests and members welcome.

Also available will be products distributed by Sumac & Veggies in direct solidarity with the producers, including:
Cafe Rebelde Zapatista - from the indigenous peoples of Mexico.
Zaytoun Olive Oil - distributed for the Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committees.
Quibla Cola - the real alternative to globalisation.