Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


0

Olympic Sponsors Targeted Over China-Darfur Links

McDonald's and others supporting 'genocide Olympics,' activists say

Share

(Newser) – Activists are preparing to plaster college campuses with posters with charges like “McDonald’s: Proud Sponsor of the Genocide Olympics,” hoping to pressure multinational corporations sponsoring the Beijing Games into doing more about Darfur, BusinessWeek reports. Buying oil from Sudan makes China a sponsor of the region's genocide, the thinking goes, and Olympics backers like McDonald's are sponsoring the sponsors of the killing.

“None of these companies really wants to be the spouting whale that gets the harpoon from China,” said the activist group’s director. And while McDonald's did take some action on the Darfur issue, activists say it’s too juicy a target to pass up. But the company seems unconcerned, counting on its charity work to soften any blows to its image.

Hollywood director Steven Spielberg speaks in front of the logo for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games during a news conference in this file photo. Rights groups on Wednesday Feb 13, 2008 praised Hollywood director Steven Spielberg's announcement that he would shun involvement with the Beijing Olympics opening and closing ceremonies...
Hollywood director Steven Spielberg speaks in front of the logo for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games during a news conference in this file photo. Rights groups on Wednesday Feb 13, 2008 praised Hollywood...   (Associated Press)
Political activists hold a banner opposing the Chinese bid for the 2008 Olympic Games at the Athletissima meeting, in this Wednesday, July 4, 2001 file photo, in Lausanne, Switzerland. (AP Photo/KEYSTONE, Fabrice Coffrini, File)
Political activists hold a banner opposing the Chinese bid for the 2008 Olympic Games at the Athletissima meeting, in this Wednesday, July 4, 2001 file photo, in Lausanne, Switzerland. (AP Photo/KEYSTONE,...   (Associated Press)
A McDonalds sign welcomes patrons into the restaurant in Wilmington, Del. in this Jan. 24, 2007 file photo. (AP Photo/Chris Gardner, file)
A McDonalds sign welcomes patrons into the restaurant in Wilmington, Del. in this Jan. 24, 2007 file photo. (AP Photo/Chris Gardner, file)   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
0 comments
VIEWING:
 
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

42 Stories

analysis

 Not So Fast, UN: 
 Darfur War Isn't Over 


Aug 28, 09 11:15 AM CDT
(Newser) - A top UN official has declared that the "real war" in Darfur is over, but that might come as a surprise to the 3 million or so refugees still living in fear of militia attacks, writes Andrew Meldrum for Global Post. He talks to relief officials who find the... More »

MORE ABOUT:
United Nations • Darfur • genocide • Sudan • African • refugees

(Newser) - President Obama opened bilateral talks with China today with a friendly speech, saying the US-China relationship would “shape the 21st century” and highlighting areas in which the nations have common interests, like nuclear proliferation, terrorism, and the global economy. He also touched on climate change, noting that the US... More »

MORE ABOUT:
China • Barack Obama • Darfur • globalization • Sudan • Crisis in Darfur • speech • Obama administration • President Obama

opinion

 Angelina: UN Must 
 Take a Stand on Darfur 

Jolie writes for Time magazine

Jun 5, 09 11:43 AM CDT
(Newser) - Angelina Jolie argues in a Time essay that it's put-up-or-shut-up time for the UN on Darfur. The Security Council will receive a report today on the nation's genocide under the watch of Omar al Bashir, and its response will determine whether the idea of an "international standard of justice"... More »

MORE ABOUT:
entertainment • Darfur • genocide • Angelina Jolie • Sudan • Omar al Bashir • UN Security Council • International Criminal Court

42 Stories


China strikes back against Darfur allegations
BBC

Games can't exist in a vacuum
Daily Telegraph (UK)

China envoy urges West to do more on Darfur
AFP


Business  •  Sports 
TwitterFollow @NewserBusiness on Twitter

 
China • Darfur • genocide • Steven Spielberg • McDonald's • Sudan • General Electric • 2008 Beijing Olympics • Mia Farrow • Adidas • activist • Dream For Darfur • Save Darfur Coalition

from our news partners