Mars Inc. Quits ALEC Orbit

Maker of Skittles joins exodus of major corporations: Coca-Cola, Kraft, Pepsi, McDonalds, Wendy’s and more

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As more major companies reconsider their ties to the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), Common Cause today praised Mars Inc, the maker of Skittles, for its decision to join the ALEC exodus:

“Mars has done the right thing,” said Bob Edgar, Common Cause’s president. “Its leaders understand that continued support for ALEC’s advocacy of vigilante justice and assaults on voting and employee rights, public schools, and reasonable environmental regulations is neither good business nor good corporate citizenship.”

Many Americans have learned about ALEC in recent weeks through news stories detailing its role in the proliferation of “Stand Your Ground” laws similar to the Florida statute at issue in the death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. Martin was shot unarmed, carrying only an iced tea and a bag of Skittles — made by Mars.

To date the following major companies and foundations have severed ties with ALEC:

Coca-Cola

Kraft Foods

PepsiCo

Intuit Software

Wendy’s

McDonald’s

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Arizona Public Service