Labor Alerts/Labor News
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[On Saturday, October 18, human rights activists in a number of countries will join in an international mobilization in support of Nike production workers. Local activists are urged to organize leafleting at stores selling Nike products in their community. Nike action packets are free via email (send a request to [email protected]) or $5 for the printed version (send a check to Campaign for Labor Rights, 1247 "E" Street SE, Washington, DC 20003 with a note saying that you are prepaying for a Nike action packet or call 541-344-5410).]
BRONX NIKE SHOE-IN
Some young people at the Edenwald Gunhill Neighborhood Center in the Bronx have decided that they don’t want their Nikes around any more. They have decided to send a message—and their shoes—to Nike.
Staff at the community center became concerned when then saw how Nike advertising linked self-esteem with ownership of Nike’s overpriced shoes. Young people whose parents were already having trouble getting by were pressuring their families to purchase Nikes so they wouldn’t be left out socially. Nike gets a lot of mileage out of its "charity" donations to atheltic programs in low-income neighborhoods. However, the marketing impact of those donations, along with the rest of Nike advertising, has the effect of sucking much more out of those neighborhoods than the footwear giant even begins to put in.
When the community center staff began to talk with young participants about Nike’s overseas labor practices, a remarkable and inspiring thing happened:
The youth no longer wanted to be associated with a logo representing exploitation and abuse of workers. Several of the young people decided to send a special message to the company—by sending back their shoes.
After months of planning, the staff and young people are ready. They will return their shoes at the Nike Town in mid-town Manhattan on Saturday, August 30 (Labor Day weekend). They have issued a special invitation to anyone who would like to join them symbolically in their protest:
DO YOU HAVE SOME OLD NIKES WHICH YOU NO LONGER WISH TO WEAR IN PUBLIC?
Don’t keep them hidden in your closet. Send them to:
Mike Gitelsen
Edenwald Gunhill Neighborhood Center, Inc.
1150 E 229 Street
Bronx, NY 10466
Mike and the awesome youth will see to it that your shoes are added to the pile in the store’s entrance. Remember, packages are moving a little slower these days. So let’s put those shoes in the mail right now!!!
Note: Jeff Ballinger, of Press for Change, will be working with the community center so that the media (as well as Nike) get the message. How about it? Wouldn’t you like to see your old sneaks on TV?
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