Adidas

Another win for people power! On Wednesday, a worried-sounding man from Coca-Cola called the 38 Degrees office to say they wouldn’t be using the Olympic tax dodge. [1]

But it didn’t stop there. Later in the day, VISA, General Electric and EDF all confirmed that they were out too. [2] That’s five big companies down - and nine to go.

The bigger our petition has grown, the more companies have hurriedly announced they won’t be dodging the tax. Can you help this campaign go all the way by sending the petition past 200,000 signatures?

Please sign the petition now to make sure the sponsors pay their fair share:

SIGN THE PETITION



The more companies that say they won’t dodge the tax, the harder it is for the others to stay silent. Let’s target Adidas next. They’re already under fire this week after revelations that they may have exploited third-world workers making Olympic sports clothes. [3]

When Coke phoned up to confirm, what worried them most was the idea of a high energy petition hand-in staged outside their London headquarters. Well, Adidas has a massive flagship store in central London.

If we can push the petition past 200,000 names we’ll organise a high-profile hand-in - a PR nightmare they’ll be desperate to avoid. The Olympics should be about sports - not tax-dodging. So let’s wrap this up before the Games begin.

Can you help cross Adidas off the list next by signing the petition now?

SIGN THE PETITION


Thanks for being involved,

David T, Robin, Belinda and the 38 Degrees team


NOTES
[1] Ethical Consumer: The Great Olympic Tax Swindle http://www.ethicalconsumer.org/commentanalysis/corporatewatch/thegreatolympictaxswindle.aspx
[2] The Guardian: McDonald's to decline London 2012 tax break http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/jul/18/mcdonalds-decline-london-2012-tax-break
London 2012: Olympic sponsors waive tax break http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/jul/18/london-2012-visa-olympic-tax?newsfeed=true
[3] Metro: Adidas hit by price tag protest over third world workers http://www.metro.co.uk/news/905166-adidas-hit-by-price-tag-protest-over-third-world-workers

McDonald's: One down

It’s working! Moments after launching the petition calling on companies like McDonald’s to give up their Olympic tax breaks, their rattled PR team were on the phone. [1] Minutes later they publicly confirmed they wouldn’t be taking up the tax dodge. [2]

If you didn’t sign the petition because you weren’t sure it would work, now you know it can. It’s an exciting start. But there are lots of other sponsors who still haven’t budged. Let’s turn up the pressure by keeping the petition growing. Every name helps.

Can you sign the petition now and tell the other sponsors to pay their fair share?
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/olympic-tax-dodging

Next in our sights is Coca-Cola. They’ll be supersizing their profits at the Olympics, expecting to sell 23 million drinks. [3] Together let’s make sure that they’re paying their fair share in tax. Their close relationship with McDonald’s will make dodging the issue even harder for them now.

The petition’s already got nearly 100,000 names. If you can help push it past that target we’ll organise a high profile hand-in to Coke’s London headquarters and a simultaneous people-powered flood of messages to them via Facebook and Twitter. Together, we’ll make a splash they can’t ignore!

38 Degrees members have been campaigning against tax dodging because things get cut when businesses don’t pay their fair share. The Olympics is a powerful global symbol. Taking on this particular tax dodge won’t fix the whole problem but it’ll send a strong message that we expect these massive multinationals to do the right thing.

If we can get to 100,000 signatures, we’ll organise a hand-in at Coke’s London headquarters this Friday. Click below to add your name now: https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/olympic-tax-dodging


Thanks for being involved,

David T, Robin, Belinda and the 38 Degrees team


PS: The secretive nature of these companies’ tax arrangements makes it difficult to figure out exactly how much this Olympic tax dodge is worth. Let’s use people power to shine a light on what they’re up to. Can you call on Coca-Cola to front up? Sign the petition here: https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/olympic-tax-dodging


NOTES
[1] Ethical Consumer: The Great Olympic Tax Swindle http://www.ethicalconsumer.org/commentanalysis/corporatewatch/thegreatolympictaxswindle.aspx
[2] McDonald’s: Olympic Tax Exemption Clarification http://www.mcdonalds.co.uk/ukhome/Aboutus/Newsroom/news_pages/Olympic_Tax_Exemption.html
[3] Coca-Cola: What does Coca-Cola’s sponsorship bring to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games?
http://www.coca-cola.co.uk/faq/olympic-games/what-does-coca-cola-sponsorship-bring-to-london-2012.html

Shell petrol stations closed to stop Arctic drilling

Hi there,

Right now, Shell petrol stations are being shut down across London and Edinburgh.

