Boycotting Made Easy: Use this to cut-and-paste your way to strengthening the sanctions and pressuring Putin to STOP
Sanctions are a powerful tool to cut off the funding that is fueling the horrific war crimes against the Ukrainian people, and the aggression that is threatening us all. If this attack against a sovereign democratic nation is allowed to continue, where will it end? But the sanctions being enacted and upheld by countries, companies and people of conscience around the world are only as powerful as their weakest link. Unfortunately, there are a number of weak links that are allowing funds to flow to the Kremlin. You can help change that.
In “It’s Time to Flex Your Superpowers” I shared some of the ways my husband and I and others are taking decisive positive action to help stop Putin and importantly, to support the Ukrainian people directly. Here I will focus on Superpower #1 — BOYCOTT, and make it easy for you to cut-and-paste your way into convincing well-known and formerly beloved brands to curtail their activities in Russia that are continuing to power the death march on Ukraine.
Companies and others are constantly changing course under pressure (Burger King, Johnson and Johnson, and Dunkin’ Donuts are just three of the latest to cease operations under pressure). The following brands to boycott are valid, today, but in the future, make sure to check the news before you boycott. And remember to circle back and thank companies when they comply, acknowledging their sacrifice which, if Putin nationalizes and seizes assets as he has threatened, will be significant. Praise, too, is powerful.
Cut-and-paste then personalize (if you have the time) the following and post on the fan pages shown. Post, also, as an open letter on your social media accounts asking your friends, family, fans and followers to react and share.
Here’s a partial list, and a start:
General Mills Nestle (Cheerios and other packaged foods, Perrier, Gerber baby foods and hundreds of products worldwide)
Places to Post (just a start — plus Twitter, Instagram, and your other social media accounts if you have the time):
• https://www.facebook.com/GeneralMills
• https://www.facebook.com/nestle.USA
• https://www.facebook.com/Nido1PlusPakistan,
Friends at General Mills Nestlé, continued operations of your joint venture in Russia have created a chink in the armor of the important sanctions being used to help put an end to this brutal war. I understand the vast investment you have in Russia, but as someone who grew up on your products, I am beseeching you to put people’s lives before profits and cease operations there to honor the sanctions, at least for now. Until you do, I will not purchase your products and will encourage family, friends, and strangers to boycott every product you manufacture — and the list is long. Thank you for your consideration. #BOYCOTTGENERALMILLS, #BOYCOTTCHERIOS, #BOYCOTTLUCKYCHARMS, #BOYCOTTNESTLE, #BOYCOTTPERRIER, #BOYCOTTGERBER, #BOYCOTTPURINA
• Marriott International (they have just merged with Welk Resorts — Hyatt, too, is still operatiing in Russia)
• https://www.facebook.com/Marriott
• https://www.facebook.com/marriottbonvoy
• https://www.facebook.com/WelkResorts
Friends at Marriott International and Welk, I’ve stayed in your hotels and at your timeshares around the world, and am a Platinum owner with Welk. I understand you’ve made a significant investment in Russia with the 10 hotels you are still operating there. But lives are at stake, and your continued operations are fueling the war machine. Please stop operations in Russia, at least for now. Thank you for considering my request. #BOYCOTTMARRIOTT, #BOYCOTTWELKRESORTS
• Mondeléz International (makers of Oreos, Cadbury chocolate, Triscuit crackers and more, includes all Kraft products)
• https://www.facebook.com/mondelezinternational
• https://www.facebook.com/MondelezFoodService
• https://www.facebook.com/Kraft
Friends at Mondeléz, thank you for having already rolled back production in Russia, but your continued operations there are undermining sanctions needed to stop this senseless war. Please stop operations in Russia. Please carefully consider my request. It is the right thing to do. #BOYCOTTMONDELEZ, #BOYCOTTOREOS, #BOYCOTTCHIPSAHOY, #BOYCOTTCADBURY, #BOYCOTTRISCUITS, #BOYCOTTKRAFT
Mars Wrigley (candy, gum and owner of Pedigree Pet Foods)
• https://www.facebook.com/Mars
• https://www.facebook.com/MarsWrigley
• https://www.facebook.com/Pedigree
Friends at Mars Wrigley Pedigree, of course I grew up enjoying your candy bars and gum and have for years fed my dogs and cats your pet food. But I can’t support you at this time. Your continued operations in Russia are undermining the sanctions that are crucial to stopping this cruel and senseless war. Please demonstrate your values and cease operations in Russia for now. Thank you for considering this request. #BOYCOTTM&MS, #BOYCOTTSNICKERS, #BOYCOTTPEDIGREE, #BOYCOTTWRIGLEY
If you have the time and want to help further or find specific global brands still operating in Russia that you might feel passionate about reaching out to, you can find a robust list on this Nexstar Media post which has been updated at least once in the last 48 hours, but don’t let it overwhelm you. Do what you can do in the time you have to do it.
For my generation, this Edward Everett Hale quote may have become cliché, but I still find it powerful:
“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”
All of us “only ones” acting together against aggression and for positive change adds up to something much greater than the sum of our individual efforts. If you find this helpful, please share the link on your social media accounts, and otherwise pass it on.
Let’s do the something we can do.
Leslie Baer Dinkel is a highly effective social activist and founder of the non-profit organization Local Hope. For three decades, the organization has delivered emergency relief and critical resources to underserved communities in the Guatemalan highlands in support of self-reliance. She is the author of the book Hope Dancing: Finding purpose and a place to serve among the Maya.
