Broward Commission encourages residents to boycott products still being sold in Russia

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Anastasiia Sibiriakova, a mother of three, fled her homeland of Ukraine almost two months ago.

Sibiriakova shared her story on Tuesday at the Broward County Commission, where she said she and her family fled Ukraine on Feb. 24 when they woke up to the sounds of bombs in the city of Bucha.

It’s been reported at least 300 people have been killed and tortured there, and Sibiriakova says she had to get out.

“Very dangerous, you know. Our city bombs every day,” Sibiriakova said.

The Broward County Commission passed a resolution condemning companies that are still doing business with Russia.

Commissioner Mark Bogen, who is behind the resolution, purposely showed products he says should not be consumed.

“Keurig, Dr. Pepper, Redbull, Acer” Bogen said.

Company reps tell Local 10 their brands were mischaracterized.

Vicki Draughn, VP Corporate Communications, for Keurig Dr Pepper, released this statement:

“Keurig Dr Pepper does not manufacture, sell, or distribute any products in Russia. Our brands, including Dr Pepper, Canada Dry, Sunkist, 7UP, A&W, Snapple and Schweppes, should not have been included or shown at this meeting. In many countries outside of North America, the manufacturing and distribution rights to certain brands in our portfolio are owned by other independent companies.”

Bogen says those companies should be held accountable, and the resolution is for residents to boycott companies and their products.

“We might not be able to take action with guns and weapons, but could take action with our pocket books and support the Ukrainian people,” Bogen said.

The county is taking it a step further, asking the staff to look and see what vendors they have a contract with that are selling those kinds of products.

Here’s a list of 600 companies that have withdrawn from Russia.


About the Authors:

In January 2017, Hatzel Vela became the first local television journalist in the country to move to Cuba and cover the island from the inside. During his time living and working in Cuba, he covered some of the most significant stories in a post-Fidel Castro Cuba.