The American Chemistry Council is continuing to spend advertising dollars to convince citizens, through misleading and false messages if necessary, to vote against Referendum 1. We need your help now more than ever, with the Council devoting an unprecedented $500,000 more in their attempts to undo Seattle’s efforts to protect its environment.
The following press release will be put out by the Green Bag Campaign to help counter the propaganda coming from the ACC. Help get the word out by donating, linking to our website, and joining our volunteer efforts!
SEATTLE—The American Chemistry Council, whose backers include Exxon Mobil, Dow Chemical, and other giants in the oil and petro-chemical industries have deposited an unprecedented $500,000 in their campaign to defeat Seattle Referendum 1, current city law that would place a fee on non-reusable bags in an effort to reduce waste, pollution, and encourage reusable shopping bags.
The half-million dollar war chest is in addition to the $239,000 previously spent to purchase signatures and out of state consulting services, raising the total for the opposition to $739,000.
While numerous American cities and other nations have embraced bag bans and similar fees, including Washington, DC, numerous coastal communities, Los Angeles and even nearby Edmonds, Seattle is the only jurisdiction where the full weight of the chemical industry is seeking to influence local policy this year.
“Seattle voters should feel offended that Big Oil is spending another $500,000 to buy an election,” said Brady Montz, Sierra Club leader and a spokesperson for the grass roots Approve Referendum 1 Campaign. “They are so intent on protecting their profits that they’ll spend what it takes to deprive voters a fair and honest debate over this critical issue.”
Supporters have already seen a glimpse of what they predict will be a massive media blitz in the weeks leading up to the primary; a letter mailed to Seattle homes by the opposition last week inaccurately claimed that fee would exempt Seattle’s Fred Meyer superstores, when in fact they are included. The letter raises the specter of an exemption for Wal-Mart—the bargain retailer opposed by many in Seattle for their wage and benefit policies— which supporters say is not only untrue, but silly given that there are no Wal-Marts in Seattle.
The letter also claims that the fee will place a burden on low income families and seniors when in fact the city and grocery chains are providing free reusable bags to minimize the burden on the financially disadvantaged.
“When Big Oil hides behind Wal-Mart in an attempt to anger progressive voters, it is the height of cynicism,” said Heather Trim, who leads the anti-toxics program at People for Puget Sound, a leading advocate for the optional fee. “The facts are that this is an optional fee that covers grocery and drug retailers uniformly, and protects low income families and seniors by providing free reusable bags.”
For their part, proponents are continuing to ramp up their volunteer phone canvass, door-to-door outreach, and other programs.
“We are more determined than ever to get our message out,” said Montz. “The money from big oil only underscores our message that out of state special interests are trying to buy a Seattle election.”
Dear Seattle Green Bag Campaign,
I ABSOLUTELY WILL VOTE NO on Referendum 1 on August 18. What business is it of yours what types of grocery bags that I or other citizens use.
Additionally, many people in my community of Seward Park have large families and do a LOT OF grocery shopping. Even if these people have one or two “green bags”, they still would need an additional four or five plastic grocery bags, which would be an additional dollar on top of their grocery bill, stretching them thinner than they already are being stretched financially.
Thank you kindly for your prompt attention to this matter.
Josh