You might think that democracy means that those with power are compelled by those in power, our political representatives, after due discussion and debate, after hearing all the points of view available, to bow to the people's will. Isn't that the whole point of democracy? With adequate safeguards for minorities, what's good for the majority prevails.

Not in Chocolate Town, USA. The good citizens of Hershey, Philadelphia are firmly against the sale of Hershey's Foods. The US chocolate giant employs about a quarter of them. It created the town. It's been good to them.

But a trust set up by Hershey's founder to benefit the local community, the town's disadvantaged children, couldn't care less what they think. Keen to maximise the value of its portfolio, to do the neolibralism thing, it plans to sell up its majority stock in Hershey's by selling out to the likes of Cadbury Schweppes or Nestle. [Guardian].

Following petitions and demonstrations organised through the Friends of Hershey Foods website, the local community and politicians have succeeded in halting the sale until a court has examined its economic and social impact.

Marge Panettieri, a member of the Friends of Hershey Foods, says that the campaign has been a 'great experience in grassroots democracy'. [Hershey Chronicle].

It's inspiring to see concerned citizens in action on the Friends' bulletin board.

However, the trust, which says that it needs to diversify its stock, is appealing against the injunction. It's likely to win the appeal this Wednesday on the grounds that it's an unfair violation of its right to do business. [Financial Times].

Matthew G Solovey, editor of the Hershey Chronicle, says that promises that Hershey's new owners will continue to put the town first amount to zero.

'Corporate America can't make assurances. They can't promise anything. Executives at corporations want to do one thing: make money. They don't care about the impact on a community - they care about the bottom line. Hey, that's America, and they have the right.