9/27/2006

Mexico City. - Protesting for the non-chalant attitude taken by Coca Cola FEMSA regarding Roberto Mendoza, ex-manager who accuses the company for having discriminated him due to his homosexual orientation, congressman David Sanchez-Camacho- openly gay- and the leader of liberal political party ALTERNATIVA’s Mexico City Chapter, Jesus Robles-Maloof headed the symbolic closure of their Multinational Corporate offices today.

Mendoza, a Mechanical engineer by trade, claims to have generated savings of over US$ 40 millions during this seven year tenure at Coca Cola FEMSA. Last year he sued the largest beverage bottler in Latin America, both in Civil and Criminal courts. Civil Judge handling the case, Roberto Rojo González, could render a verdict in about two weeks.

Federal Congressman, Sánchez-Camacho, for the left wing, Partido de la Revolución Democrática (PRD), who recently assumed office after elections this past July 2d., lead the demonstration and seriously questioned Coca Cola FEMSA’s actions. The company’s main corporate offices are in one of the most exclusive business sectors in town.

Local President of ALTERNATIVA political party, Robles-Maloof, who retained its registered status after the July Presidential elections and has backed gay marriage and pro-choice initiatives, has also openly declared in favor of Mendoza’s legal battle vs. said Multinational.

Via a formal communicate, the Party asked the company to admit having discriminated Mendoza.

“ALTERNATIVA considers that Coca-Cola FEMSA is in front of a very important opportunity, through which they could vindicate themselves in front of the Mexican gay population and its society in general as an inclusive Company, respectful of human rights as per our Constitution and other relevant laws”.

The Mexico City Gay Pride Organization Committee also emitted a statement, which was distributed both nationally and internationally, in which they emphatically endorse Mendoza’s legal crusade vs. Coca Cola FEMSA.

“Discrimination affects all population sectors, including Companies. We expect Coca Cola FEMSA’s top management to understand, once and for all, as well as US based parent company The Coca Cola Company, that they have committed a terrible social mistake in Mexico. Our peer, Mendoza Ralph, has all our encouragement”, said the President of said organization in their communication.

The document goes on to say, that Mendoza’s fight constitutes, with out a doubt an example to follow, an inspiration to new generations and that because of this courage in denouncing the denigration he was subject to makes a milestone in the Mexican GLBT civil rights movement, in labor and moral damage related issues.

Mendoza has set up the following web site: www.cocadiscrimina.com, with information about his case against Coca Cola FEMSA.