John,

Coca-Cola, a company that claims to value diversity, has been revealed as a sponsor of the Canada Strong and Free Regional Networking Conference 2024 later this month. The headliner of the event? None other than notorious neo-segregationist Chris Rufo, who uses his platform to spread racist lies like in the tweet above.1

Rufo is a leader in the far right’s efforts to dismantle diversity initiatives and promote a divisive agenda that seeks to erase the experiences of Black communities.2 His crusade against race-conscious learning in public schools and universities has also led to bans on diversity training in the government sector. Both have had far-reaching consequences for scores of people, especially Black communities. Moreover, his attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives have emboldened others to follow suit, leading to a chilling effect on efforts to promote inclusivity and address systemic inequalities, especially on efforts to increase Black wealth. 

The fact that major corporations including Coca-Cola are sponsoring events featuring Rufo is particularly troubling. Their sponsorship suggests these companies are willing to support and amplify hate speech, divisive ideologies, and dangerous disinformation despite their public commitments to diversity and inclusion. Companies such as Mastercard and SunLife have already withdrawn their sponsorship, and now we’re asking for your help to force Coca-Cola to do the same.3

TELL COCA-COLA: DON'T SPONSOR HATE! [link removed]

It’s also worth noting that, in addition to Rufo, prominent climate change denier Barry Cooper is speaking at the event.4 Like Rufo, Cooper poses a significant threat to our communities, which are disproportionately affected by environmental degradation and pollution. By denying the existence or severity of climate change, people such as Cooper hinder efforts to address critical environmental issues like increased exposure to toxic pollutants, more frequent natural disasters, and limited access to clean air, water, and land, all of which exacerbate health disparities in Black communities.5

It is appalling that Coca-Cola would choose to sponsor an event that promotes such hateful, discriminatory, and downright dangerous ideologies. This decision stands in stark contradiction to the company’s public statements on diversity and inclusion, which it claims are "at the heart of our values and our growth strategy."6

We cannot let Coca-Cola's hypocrisy go unchecked, John. Join us in demanding that Coca-Cola withdraw its sponsorship for this dangerous event!

SIGN THE PETITION TO TAKE ACTION TODAY! [link removed]


Until Justice Is Real, 
The Color Of Change Corporate Accountability Team 

________________________________________________

References:

1. Rebecca Crosby, “Major corporations sponsor "anti-woke" conference headlined by far-right activist,” Popular Information, August 22, 2024, [link removed] 
2. Benjamin Wallace Wells, “How a Conservative Activist Invented the Conflict Over Critical Race Theory,” The New Yorker, June 18, 2021, [link removed] 
3. Rachel Gilmore [@atRachelGilmore]. (2024, August 27). UPDATE: SunLife and CPKC no longer appear on the sponsor page for this event -- joining Mastercard and Bruce Power who dropped off yesterday. The event features a talk from a U.S. culture w*r provocateur who made it trend to oppose learning about racism. Yowza! [Tweet]. Twitter. [link removed]
4. Geoff Dembicki, “Meta and Koch Industries to Sponsor Event Featuring Climate Denier Barry Cooper,” DeSmog, August 12, 2024, [link removed]
5. Shelley Stewart III, “The Impacts of Climate Change on Black Communities,” Forbes, December 18, 2023, [link removed]
6. “Social Impact,” The Coca-Cola Company, [link removed]

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