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Updates From the Field- Round
3
These are field updates from just a few of the
many leafleting events that took place during OCA's Global Week
of Action against Starbucks 9/17-9/27/2001
Fairbanks, AK
Most shoppers were receptive to info on bovine growth hormone.
the coffee issue was a non plus. all brochures given out out and
asked to leave store.
Prunedale, CA
I just got back from leafleting my local Starbucks in Prunedale
Ca. I have great news. My daughter and I leafleted on Thurs afternoon
for a couple of hours. It turned out that my daughter went to school
with the shift manager on duty that day and she was very supportive.
We arrived early the next morning ( fri 9/21) to continue talking
to customers. We were pleasantly surprised to find that they were
featuring Fair Trade Coffee as one of their coffee of the day. (Yahoo!!!).
I could not find out what prompted the change. I don't know if it
was because of our presence the day before, or if the shift manager
decided on her own to brew Fair Trade or if this was a corporation
change because of all the stores being targeted. Regardless it sure
pumped us up. The customers were ordering it and were very happy.
When they left the store they were thanking us left and right. I
will try and return to the store for more leafleting this weekend
if possible. I will fill out the tracking form and send it in as
soon as possible. Thank You for the great program
Santa Monica, CA
I went out Sun 11:15am and stayed until flyers were out (save
two)1:25pm I am not sure how many Loranda sent me 150?
Anyway, response was very postive (my sign read "buy organic")
I said to passerbys, "learn about ge food and Starbucks trade
policies" for the most part. Only one guy said anything about
the war: "I care about the war", I wasn't quick thinking
enough to say "we have something in common".
I will make a few hundred copies for the World Fest on Sun, Sept
30th.
Sherman Oaks, CA
I thought you would be interested in knowing about my leafleting
at Starbucks in Sherman Oaks. I was the only person to show up
so I was alone for the 2 days. I worked from 11:00 to 4:00 and
then ran out of leaflets.
The majority of people were interested in knowing about Starbucks
and all of them stated that they didn't have a clue what about Starbucks.
A few people said that they knew it wasn't a good company but now
they certainly wouldn't be back. I would say at least 15-20 people
turned away and went to other coffee places. A few people couldn't
care less but most did listen.
Starbucks called the police on me twice. The first officer said
that Starbucks wanted me off their property but he explained to
them that it was my right to be there but that I had to stand and
not sit. The second officer asked to to keep moving and not stand
in one place too long.(It was 105 degrees) The employees were pretty
nasty about it all. Oh well.
I thought you would like to know that after the Towers came down
in New York that Starbucks was charging the firefighters for water
that they drank.
Chicago, IL
I leafletted on Saturday for 1and 1/2 hours outside of a Starbucks
near where I live..pretty liberal area... I got 99% interested/positive
responses...most people took a flyer, asked a question, and said
"oh yeah right, thanks!"....or "what can I do?"...a
couple people approaced ME about the flyers and started up a conversation...there
were several people who said "ugh, i really dont' like coming
here anyway..." and the grand finale: A man who took the
cake..a chemist from the M corporation...you know 'that" corporation...who
railed on me for "not having a clue about what we/I was talking
about....that I was completely in the dark, and people like us
couldn't be trusted with information, .....that rBGH "didn't
matter" that there were "other things" that they
needed to be worried about for us, evidently...like the population
boom.... When I brought up Michael Taylor, and the inquiries from
a few congress people that had met a deadend with the FDA, he said,
"you bet we need to keep information out of the hands of people
like you....who have no idea what you are talking about...and
we'll continue to do so" He really got in my face. I stayed
calm and said that if we coudn't converse, instead of him yelling
at me, then I had nothing more to say to him. He quieted down and
simply hashed over the same thing about the "population explosion"...so
I said, hey, what if you supported fair trade coffee...so that
people were paid a living wage so that they didn't have to feell
they needed to have a large family to survive, or that maybe it
would enable women to educate themselves, and wait to have children,
and have less of them, etc.... He said, and I quote: "That's
rubbish...all i care about is ME, and that's all that counts"
So, I guess rBGH is simply another way M Corporatioin is endeavoring
to "control" the population????? my GOD!!!! anyway.
I'll be recoordinating people for this week and next for flyering...
Louisville, KY
Things in Louisville went fine last Tues. There were two of us
demonstrating. We had a few angry responses. Eight policemen stood
by. I have some remaining flyers and will hand them out this week
or next at one of the local Starbucks, either downtown or in Prospect,
a neighboring town. Can you have mailed to me a couple of the OCA
Food Agenda 2010 sign up sheets ? Local health food stores and
farmers market vendors would like to have.
Minneapolis, MN
I arrived and went inside and gave a person behind the counter
(the mgr. was not on duty) my business card and one of the leaflets
and told her I would be leafleting outside.
