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Olympic Sponsors Targeted Over China-Darfur Links

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

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 20, 2008 1:19 PM CST
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(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)
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China strikes back against Darfur allegations
BBC

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

China envoy urges West to do more on Darfur
AFP

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

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