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. 

Rufo led efforts in Florida and across the country to ban Black history and books from our classrooms. Now, he's taking further steps to divide us by putting out a literal bounty for lies about Haitian immigrants. This violent rhetoric championed by Rufo has led to numerous bomb threats and destruction of property targeted towards the Haitian community in Springfield, Ohio. To put it bluntly, Rufo's words are leading to real-world violence.

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

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

Dear Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey,

As consumers, we are disappointed to hear that 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, featuring neo-segregationist Chris Rufo as its headliner. 

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. 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. 

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 your company’s public statements on diversity and inclusion and suggests a willingness to support and amplify hate speech, divisive ideologies, and dangerous disinformation.

As consumers, we expect better from your company and demand that Coca-Cola withdraw its sponsorship for this dangerous event!