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May 16, 2008 6:42:57 AM CDT

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Olympic Protesters Zero In on Sponsors  

Posted Apr 23, 08 8:42 AM CDT in Sports,  World    Most Covered

(newser) – As the Beijing Olympics approach, advocates for a free Tibet and peace in Darfur are trying to hit the Games where it hurts: in the wallet. A coalition of groups has been petitioning the corporations that are sponsoring this year's Olympics to press China on their behalf. The strategy seems to be having at least modest success, writes the Guardian.

Coca-Cola, for example, is under intense pressure to back out of sponsoring the torch relay unless China diverts its planned path through Tibet. Actor George Clooney has already raised the issue of Darfur with Omega, the watchmaker for which he is a spokesman. Sponsors may not make policy, but "they have lobbying firms, they have international presences—and they all do engage in politics," said one activist.

Source Guardian (UK)

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Olympic Protesters Zero In on Sponsors
A Tibetan activist puts up an anti-China poster during a "Free Tibet" protest Tuesday, April 22, 2008 in Jakarta, Indonesia.   (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
Olympic Protesters Zero In on Sponsors
Two young boys walk past a battlewagon belonging to fighters of the Sudan Liberation Army's Abdel Wahed (SLA-AW) faction Thursday April 17, 2008 at an unknown location in North Darfur.   (AP Photo)
Olympic Protesters Zero In on Sponsors
Hundreds of protesters raise their painted hands as they gather outside Sudanese Embassy in London for a rally calling for the end of crisis in Darfur and to mark the 5th anniversary of the start of the...   (AP Photo/Sang Tan)
Olympic Protesters Zero In on Sponsors
Indonesian badminton player Ivana Lie carries the Olympic torch during its relay in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, April 22, 2008.   (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)
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China  • 2008 Beijing Olympics  • Tibet  • Darfur  • torch relay  • George Clooney  • Coca Cola  • Omega  • corporate sponsorship


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