Easter Greetings to you all,

Getting down to the wire re stopping the Newark / Nestle partnership.

The petition has been a great "bottom-up" world-wide, educational tool, but we now need the local and National Organizations to come on side for a "top-down" action.  While some of the people involved with these organizations have signed the petition and a few have posted on their websites, (thank you!) some are not even bothering to do that and some of have said they won't do more despite the fact their Mission Statements say, they "Protect, Support and Promote Breastfeeding". We have begged and pleaded but...

The campaign needs a press release, and a letter on letter-head to the Mayor, Surgeon General and the First Lady.  Please lobby your organization(s) to do this ASAP.  The Newark/ Nestle partnership is scheduled to start in May.  Trying to stop something once it has been started is pretty-well impossible (think of the hospital contracts).

We also need someone to contact the Churches in Newark.  Many older people will remember the Bottle Baby Scandal and the start of the Nestle boycott.  Also there are 10 -12 Mosques in Newark and the Koran calls for all women to breastfeed their babies for 2 years.  Please help. Can email me off line.

We have lobbied the Surgeon General, First Lady, CDC, media, Governor of NJ, Public Health Officers, the Newark Council, the Mayor's advisors and many local and National Breastfeeding Organizations, Government Offices, mothers groups and ? (but Maria and I "do not belong" to an organization so have no letter head to give credibility at the top).  What have you been doing behind the scenes?  Please let us know - it helps to keep us going. Working in the trenches is very time-consuming and exhausting especially when both Maria and I have private practices.

And for those of you who haven't signed the petition yet, (link below), more than 1600 signatures from close to 50 countries have signed. Please continue to sign and pass onto others (still wondering where the men are?!) 
http://www.change.org/petitions/mayor-cory-booker-newark-new-jersey-usa-stop-the-hypocritical-newarknestle-campaign-to-target-childhood-obesity?share_id=HDVyjOmNmk&;

If anyone still feels we are "bullying the Mayor" (as we have been told), please have a look at Nestlé's hiring ads for Newark.  They are all about promoting Nestlé's formula. Have a look at the one posted for a PR person (Apr 3).  The underlined parts are my emphasis at their  attempt at damage control.
.
Director, Corporate Public Relations & Media Relations Job Number: nest-00026366
Nestle Nutrition, Marketing Florham Park, NJ 

Job Summary (excerpts)

This position based out of our New Jersey HQ office will develop and implement Public Relations strategies and media plans for key external stakeholders to proactively promote and protect Gerber/Nestlé Infant Nutrition's reputation and market position. 

Manage issues/crisis communications situations for Nestle Infant Nutrition as they arise. Identify issues that pose threat to business, successfully manage issues to avoid crisis, product and non-product. Proactively prepare for issues/crisis through training advance preparation.

Enjoy Easter with your family and friends but tomorrow WE NEED YOUR HELP!  TOGETHER we can STOP Newark / Nestle.

Sincerely,
Renee (Vancouver, Canada)

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