Teams of Greenpeace volunteers are fanning out across the two cities, going station to station shutting down the pumps. In total, over 100 forecourts will be out of action. We're broadcasting live throughout the day on a special online TV channel - watch live now.

Why are we doing this? Because Shell is lining up a fleet of huge oil drilling vessels and later this month, for the first time, will start drilling for oil in the Arctic, off the coast of Alaska.
You can protect the Arctic from Shell's dangerous plans. We're declaring a global sanctuary around the pole, to become enforceable by international law, that will mean a ban on oil drilling and other activities that threaten the Arctic.

There isn't much time to stop Shell's plans. Sign up now to help us create an Arctic sanctuary, safe from Shell and other reckless oil companies. Over 850,000 people have already signed up - join them!

The Arctic is a dangerous place to go drilling - an oil spill would wreak havoc on the fragile, vulnerable environment. Shell's own plans show how difficult it will be to mop up if a spill happens in the Arctic.

By chasing after hard-to-reach oil in remote and dangerous places, Shell is putting polar bears, walruses and other Arctic wildlife at risk.

That's why we're shutting down the pumps at so many Shell petrol stations.
You can stop Shell. Join us in declaring a global Arctic sanctuary.

Let's go!

Jamie Woolley

PS Tune in to our live online TV channel to get the latest updates from the closed Shell forecourts, throughout the day.

1 million to save lions

Dear friends,

South African lions are being slaughtered for their bones, just to make bogus sex potions for men. But if we show President Zuma that this hurts South Africa’s image as a tourist destination, he could stop this cruelty by banning the trade in lion bones and organs. Sign the petition below -- we’ll take out ads in major tourism magazines and websites:

Hundreds of South African lions are being slaughtered to make bogus sex potions for men. But we can stop this cruel trade by hitting the government where it hurts -- the tourism industry.

A global ban on tiger bone sales has traders hunting a new prize -- the majestic lions. Lions are farmed under appalling conditions in South Africa for "canned hunting", where rich tourists pay thousands to shoot them through fences. Now experts say lion bones from these killing farms are being exported to phony 'medicine' makers in Asia for record profits. Trade is exploding and experts fear that as prices rise, even wild lions -- with only 20,000 left in Africa -- will come under poaching attack.

If we can show President Zuma that this brutal trade is hurting South Africa's image as a tourist destination, he could ban and punish the trade in lion bones. Avaaz is taking out strong ads in airports, tourism websites and magazines, but we urgently need 1 million petition signers to give the ads their force. Sign below to build our numbers fast:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/stop_lion_slaughter_for_sex_aides_d/?bFrVubb&v=15578

'Tiger bone wine' and other tiger-part medicines were banned after massive international outrage -- now traders have shifted their attention to lions' bones to make all kinds of bogus remedies. Experts say unless governments act now, lions could be the next in line -- after tigers and rhinos -- to face extinction.

There is a solution: banning and punishing the trade of lion bones and organs. South Africa is currently the largest exporter of lion trophies, bones and organs -- it is also the only African country actively breeding lions in large numbers to supply trophy hunting. But if we can show that allowing this senseless trade can hurt South Africa’s booming tourism industry and make visitors flee, President Zuma could be forced to act.

Let’s build a thunderous global roar for the lions. Avaaz will show the cruelty of the lion bone trade with stinging ads -- sign now:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/stop_lion_slaughter_for_sex_aides_d/?bFrVubb&v=15578

Avaaz members across the world have come together to demand strong protection for elephants and rhinos, save the world’s bees from poisonous pesticides and achieve huge marine reserves in Chagos and Australia to safeguard vulnerable marine species. Lets come together once again and stand up for Africa’s lions.

