A number of activist groups are calling or a boycott of Coca-Cola products in Georgia, USA, after claiming that the business has not gone far enough in declaring its opposition to new changes in the state's voting laws.
Groups including the AME Sixth Episcopal District, which encompasses more than 500 predominantly black churches in the state, have said that the new voting measures, which require additional identification requirements for absentee ballots among other measures, are akin to voter suppression, particularly among voters of colour.
They have called on the soft drinks giant, which is based in Atlanta, Georgia, to be more vociferous in its opposition to the measures.
“If Coca-Cola wants black and brown people to drink their product, then they must speak up when our rights, our lives and our very democracy as we know it is under attack," Bishop Reginald Jackson of theAME Sixth Episcopal District was quoted as saying by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
'Foundational Right'
Coca-Cola has issued a statement to ESM, saying, "We believe voting is a foundational right in America and access should be broad-based and inclusive.
"Throughout the legislative session, we have been active with the Metro Atlanta Chamber in expressing our concerns and advocating for positive change in voting legislation. We, along with our business coalition partners, sought improvements that would enhance accessibility, maximise voter participation, maintain election integrity and serve all Georgians."
The company added that it will "continue to identify opportunities for engagement", as well we "strive for improvements aimed at promoting and protecting the right to vote in our home state and elsewhere".
A spokesperson for the soft drinks firm told ESM that the business was also aligned with the Metro Atlanta Chamber's position on the matter, which has called on state and local governments to 'do everything possible to maximise voter participation and increase accessibility in our elections, while working to ensure election integrity'.
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