People Over Profits!

San Francisco--Medea Benjamin , co-founder of Global Exchange, addressed demonstrators gathered in front of PG&E Headquarters who were about to walk the 'Corporate Tour of Shame' on Monday. A group of more than 50 protested outside PG&E, Bechtel, Chevron, and The GAP -- some of the largest corporations in San Francisco -- which are pursuing a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the City of San Francisco. According to background provided by the SF Supervisors, hundreds of corporations are claiming San Francisco's business tax is unconstitutional and that it discriminates against interstate commerce because a local company may be exempt from a measure (tax) that a non-local company paid. The demonstrators brought their message straight to City Hall, where the Supervisors were holding a special hearing about the case. They called it a perfect example of corporate welfare. According to Medea Benjamin, "it is unconscionable that PG&E would sue the city of San Francisco to remove the business tax at the same time they are draining the people's tax money from California." (David Hanks/Global Exchange -- Monday 9 April 2001)