Coke leaves lobby group

POLITICS • Coca-cola Co. is dropping its membership in a conservative national advocacy group that supports “Stand Your Ground” laws such as the one being used as a defence in the Florida killing of an unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin.

The move by the world’s biggest soft drink maker comes as corporate America faces increased scrutiny from consumers and shareholder activists over lobbying and political spending.

Pepsico Inc. ended its relationship with the group — the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) — in January.

In a statement on Thursday, Coca-cola made no direct mention of the controversial self-defence law pushed by ALEC that provides shooters with wide latitude for claiming selfdefence.

“The Coca-cola Company has elected to discontinue its membership with the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC),” the statement said.