Coke meeting fizzles

By Dianne Mathiowetz

May 4, 2012

The Campaign to Stop Killer Coke partnered with Occupy Atlanta, the International Action Center and other organizations to stage a two-prong action at the annual Coca-Cola stockholders’ meeting, held at the Cobb Galleria in suburban Atlanta on April 25.

CEO Muhtar Kent, whose pay tops almost $30 million a year, presided over a tightly run program, complete with flashy videos; a recorded message from billionaire Warren Buffet, who controls over 200 million shares of Coke stock; and a guest appearance by hip-hop artist Will.i.am of the Black-Eyed Peas.

Despite extremely tight security, dozens of voices rang out from the audience declaring, “You lie,” after Kent made multiple falsehoods and misrepresentations. He denied any and all charges of racist labor practices at New York plants, involvement with union repression and killings in Colombia, contributing to environmental degradation and pollution, and promoting sugar-laden beverages to children. Most of the limited questions allowed during the meeting challenged a wide range of Coca-Cola policies and practices.

Following the stockholders’ meeting, a protest was held outside the international headquarters of Coca-Cola. Demonstrators chanted, “Unthinkable! Undrinkable! Boycott Coke!”

For more information, go to killercoke.org.