RWers threaten to boycott brewery for Planned Parenthood fundraiser. Calls and emails cause ...

... brewery to fold.

Don't miss the comments below the article.


http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/09/threats_of_boycott_drive_found.html#more

Threats of boycott drive Founders Brewery to change fundraiser beneficiary from Planned Parenthood to Kids Food Basket
by Kyla King | The Grand Rapids Press
Tuesday September 15, 2009, 6:45 PM


GRAND RAPIDS -- An upcoming charity fashion show to benefit Planned Parenthood of West and Northern Michigan at Founders Brewery turned out to be a bit too hard to swallow for the beer maker.

After angry calls and letters started pouring in, Founders President Mike Stevens told organizers this week they had to switch to another local, and less controversial, charity. Kids Food Basket, which provides meals for local students, was selected.

"Our goal is simple, make the best beer we can and focus on that and that only," Stevens said in a written statement. He did not return a call from The Press.

Planned Parenthood is a frequent target of anti-abortion protesters.

The Local Threads Fashion Show, planned for Sunday at 8 p.m. at 235 Grandville Ave. SW, features local designers, models and musicians.

In a written statement, Stevens said the brewery is merely supplying the venue for the show, did not choose the charity and has a strict policy in regard to supporting charities or political affiliations.

"Our policy is to remain neutral and not put ourselves in any moral bias situation at all," Steven wrote. "Once we found out about which charity was chosen, I had to step in."

Steven said as a result of the incident, Founders no longer will allow charity events without "our 100 percent voice" in where the proceeds go.

Last year's fashion show raised $1,500 for a local cystic fibrosis chapter, said organizer Andrea Napierkowski.

Planned Parenthood was chosen after organizers asked participants who they would like to support.

"They told us, 'You gotta go with Planned Parenthood because they're really struggling,' and this chapter here has a lot of first contact with low-income women who need health care," she said.

Napierkowski said they are not upset with Founders, which was facing threats of a boycott by people who sent e-mails and called.

"I think the thing that makes me really sad is that people don't understand what Planned Parenthood is really all about," she said.

Instead, Napierkowski said participants are being encouraged to "silently protest" by wearing a Planned Parenthood T-shirt, or writing the organization's name on their clothes, and by making a direct donation.

Officials at Planned Parenthood of West and Northern Michigan said they were "extremely disappointed" in the change and were encouraging supporters to donate directly at their Web site.

more...

Rock on Founders!!!!

Most right wingers drink shitty beer anyway, so I doubt he'll lose any sales.

Looks like a decent product line though. If I lived anywhere near Grand Rapids, I'd buy some just to piss off the Repukes :beer:

http://foundersbrewing.com/founders/beer



Breakfast Stout 8.3% ABV 60 IBU’S
The coffee lovers consummate beer. Brewed with an abundance of flaked oats, bitter and imported chocolates, Sumatra and Kona coffee, this stout has an intense fresh roasted java nose topped with a cinnamon colored frothy head that goes forever.


God damn, that sounds good. :beer:

I thought you were commenting on the OP :blush:

Three Floyds and Dogfish Head collaborative brew!

Have you heard about Dogfish Head's Chicha?
Check it out: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/09/dining/09beer.html
http://www.dogfish.com/brews-spirits/the-brews/brewpub-exclusives/chicha.htm

That's why Coors tastes like piss... it's one of the ingredients.

and encouragement for him not to cave in for the nuts.

And seriously fuck the American Taliban. People need to stop taking their threats so seriously.

buy more of their brews. :beer:

it is a sad display, but if this is what he wants to do:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please see our companies policy below, I think it spells out things pretty clearly. We did not step in and remove PP because of who they are, we stepped in and removed them because they do not satisfy the very policy we operate our company by. I appreciate your input but as our policy states we are not a company that is going to force positions on anyone, I think that’s what makes Founders so great. No matter you’re, race, religion, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or career….. Everyone is welcome at Founders.

"Our policy is to not contribute proceeds to any charity or affiliation that carries with it a controversial bias. Those affiliations are to remain a personal and private decision on a per individual basis. As a company we do not believe it is our position to force these expressions on any of our patrons."


Enjoy,

Mike Stevens | President

Founders Brewing Company