Good-bye fair trade Chocolate. Time to Boycott Global Exchange

Yeah, I like their fair trade chocolate too, but I'll need to find a better source. Global Exchange has crossed the line. Today, they sent out an announcement:

"Don't Harmonize With Apartheid"
Sun, Feb 27, 2011 6:00 pm
Davies Symphony Hall
201 Van Ness @ Civic Center
San Francisco
Boycott the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra on its US Tour!

Bring your pots and pans, kazoos, ukuleles, whistles, creativity and everything else needed for a cacaphonic protest

The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel has issued an appeal to BDS activists in the United States to boycott the US tour of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) in February and March 2011, due to its complicity in whitewashing Israel's persistent violations of international law and human rights. The IPO is scheduled to perform in Palm Beach, New York, Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

The IPO is one of the flagship institutions of the Israeli state, tracing its history to the 1930's under the British Mandate. The IPO Foundation describes the orchestra as "Israel's musical ambassador." .

An organization with a slogan "building people to people ties" is advocating the disruption of a cultural event that has the express purpose of, wait for it "building people to people ties" . years ago, the Philharmonics famed "Keynote" program ran program for Israeli and Palestinian children. One concert, for children of the Dheisheh Refugee Camp, was a multi-cultural, bi-lingual encounter featuring the IPO percussion section and an ensemble of Arab musicians from Nazareth. Rather than encourage this kind of activity, Global Exchange is proposing a disruption.

What can you do?

If you aren't busy Sunday night, pick up tickets for the Philharmonic. Davies Hall is a wonderful venue for a concert.

Can't make it to San Francisco? Pick up the phone. Global Exchange has stores throughout the country, as well as a thriving catalog business. Use their 800 number- 1 800 497 1994. Tell them you shop their stores or their catalogs regularly. Tell them how deeply offended you are that they are encouraging the disruption of a cultural event. Tell them you aren't planning on shopping there ever again.

And please, pass the word on to your friends.
Thank you!