With hope, and determination,

Jamie, Alex, Antonia, Mia, Alice, Ricken, Luca, Emily and the entire Avaaz team

More information:

Lion Bone Trade Fuels Breeding Business in Africa (Al Jazeera)
http://allafrica.com/view/resource/main/main/id/00040108.html

South Africa continues to support the lion bone trade (LionAid)
http://www.lionaid.org/blog/2012/06/south-africa-continues-to-support-the-lion-bone-trade.htm

Quenching a thirst for lion bones (Mail & Guardian)
http://mg.co.za/article/2012-04-20-quenching-a-thirst-for-lion-bones/

Born to be killed (Carte Blanche)
http://beta.mnet.co.za/carteblanche/Article.aspx?ID=4226

The Lion Bone’s Connected to the … Rhino Horn? (Rhinoconservation.org)
http://www.rhinoconservation.org/2012/05/12/the-lion-bones-connected-to-the-rhino-horn/

Wildlife trafficking trail leads to SA safari man (News 24)
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Bloody-rhino-poaching-trail-leads-to-SA-safari-operator-20110721

Support the Avaaz Community!
We're entirely funded by donations and receive no money from governments or corporations. Our dedicated team ensures even the smallest contributions go a long way.

ACE News

 
ACE MONTHLY MEETING
7.30pm Wed 4 July at ACE
Help sustain the Autonomous Centre of Edinburgh www.autonomous.org.uk  ACE
meetings are the first Wed every month at 7.30pm
All welcome – we need more volunteers to keep ACE thriving and organise
lots of stuff.....

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Slutwalk Edinburgh 2012
Meet Parliament Square off Royal Mile 1.30pm Saturday 7th July

Marching to call for an end to Slutshaming and victim blaming. We need
change! We are tired of being shamed for our choices and feeling unsafe as
a result.
Most rapists can't remember what their victim was wearing. Rape is not a
crime of passion. It is a crime of violence.
Starting at Parliament Square on the Royal mile, and marching down to the
Parliament building, where we hope to have some speakers for you.

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Take Back the Land! 12-18 July Douglas Valley action camp

Opencast coal mining in the Douglas Valley is about the ruling class
destroying communities for their own financial gain. Its about ecological
destruction on a massive scale for capitalism’s unquenchable thirst for
cheap energy. Its about absentee fat-cat land-lords making millions off
land that shouldn’t be theirs. Its about morally corrupt local (and
national) government putting profit before people.

Join us 12-18 July in the Douglas Valley, South Lanarkshire, to build on
20 years of community struggle and four years of direct action against the
UK’s biggest opencast mining company. It’s time to Take Back the Land!

Coal Action Scotland  contact@coalactionscotland.org.uk
More info http://www.indymediascotland.org/node/27202
http://takebacktheland.org.uk/

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ACTION AGAINST WORKFARE

No to Slave Labour!
Meet 12 noon Saturday 14 July
Holland and Barrett, Hanover Building, Rose St, Edinburgh
(in between Hanover St and Frederick St)
Join the uk-wide week of action against workfare!

The Queens Jubilee has seen the disgrace of exploiting the unemployed
through workfare. The ‘ethical’ company Holland & Barrett who are due to
be signed up to 1100 workfare places will receive its deserved focus of
this week of action. Up and down the country groups will been taking
action against workfare providers – A4E, Maximus, Reed etc… including
those who have signed up on workfare – Holland & Barrett, Tesco, Shoe Zone
etc…

Join us and take part in creative actions against workfare.

Organised by Edinburgh Coalition Against Poverty
ecap@lists.riseup.net
www.edinburghagainstpoverty.org.uk and on Facebook
Part of the UK-wide Week of Action against Workfare
http://www.boycottworkfare.org/?p=1154   and
http://www.facebook.com/events/481490495199880/

ECAP meets at ACE the last Monday of every month at 7pm
ECAP runs advice and solidarity sessions at ACE every tuesday 12-3pm – if
coming for advice best to come early as it is often very busy.

Save Richard

Two years ago, Richard O'Dwyer was studying for a multimedia degree at Sheffield Hallam University. In his spare time he ran a website that acted as a search engine for users to find links to watch TV and films online.

