Boycott of Starbucks?

[Roosesvelte]

Would that be a good start applying pressure to Uganda?

[Unvanguard]

1. Why Starbucks? n/t

[Sebastian Doyle]

3. Because that's where they buy their beans.

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1661227,00.html

Of course that would probably impact the farmers who grow the beans more than it would the homophobic assholes that run the country.

[uppityperson]

2. How would boycotting Starbucks apply pressure to Uganda? nt

[doc03]

4. You boycott an American company and put Americans

out of work to somehow help Uganda. Starbucks is one of the few companies in retail that provide health insurance for their workers.

[FreeState]

5. Starbucks buys very little if any Ugandan Coffee...

In 2007 they announced talks to import more coffee from Africa - however thats changed in the last couple years - they closed a lot of stores and now offer Pikes Place blend as a basic coffee in every store with 1 other type rotating (all use to rotate).

In fact Starbucks isn't even listed as a buyer in October 2009.

http://www.ugandacoffee.org/files/pdf/01-October_2009_rpt.pdf

5. BUYERS OF UGANDA COFFEE
Table 5.0 beneath represents buyers of Uganda coffee during the month of October 2009 in terms of volume and percentage marketshare. The top 10 buyers together held a market share of almost 68.7% down from 74% in September, 70% in August, 73.6% in July and 73.2% in June. Ecom Agro industrialists continues to top the list with 26,855 bags (13.5%) more less similar to 26,626 bags – 13.4% recorded in the previous month.

TABLE 5.0 BUYERS OF UGANDA COFFEE IN OCTOBER 2009: 60-kilo bags
BUYERS

Ecom Agro Industrialists
Bernard Rothfos
Sucafina
Socadec
Volcafe
Tata Coffee
Hamburg Coffee
Aldwami
Icona Café
Decotrade
Webcor
ABACO
Olam International
Guzman
Cofftea (Sudan)
Coffee Select
Louis Dreyfus

[Roosesvelte]

8. I guess I have old information

What started my thinking, is that pressure on US companies worked in South Africa. I think this approach is valid, any companies in the US that do business with Uganda, should feel pressure from us. In turn, it puts pressure on Uganda. A cup of coffee that can easily be obtained from someone who doesn't import Ugandan beans is a very small sacrifice. Are we treating this as a civil rights issue or not?

[stray cat]

6. No - why punish your friend

[chollybocker]

7. I've boycotted Starbucks since they opened.

And yet, the killings continue. What have I done wrong? :eyes:

[we can do it]

9. No Thank You