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Suggestions Needed For Nike Caravan

Labor Alerts: a service of Campaign for Labor Rights

February 2, 1998

In our second strategy paper, dated January 29, we said that there will be a West Coast caravan traveling from the Canadian border to the Mexican border during the week leading up to April 18. At each stop, the caravan will collect old Nike shoes. When the caravan reaches its end, there will be a symbolic ceremony to "dispose of" the shoes.

ISSUE:

• Destroying the shoes, even though they are Nikes, would seem arrogant, in the face of so much poverty at the border.
• Giving them away to low-income people would smack of paternalistic charity in an event which is intended to build international solidarity based on mutual respect.

One possibility would be to do a shoe return at the Nike store just this side of the border.

Please give us your input. What should we do with the Nikes? Ideally, whatever we do with them would accomplish the following:

• Make a statement that we value the rights of workers above corporate profits and consumerism.
• Show creativity.
• Demonstrate respect for the viewpoints of our allies and people we would like to have as allies.
• Help to build our movement - within borders and across borders.

We are looking forward to hearing from you!

"DON'T BUY NIKE, stop sweatshops" bumper stickers are now available.

$1.00 each or $8.00 for 10. Add $2.50 per order for shipping and handling. Order from:

Labor/Community Alliance
P.O. Box 5077
Fresno Ca 93755

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