back next Oxfam America Make Trade Fair Campaign Activists from Sydney to Seattle demonstrated on December 16, 2006 outside Starbucks stores to protest against Starbucks´ refusal to recognize the rights of Ethiopian farmers, as part of a day of action to send a message of solidarity with Ethiopian farmers to the coffee giant. Starbucks makes billions of dollars annually. Yet for each cup of Starbucks coffee sold, farmers in countries like Ethiopia earn only about 3 cents. With roughly 15 million Ethiopians dependent on coffee for income, the Ethiopian government has asked Starbucks to sign a licensing agreement that would give Ethiopia control of the names of its coffees such as Sidamo, Harar and Yirgacheffe coffees, and allow farmers to get a larger share of the retail price. Oxfam, as part of a coalition, is calling on Starbucks to sign this agreement. According to one coalition member, control of the name brands through licenses could ultimately increase Ethiopia's coffee export income by more than 25 percent - or $88 million annually. That increased income could dramatically change the lives of Ethiopian coffee farmers, ensuring that they can feed their children, send them to school, and get them better health care. Starbucks has built its brand on a public commitment to coffee farmers, its time for Starbucks to recognize the farmer´s rights. Click to book photographer for event and/or find out more about Oxfam´s campaign to Make Trade Fair. Click to view Starbucks Day of Action video on YouTube. Click to view Flickr Day of Action photos from around the world. Click below to view resolution to trademark dispute between Starbucks and Ethiopia.