- BP Gas Station Boycott - Wikimedia Commons
Many independent BP gas stations across the U.S. are feeling the effects of a BP boycott and are switching brands to keep their customers happy. The Deepwater Horizon disaster sparked boycotts across the U.S. and the Internet in an attempt to send a message to British Petroleum.
Maryland BP Gas Stations
On July 9, 2010, Gazette.net, Maryland Community Newspapers Online reported that customers at a local BP gas station are refusing to buy BP gas.
Majid Adam owns a BP gas station in Gaithersburg, Maryland. He told local news that his daily sales of 2,000 have been cut in half.
Anger has swelled as oil is still gushing into the Gulf of Mexico. John Townsend, a spokesperson for AAA Mid-Atlantic stated in the Gazette.net, "What you're seeing locally is happening nationally. Dealers are the ones paying the price." Townsend says that sales at BP gas station across the US have dropped.
Some independent BP gas station owners are in a catch-22. They are feeling the effects of the boycott, but can’t switch brands. In 2003, Gary Richard, owner of the BP station in Damascus, Maryland, signed a 10-year agreement with BP. In Gazette.net, Richard explained, "I'm obligated to buy from them for 10 years. If I stop they can sue me for what I'm supposed to buy on a base monthly contract."
Detroit Gas Stations Feel the BP Boycott
On July 7, 2010, The Huffington Post reported that some independent BP gas station owners have switched brands.
Abdel Berry owns three BP gas stations in the Detroit area and is the process of converting two of them to Sunoco. "It's either change or go out of business," he told the Detroit Free Press.
Station owner Fred Asmar said he's under a multiyear contract with BP so he can't switch. He has lowered prices at his Detroit station to bring back customers but business is still down. Asmar is in the same predicament as Gary Richard in Maryland.
Boycott BP: Anti-BP Campaigns
ABC News reported on June 2, 2010 that two large organizations started anti-BP campaigns. Washington, D.C. based Public Citizen is a consumer watchdog group founded by Ralph Nader and Democracy for America. Democracy for America is asking its 1 million members to boycott BP stations in a campaign that started late May and features bumper stickers that read "AnyoneButBP."
Jesse Jackson called for a BP boycott and appeared at a protest in Chicago late in May. Notably, Jackson urged people to boycott BP a few years ago due to unfair hiring practices.
Over 800,000 people have joined a Facebook page created by “Bayoulee” called Boycott BP. This page has provided those who join with up-to-date information. When Suite101 asked, “How many people here feel that this page has worked in getting people to boycott BP gas stations?” One person wrote, “803,344 and counting.”
Sources:
Gazette.net: Maryland Community Newspapers Online
ABC NEWS Online, June 2, 2010; Boycotting BP: Who Gets Hurt?
Karen Stephenson - Karen has written for several newspapers and print media in addition to many online publications. She holds a B.A. in English and an ...
