The spirit of Las Vegas supporters shined brighter than the Vegas lights.

In the last three days there have been Starbucks protests in San Diego at three stores. In two cases we were able to pull the Tiger Truck right alongside the stores and really give the customers an eyeful. One nasty little manager called the police, but the officers were completely courteous and professional, and had the unfortunate duty of having to tell the most unpleasant manager that we were legal. With the fine activists of San Diego Animal Protectors, hundreds and hundreds of ‘Buck Starbucks’ flyers were handed out and countless numbers of people saw footage showing the sad reality of rodeo. Campaign success continued as local TV news stations came to cover the demo our first night, bringing news of Starbucks’ sponsorship of rodeos all over the San Diego area.

Starbucks' strategy at this time comes straight out of the rodeo book -- which is to deny, deny, deny. One concerned customer told us she went to three different Starbucks to inquire about the rodeo sponsorship, and every one of them claimed to know nothing whatsoever. They all advised the young woman to contact Starbucks public relations in Seattle. Another customer told us she went to her Starbucks in Las Vegas and was told the same thing. In that case the manager admitted that they were getting an "influx of calls."

We can't help but to be curious as to why Starbucks would cling to their rodeo connection. With so much pressure being applied from so many people including many, many nonactivists, it seems like only Starbucks founder Howard Schultz would have the authority to keep Starbucks on this cruel and counterproductive course. So be it. This campaign is just getting warmed up.

Now it is on to Santa Monica and the Los Angeles area with demonstrations beginning tonight, February 9th, and continuing through February 11th. The Tiger Truck will kick off near the Santa Monica Pier’s Promenade, a densely trafficked area drawing tourists from around the world. The Starbucks at 308 Wilshire Blvd. near the Promenade will be our first target. We hope to be able to set up the SHARK video projector and leaflet along the Promenade itself (where the Tiger can’t drive) but this will depend greatly on activist turnout in the area. If you can join us in the Santa Monica/LA area, please contact SHARK at shark.central@sbcglobal.net for more information.

We plan to start our first night of Starbucks- stalking in the Bay Area on February 13th, where we will work closely with In Defense of Animals staff. We might spend one night in Ventura if a few local activists step forward. We are inviting all California activists to jump in on a campaign that will send a strong message to all rodeo sponsors -- that it is just a matter of time before Starbucks is out and we show up at their door.

-One approach that can help the entire Starbucks chain to learn about this campaign (no more clueless managers!) is for everyone throughout North American and well beyond to go to his or her local Starbucks and sit down with the manager to talk about the rodeo sponsorship. Insist on a company response. Then that manager has to contact either the district office or headquarters. The local and district managers will learn about the campaign, and headquarters will hear from another area where we likely have not yet been. You can tell them that you would prefer to not have to protest, but a caring person's gotta do what they gotta do...

-Letters to the editor of your local newspapers expressing dismay that Starbucks is now sponsoring animal abuse is another tactic.

-Some other animal people are filing complaints with the Better Business Bureau about Starbucks violating their claim of Social Responsibility.

-And don’t forget about picking up Starbucks comment cards at their stores for you and your friends to mail in.

In any case, there are so many different ways this movement can and will win this campaign for our nonhuman friends. They are counting on us. Thanks for your help!

Kindest Regards,
Steve Hindi and your friendly SHARK Team