Vegetarians 'meat' little success
in anti-McDonald's protest
Did somebody say a vast multinational
corporation that spends billions on advertising an image of family-friendly
fun but, in reality, is only interested in making money at the expense
of its workers, the global environment and the health of its customers?
That could be a new slogan for McDonald's, according to the flier
"What's Wrong with McDonald's?" handed out Monday by the Campus Vegetarian
Society. The group was among the activists around the globe speaking
out against the corporation for the 16th annual Worldwide Anti-McDonald's
Day.
However, the protest on campus was short-lived when the group was
repeatedly forced out of the Illini Union and off the Quad.
At first, the group's members were handing out leaflets in front of
the McDonald's in the Union when they were asked to leave.
"We don't let anyone leaflet downstairs," said Illini Union director
Susan Maul. "It's standing policy."
The group then moved onto the Quad, but a Registered Student Organization
representative accompanied by two police officers again asked them
to leave. The representative said that any groups wishing to use the
Quad need to fill out a space request form.
"We weren't being aggressive," said Campus Vegetarian Society president
Jonathan Fisher, senior in ACES. "We're really disappointed."
Finally, the group attempted to set up an informational booth in the
Union, but miscommunication led other society members to leaflet the
basement McDonald's again, and the group was forced to leave the Union
once more.
"We're not complaining," Fisher said. Still, he felt that the information
they received was conflicting.
"We were just trying to get people to think about their choices,"
Fisher said. "Usually they just think 'Oh, food!' and don't examine
the social impact."
The fliers criticized McDonald's for promoting unhealthy food, for
exploiting workers with long hours and low pay, and damaging the environment
by raising beef on destroyed rain forest land.The leaflet can be found
at www.mcspotlight.com.
The flier also criticized what they say are McDonald's attempts to
silence any criticism by forcing those who speak out against it to
back down.
"They definitely overwork us," said McDonald's employee Damien Miller,
junior in LAS. "It's a stressful environment."
Miller said that he usually does not complain, for fear of losing
his job.
A copy of the leaflet and more information about protests against
McDonald's can be found at www.mcspotlight.com.
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