He respected the rules -- deleting content when he received requests to remove it. But despite this, he’s now been accused of copyright violation and could face 10 years in a US prison, after the British Home Secretary, Theresa May, signed an extradition order in March.

Richard is not a US citizen, he's lived in the UK all his life, his site was not hosted there, and most of his users were not from the US. America is trying to prosecute a UK citizen for an alleged crime which took place on UK soil.

Given the thin case against him, it is an outrage that he is being extradited to the US to face charges. That's why I've just launched a petition on Change.org to stop his extradition -- and why I hope you will sign it today. Click here to sign the petition.

When I met Richard, he struck me as a clean-cut, geeky kid. Still a student, he reminds me of many great entrepreneurs and the kind of person I can imagine launching the next Wikipedia or YouTube.

Copyright matters but from the beginning of the internet, we have seen a struggle between the interests of the "content industry" and the general public.

Richard is the human face of that battle, and if he's extradited and convicted, he will bear the very real human cost.

The internet as a whole must not tolerate censorship as a response to mere allegations of copyright infringement. As citizens we must stand up for our rights online.

Together, the public won the battle against SOPA and PIPA. We proved that when we work together we can protect freedom on the internet. Together, I know we can win this battle too.

Join me and sign my petition to stop the extradition of UK citizen Richard O'Dwyer.

Thanks,

- Jimmy Wales, Wikipedia Founder

---------------------------
More information:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jun/24/richard-o-dwyer-my-petition

Jimmy Carr?

If David Cameron thinks Jimmy Carr's tax dodge was morally wrong, why isn't he using his powers as prime minister to stop this kind of thing happening? New, tough, anti-avoidance laws could save the UK millions in lost tax. Let's use this latest scandal to push Cameron to act.

A big petition, signed by thousands of us, will prove that the public demands a real clampdown on tax dodging. At the moment Cameron seems to hope that a few soundbites on TV will be enough to make the fuss die down. We need to make him realise he'll lose votes if he fails to act.

Please take 30 seconds to add your name to the petition demanding a strong tax-dodging law:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/ban-tax-dodging

Tax-dodging costs the rest of us billions of pounds - money that could be spent on hospitals, schools, policemen. But whilst David Cameron talks tough, the truth is he could be doing much more to stop it. Leading tax experts say what we really need is a legally enshrined “general anti-avoidance principle” - giving courts tough new powers to force dodgers to pay up. [1]

Over the past year, 38 Degrees members, together with groups like UK Uncut, have helped shine a light on the scandal of tax-dodging. [2] Actions like our hard-hitting adverts depicting George Osborne as the artful dodger helped make the government realise they can no longer stay silent. Even more public pressure could push them to launch a real crackdown.

David Cameron could do more to stop tax-dodging. But he'll only do that if we put him under enough pressure. So please add your name to the petition today:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/ban-tax-dodging


Thanks for being involved,

Marie, David T, Hannah, James, David, Cian, Becky, Belinda and the 38 Degrees team


PS: Here’s what Sarah Hurley, a 38 Degrees member said on Facebook: “Carr only did what a lot of people would do, and probably just followed his accountant's advice. If Cameron thinks tax-dodging is so wrong he needs to close the loop-hole, then have a good look at multi-national companies who fail to pay a lot more tax than one TV comedian.” If you agree, add your name: https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/ban-tax-dodging


NOTES
[1] Tax Justice Network is a global alliance of economists, tax and financial professionals, accountants, lawyers, academics and writers who work to analyse and explain the role of harmful impacts of tax evasion and tax avoidance. They support a broad-based general anti-avoidance principle to tackle tax evasion in the UK - as opposed to the narrowly focused rule proposed by the government. http://www.taxjustice.net/cms/front_content.php?idcat=2

[2] Telegraph: Budget 2011 - “Jammy tax dodgers” protest in Whitehall http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/budget/8400804/Budget-2011-Jammy-tax-dodgers-protest-in-Whitehall.html
Guardian: UK Uncut allowed to challenge Goldman Sachs tax deal http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/jun/14/uk-uncut-challenge-goldman-sachs-tax-court
38 Degrees blog: Tax Dodging - Hand-in to HMRC http://blog.38degrees.org.uk/2012/04/05/tax-dodging-hand-in-to-hmrc/