How to boycott Topeka, Kansas over de-criminalizing domestic violence...

[Rabblevox]

As most of you know, Topeka has just de-criminzalized domestic violence, and are releasing perpetrators without charge.

This is shocking, shameful, and horrifying.

First thing to do is call them, express your outrage, tell them you will drive 500 miles out of your way to avoid spending a dime in Kansas.

Phone numbers:

http://www.topeka.org/pdfs/City_phone_guide.pdf

City Council: 913-368-3710

City Manager: 913-368-3725

Public Information Officer: 913-368-1642

Boycotts, not so easy, Topeka isn't exactly a world-class hub.

Biggest local businesses to boycott are Payless Shoes, Hills Pet Food, Frito-Lay (a division of Pepsi), and Goodyear Rubber and Tires. Contact them, and tell them clearly you will purchase none of their products until this shameful law is overturned.
(note, I got this info from a Wiki article, so I can't 100% vouch for it's accuracy, but it seems a good place to start)

http://www.payless.com/store/home/customerservice.jsp

http://www.hillspet.com/contact-us.html

http://www.fritolay.com/about-us/contact-us.html

https://www.goodyear.com/en-US/company/contact-us

[RaleighNCDUer]

1. It is so ass-backwards.

If it is so significant a problem that is has a direct effect on the city budget, it is a reason to KEEP it on the books, not to remove it.

OTOH, what would the cost savings be if marijuana prosecutions ended? Nobody gets hurt. Nobody gets killed. More people getting mellow.

They are letting the violent people go free so they can afford to imprison pot smokers.

[formercia]

3. Nice docile Pot smokers for the Prison Industrial Complex

Assholes have to go to the State Prisons, the privatized work houses only want the prisoners that will turn them a profit.

[MineralMan]

2. So, you're suggesting boycotting of national companies over

a local law issue? How is that going to help? They have no influence on what happens in local governments. Yes, there are outlets or branches of those companies in Topeka, but they are not the company headquarters. Boycotts, to be effective, have to target an entire business which has some influence in the matter. That is not the case with these businesses.

[Rabblevox]

7. Hills and Payless Shoes are based in Topeka, the others are the largest employers making products...

marketed nationally.

If you really don't think they can have a strong influence on local politics, then I guess I kind of pity you.

[MineralMan]

11. You pity me? Well, OK...

Your pity is noted. Boycotting national companies over a local issue is a waste of time, and is guaranteed to be ineffective. Boycotts are effective when the company is doing something on a national level that supports something you want ended. Companies that do business on a national or global basis pay no attention to local boycotts and have nothing to do with what ordinances are passed by some city. Therefore, they have no real influence or concern about the matter. What you're suggesting is a useless gesture.

[LonePirate]

4. The Topeka area code is 785 not 913, in case you want to disseminate correct info.

[Rabblevox]

5. Thank you for the correction. Unfortunately it came too late to edit my OP. /nt

[MineralMan]

6. Deleted

Written before the OP's reply.

[Rabblevox]

8. Does your snark serve a purpose? I acknowledged my error, and stated up-front that the info came...

from an unverified source.

If I would have caught it in time, I would have changed the OP, but it was pointed out too late. I did what I could, while you seem content to remain on the sidelines and piss in the Kool-Aid.

[MineralMan]

10. I was writing that post at the same time you posted, so

I didn't see your post. I've edited my post to reflect that.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

9. Those are national companies... why boycott them?

Half aren't even HQ'ed in Topeka. How are they responsible/influential on the topic of domestic violence?
Hell you might as well as add every fast food restaraunt to your (laughable) "boycott list" too. :eyes:
And ebay too. And craigslist. And... OHmiGAWD!!! there's Kansans on DU and a whole KANSAS subforum!!!! :scared:

Shit... I've got to sign of DU immedia-

[Rabblevox]

12. It's really simple. Here's boycott 101...

Boycotts work. If they are done right, it gets the message to people who can influence change in a way that protests do not.

Two of the corps I listed are based in Topeka (Hills and Payless) the others have major manufacturing centers there, and cumulativly are responsible for about 20% of local employment.

Do I need to remind you that lettuce boycotts in California, orange boycotts in Florida, and nation-wide student boycotts of Taco Bell have worked?

I make no claim that this is the only tactic to be used. I DO, however, claim that it is a valid tactic to let Topeka know that what they have done is completely unacceptable, a-historical, counter-productive, and will hi them where it hurts.

If you've got a better idea, I'm all ears.