A New York Times article that Sept. 8 featured SPI Group CEO affirming the Russian roots of Stolichnaya Vodka shows that the brand is indeed a legitimate target for a boycott, said the New York City-based activist groups Queer Nation and #DumpRussianVodka in a statement.
In the article, Val Mendeleev, CEO of SPI Group, said that "SPI Group is 'not trying to hide' its Russian roots Stolichnaya's formula, basic ingredients and name, which means capital, all come from Russia."
Some commentators had previously argued that since much of the production of exported Stolichnaya Vodka was centered in Latvia that a boycott was both misguided and harmful to the Latvian population. But the statement said the article confirmed that the boycott was on target.
"While arguing that it is a supporter of the LGBT community, SPI has done nothing to combat the recently enacted Russian law that effectively bans all pro-LGBT statements and demonstrations there, or the recently proposed legislation that would remove children from Russian households headed by gay and lesbian parents," said the statement. "Stolichnaya is an iconic Russian brand made by a Russian company. …That boycott will continue until that vile law is repealed."
See related press release at www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Stolichnaya-Vodka-boycott-target-admits-its-a-Russian-company/44310.html .