How to Boycott Yahoo
What can one person do? Plenty.
First, send a protest letter to Jerry Yang, Yahoo's CEO and co-founder. Below is a sample letter that you can simply cut and paste, or you can compose your own. Then click here and cut, past and send your message on Yahoo's Feedback page. I have been told Mr. Yang will get the message; if he doesn't, it means Yahoo lied again. (No guarantees, but if you want a reply, include your name and e-mail address.)
ATTENTION JERRY YANG:
Dear Mr. Yang,
I am writing to protest Yahoo turning over to the Chinese government the identities of two of your mail account users, causing them to be sentenced to 10 years in prison, and then lying to Congress about it. I am supporting the Boycott Yahoo campaign until these two people are released from Chinese prison. I urge you to use your company's vast wealth, power and worldwide resources to "persuade" the Chinese government to allow these men their freedom -- freedom that they would still enjoy had it not been for Yahoo's spineless actions. I urge you to make this your number one priority, and keep it so until they are released.
Until then, I am boycotting Yahoo.
I am canceling my own personal Yahoo e-mail account and encouraging my friends to do the same.
I will no longer visit Yahoo sites.
I will no longer use Yahoo products or services.
I will stop buying products of companies that advertise with Yahoo.
I will continue this effort until the two journalists are released from prison.
I agree with U.S. Representative Tom Lantos' description when he said, "While technologically and financially you are giants, morally you are pygmies."Your actions have imprisoned two men -- are there any others, Mr. Yang? -- whose only crime was to use their Yahoo e-mail account to disseminate the truth about democracy. This is unconscionable. An American company should not do business that way, even if operating in a foreign country.
Congressman Lantos called your actions "spineless and irresponsible." I agree.
If you want to write or send a fax, here is the address and fax number:
Mr. Jerry Yang, CEO
Yahoo! Inc.
701 First Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94089
Tel: (408) 349-3300 (They don't answer their phones!)
Fax: (408) 349-3301
Yahoo says they "never forget that [our customers] come to us by choice." OK, time to exercise that choice.
Cancel your Yahoo account and sign up for a free e-mail account with with gmail or hotmail. Click on the "Sign up for Gmail" link, or click on the "Hotmail Sign Up" link and follow the simple instructions.
Post messages on your Facebook page urging your friends to boycott Yahoo. Refer them to the www.BoycottYahoo.com website for more information.
Send an e-mail to every one of your e-mail contacts -- your entire address book -- with this message: "I am boycotting Yahoo and urge you to do the same. Visit www.BoycottYahoo.com to find out why. Find out why a leading Congressman called Yahoo's actions 'spineless and irresponsible.'"
When you switch e-mail programs, send all of your e-mail contacts this simple message: "I am boycotting Yahoo and have cancelled my Yahoo account. Visit www.Boycottyahoo.com to find out why a leading Congressman referred to Yahoo as moral pygmies, and why I support the boycott. I urge you to join me. Here is my new e-mail address..."
Make this message -- "Boycott Yahoo until the two journalists are freed from Chinese prison. Visit www.BoycottYahoo.com to find out more and how you can help." -- part of your signature on every e-mail you send.
Write a protest letter to the embassy and consulates of the People's Republic of China located in the United States. Click here for the list.
Write a letter urging your local U.S. Congressman and U.S. Senators to get involved any way they can. Click Senators and Congressmen for the respective lists.
The important thing is to try to pressure Yahoo to do something to free these two journalists. When that happens, the boycott will end. If you have any more ideas for the boycott, you can contact me at boycott"AT"boycottyahoo.com. (Replace "AT" with the @ sign).