source: http://whatareyoubuying.wordpress.com/2012/01/29/five-boycotts-that-changed-the-world/
Five boycotts that changed the world
One of the most influential ways to change businesses’ practises is a widely publicised boycott of their products.
What Are You Buying takes a look at five examples of consumers voting with their wallets to make a difference
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1791 – Boycott of slave-produced sugar
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The abolitionist movement in Britain reached a peak towards the end of the 18th century, when thousands of pamphlets were circulated urging British citizens not to buy sugar produced using slave labour in the West Indies. Some 400,000 people abandoned sugar, which was Britain’s biggest import at the time, or bought sugar produced in India, where slaves were not used.
An sugar bowl from the East India Company.
Shops began to advertise goods produced by “free men” and hundreds of thousands signed petitions calling for the abolition of the slave trade. In 1807, the Slave Trade Act was signed into law, abolishing the slave trade in the British Empire.
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1955 – Montgomery bus boycott
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When seamstress Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger on a city bus in Montgomery, Alabama, she prompted a city-wide boycott of public transport from the black community
Rosa Parks with Martin Luther King jr.
The 13-month boycott crippled the Montgomery public transport system, which immediately lost three quarters of its customers, and led to America’s Supreme Court declaration that segregation on buses was unconstitutional. The episode was a milestone in the civil rights movement.
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1986 – Student boycott of Barclays
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While other banks refused to deal in apartheid South Africa, Barclays continued its operations in the country, despite widespread disapproval of the regime. Thousands of students in the UK abandoned Barclays, and the bank lost half of its share of the student market.
Anti-apartheid campaigners outside Parliament.
The loss of business as well as increased criticism of Barclays caused the banking giant to cease its operations in South Africa 1986, and increasing economic pressure on the country led to the downfall of the apartheid regime.
__________________________________
1995 – Boycott of Shell over Brent Spar
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When Shell announced its decision to dispose of its Brent Spar oil tanker in the North Sea, Greenpeace launched a worldwide campaign against the oil giant, saying it could cause huge damage to the North Sea’s ecosystem.
The Brent Spar oil tanker.
A massive boycott of Shell petrol stations and widespread international criticism meant Shell lost tens of millions of pounds. Eventually the company agreed to dismantle Brent Spar onshore, and European leaders banned the dumping of offshore oil rigs.
__________________________________
2009 – Fruit of the Loom uni boycott
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The international clothing manufacturer closed down its Honduran factory after its 1,800 workers announced plans to unionise. Students in the UK, USA and Canada pressured their universities not to supply Fruit of the Loom merchandise, and over 100 universities switched supplier.
British students protest against Fruit of the Loom.
It was the largest clothing boycott in history, and caused huge damage to Fruit of the Loom’s business and reputation. Just months later, the Honduran factory was reopened, restoring the workers’ jobs, with compensation and fairer working conditions.
Five boycotts that changed the world
One of the most influential ways to change businesses’ practises is a widely publicised boycott of their products.
What Are You Buying takes a look at five examples of consumers voting with their wallets to make a difference
__________________________________
1791 – Boycott of slave-produced sugar
__________________________________
The abolitionist movement in Britain reached a peak towards the end of the 18th century, when thousands of pamphlets were circulated urging British citizens not to buy sugar produced using slave labour in the West Indies. Some 400,000 people abandoned sugar, which was Britain’s biggest import at the time, or bought sugar produced in India, where slaves were not used.
An sugar bowl from the East India Company.
Shops began to advertise goods produced by “free men” and hundreds of thousands signed petitions calling for the abolition of the slave trade. In 1807, the Slave Trade Act was signed into law, abolishing the slave trade in the British Empire.
__________________________________
1955 – Montgomery bus boycott
__________________________________
When seamstress Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger on a city bus in Montgomery, Alabama, she prompted a city-wide boycott of public transport from the black community
Rosa Parks with Martin Luther King jr.
The 13-month boycott crippled the Montgomery public transport system, which immediately lost three quarters of its customers, and led to America’s Supreme Court declaration that segregation on buses was unconstitutional. The episode was a milestone in the civil rights movement.
__________________________________
1986 – Student boycott of Barclays
__________________________________
While other banks refused to deal in apartheid South Africa, Barclays continued its operations in the country, despite widespread disapproval of the regime. Thousands of students in the UK abandoned Barclays, and the bank lost half of its share of the student market.
Anti-apartheid campaigners outside Parliament.
The loss of business as well as increased criticism of Barclays caused the banking giant to cease its operations in South Africa 1986, and increasing economic pressure on the country led to the downfall of the apartheid regime.
__________________________________
1995 – Boycott of Shell over Brent Spar
__________________________________
When Shell announced its decision to dispose of its Brent Spar oil tanker in the North Sea, Greenpeace launched a worldwide campaign against the oil giant, saying it could cause huge damage to the North Sea’s ecosystem.
The Brent Spar oil tanker.
A massive boycott of Shell petrol stations and widespread international criticism meant Shell lost tens of millions of pounds. Eventually the company agreed to dismantle Brent Spar onshore, and European leaders banned the dumping of offshore oil rigs.
__________________________________
2009 – Fruit of the Loom uni boycott
__________________________________
The international clothing manufacturer closed down its Honduran factory after its 1,800 workers announced plans to unionise. Students in the UK, USA and Canada pressured their universities not to supply Fruit of the Loom merchandise, and over 100 universities switched supplier.
British students protest against Fruit of the Loom.
It was the largest clothing boycott in history, and caused huge damage to Fruit of the Loom’s business and reputation. Just months later, the Honduran factory was reopened, restoring the workers’ jobs, with compensation and fairer working conditions.