We leafleted for about 1 1/2 hours. Great reception no press,
no cops. One woman rolled down the window of her van and asked me
to give her one of the leaflets. We heard many time "I don't
go into Starbuck$ anyway."
After being there about 20 mins the woman I gave the leaflet to
inside came out with a gallon of Kemps Select on tow and wanted
to know why I was telling folks that they served rBGH milk. I congratulated
her on serving the milk at this location but we wanted it to be
a store wide rule. She also said that they "occasionally"
sell the Fair Trade as a coffee of the day. I congratulated her
this occasional good deed but said we want this to be a store wide
policy and it should be done at least once a week. I told her to
keep doing it and do it more often. I Filled her in on over half
of the Faire Trade harvest sitting in warehouses waiting to be bought
and less that 1% of her companies coffee purchases are Fair Trade.
She went back in red faced and angrier than when she came out.
We handed out over 200 or so leaflets in the time we were there.
We also handed out with the SBUX leaflet a small card about Nader
bring at
Northrop Auditorium on Tuesday the 25th.
Stillwater, MN
Just wanted to inform you that four of us leafleted the Starbucks
in Stillwater, MN last Saturday. We are all members of a small,
local grassroots group called Farmer to Farmer which supports a
group of indigenous coffee producers in Guatemala. We have helped
them buy land to grow coffee. We presently buy their green coffee
beans at almost three times the going market price, roast them,
and sell them locally.
The leafleting went fine. Being a saturday we weren't able to
talk to the manager but did let the counter persons know what we
were doing. Most people we talked to were receptive to what we had
to say, surprisingly so I thought. Our approach was to acknowledge
that Starbuck's offered a choice but to encourage the people going
in to ask for and purchase a fair trade coffee so that this choice
could become more prominent. This starbuck's was selling fair trade
coffee brewed as well as by the pound or half pound roasted beans.
We did mention to people the idea of having fair trade coffee be
a coffee of the day. As former small family dairy farmers we of
course mentioned the BGH issue and the need to not have that in
their dairy products. I'm afraid the Genetically Modified food
issue got lowest priority in our conversations with people (it was
there on the leaflet). We zeroed in on one or two issues as we
felt it was too hard to talk in depth with people in that short
of time.
Columbia, MO
On Wednesday of the GWA we stood at the entrance to the University
coffeehouse area and gave fliers to everyone who came in. We had
the consumer alert signs up. We gave a flier to the manager. No
one really gave us any trouble. The next day we made a big sign
and had a petition and more leaflets at a table we had reserved
in another part of the campus, and that drew some people. That
Saturday, 7 of us went to the mall and stood in front of the outside
entrance to the Barnes and Noble with two petitioners, two leafletters,
a banner, and a sign. The banner read: Demand Fair Trade Coffee
wherever Starbucks is sold. We were told to leave after about
20 minutes, but we did manage to give out some leaflets and get
some signatures. The Previous day, I went and spoke with the manager
at the Barnes and Noble cafe (but didn't tell him about our planned
action) who told me that the Barnes and Noble cafe is only allowed
to buy STarbucks coffee and that Starbucks will not allow them
to buy Fair Trade. Anyway, after we were kicked off Mall property
we stood on the sidewalk where you turn into the mall, which didn't
seem that far away, and leafletted cars and displayed our banner.
A media guy drove by and did a really good interview with me. Someone
said they did see us on there, though. So that is what happened.
I think we gave out almost 1100 leaflets total, minus a couple hundred
maybe. Our next step is to speak with managers at the University
and other local cafes.
Rochester, NY
A group totaling 9 people at it's peak (including 4 children) held
signs and passed out leaflets to Starbucks customers and passers-by.
The action lasted two hours and roughly 70 leaflets were given out.
It was a warm, Sunday afternoon, and most of our time was spent
chatting with each other and holding signs out toward the road.
People with enough curiosity to ask, got a quick education on Starbucks,
genetic engineering, and fair trade.
South Euclid, OH
I leafletted Starbucks on Saturday, Sept 22. I think I told you
that I was going to leaflet on Friday, but I couldn't due to an
illness in the family. Anyway, I was there for two hours (11 a.m.
to 1 p.m.). A couple of people shouted rude remarks from their
cars. Between 5 and 10 people asked for information and literature.
After about an hour, a policeman drove up in his car. He said that
an employee and a customer complained that I harassed them. I told
him that other than introducing myself to a store employee, I had
no other contact with any employee that I knew of. He told me
I was only to talk to people that approached me and I stated that
that was what I was doing. He also told me twice that I was welcome
in the store, but not my sign ("No Sweatshop coffee/Pay farmers
a fair price") I had not intended to go into the store.
