The great Berkeley coffee war has turned into a conscience-bruising roast

Charles Burress, Chronicle Staff Writer Sunday, November 3, 2002
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Berkeley -- The great Berkeley coffee war has turned into a conscience-bruising roast.

Measure O, the internationally watched ballot initiative, would require all cups of coffee sold in the city to be "fair trade," organic or shade-grown. Ground coffee and whole beans are not affected.

In the hothouse of campaign images, a vote for O would put a Starbucks barista behind bars; a vote against would starve the child of a peasant coffee farmer.

Voters are told the measure would put handcuffs on the Statue of Liberty by depriving consumers of freedom of choice. Not supporting it is equated to destroying the rain forests.

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