Coca-Cola responds to backlash over Russian rainbow flag protest arrest

Coca-Cola responds to backlash over Russian rainbow flag protest arrest

AFTER the video of a young gay Russian man who protested with a rainbow flag along the SochiOlympic torch relay route against the country’s “gay propaganda” laws went viral online, one of the event’s major sponsors issued a public statement in response.

Coca-Cola made the statement following the backlash the company received from the video, which showed a Coca-Cola logo badged Olympic security personnel tackle the protester.

This is what they said:

“As one of the world’s most inclusive brands, we value and celebrate diversity. We have long been a strong supporter of the LGBT community and have advocated for inclusion and diversity through both our policies and practices. We do not condone human rights abuses, intolerance or discrimination of any kind anywhere in the world.

olympic-spirit

As a sponsor since 1928, we believe the Olympic Games are a force for good that unite people through a common interest in sports, and we have seen firsthand the positive impact and long-lasting legacy they leave on every community that has been a host.

We support the ideals of the Olympics and are proud to continue our role in helping to make the Olympics a memorable experience for athletes, fans and communities all around the world.

As a Presenting Partner of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Torch Relay, our logo appears on all of the uniforms for the staff assigned by the Sochi Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG) to support the Torch Relay.

SOCOG reported that a spectator was prevented from breaching the security perimeter around the Torchbearer. The spectator was detained briefly by local police and was fined.

We hope this information is helpful and encourage you to contact us again should you have additional comments or questions.”

Share your thoughts on Coca-Cola’s response:

H/T: americablog.com

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4 responses to “Coca-Cola responds to backlash over Russian rainbow flag protest arrest”

  1. Unhealthy product to start with and a wishy washy response from Coke that sounds like a team of advertising wankers cobbled together to worm out of their support for an oppressive homophobic regime. Don’t drink this rubbish whether you are gay or not.

  2. Ok so if they were stopping him from breaching the line near a runner then why was the officer still holding onto the flag. This is not a simple act of preventing a member of the public breaching a designated line it’s a complete attempts to hide homosexuality in Russia. Coca Cola a very disappointing response, saying one thing but really meaning something totally different.

  3. Was this an explanation as to why Coca cola is siding with the homophobic Russian governerment or another Coke advert telling us how bloody wonderful this brand is.
    First of all I don’t agree with Coke even being involved in the Olympics or Mc Donalds for that matter. A drink that slowly eats away at your insides should not be used to promote sports, why not have cigarette companies promoting the games as well.
    Secondly I’m so sick of hearing corporations spin DR’s tell us the only reason they are promoting a product in either a country who’s human rights issues are appalling, or at the Russian Olympic games (that should be boycotted) are because it’s their way of slowly helping the problem by getting a foot in the door and changing things from the inside. What a load of bloody rubbish. Coke is there because they want their brand seen all around the world and want to make heaps of money in doing so.
    Gay bars, cafe’s and restuarants around the world should be ditching this product. Australia has its own wonderful flavoured soft drinks, what about Hepburn for starters.
    Did Coke being at the Chinese Olympics help the Tibetan cause, No it didn’t but it made Coke Corporation shit loads of money. “As a Presenting Partner of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Torch Relay, our logo appears on all of the uniforms for the staff assigned by the Sochi Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG) to support the Torch Relay” So bloody what! What did that have to do with why this brand is acting like a homophobic Russian leader and not giving a shit about human rights issues or the our gay brothers and sisters in Russia.

  4. I cannot read the content on my mobile because of the way it is formatted. The first letter or two or three of every line is missing