Supporters of Measure N in Richmond are holding a town hall meeting 7-9 p.m. Oct. 29 at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, 684 Juliga Woods St.
Here’s the official announcement:
Richmond Soda Tax Supporters Present Town Hall Meeting, Monday, Oct. 29 with Keynote Speaker Maya Rockeymoore, MD
Just as they pour the equivalent of nine teaspoons of sugar into one can of soda, the American Beverage Association is pouring buckets of money to defeat the so called “soda tax” in Richmond, California. The beverage industry evidently fears that success in Richmond could lead to calls for similar measures in other cities and a general public awakening to
the health dangers posed by sugary soda consumption.
Proponents of Measure N are being outspent almost 100 to 1, but taking their case directly to the public. On Monday, October 29, at 7:00 pm, there will be a Town Hall meeting to discuss the measure at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in Richmond. The meeting invocation will be given by local civil rights leader Reverend Phillip Lawson. Noted author and public policy scholar Dr. Maya Rockeymoore will deliver the keynote address titled, When Breaking up is Hard To Do: The Link Between Sugary Drinks and African American Health Disparities.
Dr. Jeff Ritterman, the cardiologist and Richmond City Council member who spearheaded Measure N, will speak on a panel that will also include Richmond Mayor Gayle McLaughlin and other Council members.
The so-called Soda Tax is a local initiative that has gained national attention. While it has raised alarm in the corporate corridors of Coca Cola and Pepsi, it has received support and encouragement from the head of the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, the American Heart Association, and the Institute of Medicine.
The town hall meeting next Monday night will counter the well funded opponents with public information and education explaining the link between rising rates of obesity and diabetes and soda consumption. The public will be informed in detail about plans to use the funds generated from the soda tax to pay for playgrounds, sports activities, swimming lessons, and other anti-obesity projects for Richmond children. www.fit-for-life.org
TOWN HALL ON MEASURE N, CITY OF RICHMOND SODA TAX, WHEN BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO: THE LINK BETWEEN SUGARY DRINKS AND AFRICAN AMERICAN HEALTH DISPARITIES
Keynote Address by Dr. Maya Rockeymoore, President and CEO of Global Policy Solutions, LLC, Public Policy Scholar, Public Health Advocate, Author and Media Commentator
Panel Discussion:
Gayle McLaughlin, Mayor of Richmond
Jeff Ritterman, Councilmember, City of Richmond
Jovanka Beckles, Councilmember, City of Richmond
Doria Robinson, Nutrition Educator and Urban Farmer
7-9 p.m. Oct. 29 at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, 684 Juliga Woods St.
Sponsored by Richmond Fit for Life and Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization (CCISCO)
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