Social Action
Economic Justice and Global Fair Trade
Businesses for Ethical Trade and
Human Rights in Chiapas
(BETHRIC)
As part of our International Sister Restaurant Project, the White Dog sponsored a trip to Chiapas, Mexico in 1996 to better understand the pro-democracy movement. After the Acteal massacre in 1997, Judy Wicks formed BETHRIC as a way to add the voice of business in defense of the indigenous people suffering violence and repression by the Mexican military and paramilitary.
BETHRIC is an organization of U.S. business people who source coffee, crafts and other products from Southern Mexico, and are concerned for the rights and well being of their indigenous trading partners. BETHRIC is committed to building economic relationships which benefit all parties and respect the natural environment, and demonstrates the role of business in addressing issues of both human rights and sustainable development.
The first BETHRIC delegation went to Chiapas in February 1998, to investigate and report on violence and damage to businesses suffered by indigenous people. Subsequent delegations were organized in September 1998, February 1999, and February 2000, for the purpose of helping the indigenous communities develop markets for their products. Grants, pre-financing loans, technical assistance, and market development by BETHRIC members have resulted in the export of coffee from the Mut Vitz cooperative directly to the US, which was sold at fair trade prices rather than to middlemen (coyotes).
The White Dog now serves coffee from the Mut Vitz cooperative through our roaster, New Harmony in Philadelphia, and importer, Cooperative Coffee, in Americus, Georgia. Other companies involved are Frontier Natural Products in Norway, Iowa, Idyll, Ltd. in Media, Pa, and The Human Bean Company in Denver. You can order the coffee served at the White Dog through our on-line version of our gift store, The Black Cat.
Back to Economic Justice and Global Fair Trade Action Alerts page.
Other Topics We are Engaged in
Economic Justice and Global Fair Trade
Environmental Sustainability
Socially Responsible Business
Criminal Justice Reform
Peace and Nonviolence
Children, Youth and Seniors
Celebrating Diversity
Social Change through the Arts
Animal Rights
Additional Campaigns We are Working on
Living Wage Covenant
Opposing GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms)