Portland, OR
Hawthorne location: I leafletted the Starbucks at 1864 Hawthorne
starting at about 10:00. I passed out all of 3 before deciding
I needed more action. I ended up at the store at 1436 SW Park
because it was near the Farmer's Market at PSU. At this locale
I passed out about 25 leaflets and made some real positive contacts
about the whole campaign. I suppose next time I'll brave a less
knowledgeable crowd in the southeast.
Salem and Keizer, OR
The people were all very receptive including staff. They are in
a strip mall so I took all my printed info around to all the businesses
in the mall, beings they probably use Starbucks for their breaks.
Downtown is very busy, so was able to hand out quit a few. South
Salem is also a very busy shop, not as welcome though.
York County,PA
We started at 11:45 a.m. and finished up early afternoon when
we had run out of fliers.The newspaper came early. I did not see
them and was at another end of the shopping center talking with
some very interested folks. In the meantime the paper interviewed
and photographed the Mannos and left.I personally saw nothing in
the paper but had already e-mailed plenty of info.
The store manager was off for the week and not there. We spoke
with the person in the store about the leafletting and why but they
really didn't get it stating that they had organic and soy milk
IF someone asked for it and "Why shouldn't they pay extra?".They
mentioned that they did have Fair Trade coffee one time as the coffee
of the day,but no one liked it (probably was poor quality).I was
told they not only had Fair Trade Coffee that day in their store
for sale but they always had. Told me whoever I spoke with the week
before just didn't know where to look!!
Someone in the store called the police and TWO patrol cars arrived
for THREE of us!! The officers could see that we were not interfering
with business of bothering people. I explained what we were doing
and why. Not only were the officers impressed,but they wanted info
to bring home to their wives! Told me they could find nothing wrong
with what we were doing as we were just excercising our rights,but
asked me later to check with the twp.to be sure I didn't need a
permit. They didn't think I did because we weren't selling anything.
Called later and no problem.
I realized that everyone I spoke with had no idea what was going
on and know nothing about Fair Trade Coffee so I think this was
a start and thank you for sending me the fliers and starting the
Starbucks Campaign. I have since gone a few steps further.
This Sat (29th),the Lancaster Greens had their First Organic Food
Expo. I was already signed up for a stand for Pennsylvania Environmental
Network
where I handed out much info on sludge,CAFOs,rBGH,etc.Guess what
I added? I ordered and SOLD out of 30 lbs. of the most beautiful
and great tasting organic,shade grown, Fair Trade Coffee!! It is
called Peace Coffee and went over very well. Peace Coffee is packaged
beautifully,they sent me some great handouts to use for information
and the owners meet with the coffee farmers and their co-ops. Peace
Coffee farmers get at least $1.26 a lb.for their beans and they
also get paid partly in advance. This is all more then other Fair
Trade growers get. Peace Coffee is a small outfit that is making
a big difference. I plan to get their coffee around to every store
that I can until folks start asking Starbucks if they sell it!!
What's more Peace Coffee has many different kinds and they all taste
great!
Knoxville, TN
Sorry I haven't been keeping in touch but I have been very busy.
I did get the package you sent me; thank you SO much! I'm now working
with this local fair-trade, nonprofit group (TIRN) to get free coffee
from Equal Exchange. I hope that works out alright.
Tuesday, we served coffee again. I wasn't there because I was doing
homework, but I heard it went well. They passed out leaflets and
had people sign our petition. Today, though, we did our big action.
We walked into Starbucks this morning with home-stenciled "Starbucks
Sux" tee shirts. We took up 3 big tables to play several games
of Monopoly - to symbolize that Starbucks is a monopoly. We made
up the rules, though, burning down whole avenues and creating permanent
autonomous zones - it was a lot of fun! Anyway, we brewed fair trade
coffee in Starbucks for ourselves in our trusty coffee maker. The
school newspaper interviewed us and these top administrators came
in and tried to think of a way to kick us out of our own student
study lounge. Obviously, they couldn't find a way because they never
confronted us; they just picked up leaflets off tables and took
them away. It was so much fun. I really wish they would have confronted
us, though, because the media told us they would have someone there
instantly to cover such injustice. We hope to do this again soon
because it is fun and easy. We may even give out free coffee in
there - that would be A LOT of fun.
Could you tell me whether or not it is true that Starbucks uses
prison labor? Also, what is their environmental record?
Arlington, TX
Thought I'd send an update on the 2 stores I've been to so for
this week. In two days I've passed out approx. 300-400 leaflets.
