Coca-Cola speaks out (finally) against Georgia 'religious freedom' bill

[Newsjock]

Source: Georgia Voice

It’s the last day of the Georgia legislative session and there are still chances for the “religious freedom” bill to pop up as an amendment to another bill. So nothing is final until midnight.

But the last day of the session brings Coca-Cola to (kind of) finally make a statement against the controversial bill as businesses all over the country are decrying a similar bill that was passed and signed into law in Indiana.

Here’s the statement from Coca-Cola:

Coca-Cola does not support any legislation that discriminates, in our home state of Georgia or anywhere else. Coca-Cola values and celebrates diversity. We believe policies that would allow a business to refuse service to an individual based upon discrimination of any kind, does not only violate our Company’s core values, but would also negatively affect our consumers, customers, suppliers, bottling partners and associates. As a business, it is appropriate for us to help foster diversity, unity and respect among all people.

We advocate for inclusion, equality and diversity through both our policies and practices. Coca-Cola does not condone intolerance or discrimination of any kind anywhere in the world.

Read more: http://thegavoice.com/coca-cola-speaks-out-finally-against-religious-freedom-bill/

[Thinkingabout]

1. Good for them, a good path to defeating RW NJ laws, thanks.

[Cha]

2. Good! mahalo Newsjock

[yuiyoshida]

3. Good News..

NewsJock, arigatou!

[merrily]

4. Okay, Coke released a statement last year and a month ago and has

now released a stronger statement than it released a month ago.

As the writer acknowledges, seemingly reluctantly, in the last line of the story, Coke has been a MAJOR sponsor of Atlanta Pride for MANY years. .

And, yes, Coca-Cola has been a major sponsor of Atlanta Pride for many years, including a huge presences (sic) in the annual parade.

I don't know for certain, but sponsoring the Atlanta parade may be more controversial than sponsoring the New York or Boston gay pride parades and Atlanta is its headquarters, so it is open to retaliation there in more than words.


Because of the &quot finally)" in the headline, my knee jerk was to post cursing Coke. Having now read the story, I can't be that mad.

I have other issues with Coke, related to the ingredients in its product, but it seems to be doing okay vis a vis the Georgia legislature.

[Politicalboi]

5. I wish we would of had a chance to see

How many more red states would have done the same if no one spoke up right away. If they all did it on the same day. I WANT to know what states to avoid. Arkansas ONLY changed their mind because of the boycotts in Indiana. I would have loved to see more red states in turmoil over stupidity.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

6. Delta Air Lines has also come out against the GA "religious freedom" law.

Delta is the largest employer in Georgia. http://www.thestreet.com/story/13097158/1/american-delta-speak-out-on-religious-freedom-laws-immigration.html

However, the GA legislature may attempt to retaliate against Delta for this by eliminating the state's tax subsidy on jet fuel, which would primarily hurt Delta. "Its sponsor, Rep. Earl Ehrhart (R), makes no secret of the fact that the bill is retribution for Delta CEO Richard Anderson’s recent history of weighing in on public affairs, including last year’s version of RFRA." http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2015/03/28/3640249/no-the-georgia-rfra-is-not-dead-yet/

[Are_grits_groceries]

7. Coke carries a big stick in Georgia. nt