I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong. Are most activists
giving leaflets to ONLY Starbucks customers or to everyone in the
vicinity of the store? It seems that around here most of the stores
are in small strip mall centers, so when I get out to the corner
I encounter everyone that drives by. To me it makes sense to get
out the info to anyone that will read it. Is this your take on
it? Today I went through 200 leaflets in an hour and a half! At
this point I'm out of the leaflets I had, except 4 of them, so I'm
planning to make copies. (Blanking out the union logo.)
Arlington, TX
The overall response was surprisingly positive. Elizabeth leafleted
at the Sbux on North Harrison, yesterday morning. She said many
walked into Starbucks reading the leaflets. She said one woman working
at Sbux came out to ask questions about what is on the leaflet.
She said this woman was upset to find out what her employer was
doing. She said she was going to talk to her manager, and share
her feelings about their practices. Elizabeth said only one person
gave her a hard time about being there, but Elizabeth told the woman
about the suffering coffee growers, and then she seemed to calm
down. So overall it seems to have gone well, and Elizabeth felt
good about it too!
Lynchburg, VA
Leafleting went well. There were only two of us. The manager
of the Starbucks explained that they weren't really Starbucks, they
were Barnes&Noble. I explained that since they served and sold
Starbucks merchandise and coffee, the information pertained to them
and, thus, we were there. So she read the pamphlet, told us she
didn't think the bookstore manager would let us hand them out there
and folded hers and put it in her pocket. She didn't say we had
to leave, so I finished handing pamphlets out to the seated customers.
We left pamphlets on every empty table and at the info table at
the bookstore's entrance. Then I left. My partner stayed handing
out pamphlets at the door. Later she told me she had put a few
on car windsheilds--I'm sorry for that. She didn't know it was
illegal, I hope you don't get any calls. Overall, I was pleased.
I hope you folks are. And, so long as it's OK, I'll continue to
hand out the leftover flyers (there aren't very many) whenever
I am near the store.
Longview, WA
The manager wasn't in but the girl in charge said I couldn't do
it. I explained to her it wasn't against the law and did it. I
handed out 30 to 40 leaflets, (I haven't sat down to figure out
the exact number), and had maybe 5 refuse them. It was a pleasant
sunny Saturday morning and it went well. Oh, one person read it
and said "I can't go in there anymore", and left. I didn't
ask him to but it was interesting. Continued good luck with your
work. I was glad to help.
Olympia, WA
I was extremely polite and emphasized the rBGH issue, as they went
in, or else asked them to check the next time they patronized the
shop. I also somehow got the manager to let me put a stack inside!
One friendly customer had a great suggestion to pass along via your
Web site, maybe. She brought out a bunch of those customer survey
forms that are kept near the register, and from then on anybody
who seemed receptive I gave one of the postage- free letters, also.
Seattle, WA-Belltown store
I went inside Starbucks and gave the mgr one of our flyers, and
told him we were with OCA, and would be passing out this flyer outside
the store. He looked at it and didn't respond. I was surprised at
the briskness of foot traffic, most of whom were NOT going into
the store. The reception was largely warm, and I was able to engage
in dialogue with some. Others simply took the flyer and walked on.
One or two looked at it, and returned it to us. We stayed about
an hour, and passed out almost all the flyers.
Seattle, WA- West Seattle store:
I went into the store and asked if they brewed Fair Trade coffee.
They replied no, that customers didn't like it- it was too bitter.
So, I asked how customers knew that if it was only rotated as coffee
of the day, one day in May. He was a bit stumped and said he would
be happy to brew me a cup. I said great-though I don't drink the
stuff. I also inquired about the organic milk and organic baked
goods. The staff had never heard that they were going to offer
organic baked goods and none in that store. I told them it was posted
on their website. He said he would check into it. I showed him
the flyer and took a comment card with me. During the leafleting,
only 10 people in one hour entered the store. We were there from
11:30-12:30. Of those 10 people going in, all took the leaflet
and listened to us. One woman rode up on her bike and we talked
to her about SBUX policies.
Seattle, WA- Wallingford location
Out of about 40 people in an hours time Monday I had 15 takers
and of an actually counted 93 on Wednesday after voting day 22 took
the fliers. However there were also some sympathetic people who
didn't take a flier, a couple or three Monday and about 10 Wednesday.
Seattle, WA-Wallingford location:
There was a lack of foot traffic, and interest. Surprising, as
the neighborhood is typically labeled as polictically left and
environmental. I did it with my roomate and daughter, who is five.
It was quite disheartening the lack of response we got. One lady
went so far as to even yell at me because she was sick and was trying
to 'control' her environment. I really wanted to tell her she was
probably sick from hanging out at starbuck's too much, but was so
in shock that I maintained composure. There were a couple people,
maybe five, that didn't go into the store because of the leafleting.
Also a few that said "Oh, no problem, I'll boycott them forever!"
Which definitely made our day.
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