Chicagoans and people all over the state of Illinois and the world are part of massive boycotts that sparked after the announcement of Michael Vick's being re-signed to Nike.
Michael Vick, is a convicted felon after serving time for dogfighting and animal abuse after 66 dogs and a total of 53 pit bulls were seized on his property along with dogfighting equipment.
Boystown resident Adam Gentry is one of those at the forefront of spreading the word in Chicago.
"I was just so upset that Nike is supporting Michael Vick. And now, all of the other companies following along like BET (Black Entertainment Television), Subway, Muscle Pharm and God knows what other unethical companies will sprout up and be boycotted." said Gentry
"I have many friends of Facebook and Twitter and I have been suggesting each and every Facebook boycott page to all of my friends. Probably 75% of them have hit the like button on the boycott pages. There is only one way to remedy this problem- for all companies involved to respond to the boycott and start answering the tough questions." added Gentry
At issue are thousands of consumers practicing several boycotts that first sprouted up on Facebook.
Yesterday on Facebook, a new page was launched being called, "Boycott Muscle Pharm", which had hundreds of supporters in just 2 hours.
Muscle Pharm is a company that sells a vast majority of non-approved FDA health supplements and other items like sportswear. They are being boycotted by many for their pairings with Michael Vick.
On the Facebook page, many are outraged at the companies ties with Michael Vick, using the page to post comments to the world- not fearing attaching their names to the page for the media to pick up on.
Commenter on the page, Mandy Dionne posted "I am absolutely LIVID! This man gets a second chance at life and thinks he has right his wrong by serving prison time and donating money to animal shelters and pitbull organizations, well, you couldnt be more WRONG! It is not right that this man get a second chance at millions of dollars after electrocuting, beating, and fighting pitbulls! He slammed them to the ground, left so many to die and even used bait dogs. Now most of these animals are dead and the funding came from his profession. Where is the pit bull's second chance? I am appauled! HOW DARE THE NFL, NIKE, SUBWAY AND ANYONE ELSE THAT WANTS TO SIGN OR SUPPORT MICHAEL VICK! Pitbulls are being banned around the country because of people like Michael Vick. Why are people such fools?? Don't they see?? The Pitbull is not the monster, it is Michael Vick and people such as him that are the monster. Why don't they start at the main source of the problem!!"
Other pages are also being created and gaining massive numbers of Facebook "likes".
"The Real No Way Nike No Michael Vick", "Boycott Nike and Michael Vick's Income", "Boycott BET for Mike Vick's 2011 Sportsman of the Year Award" are among several that are stepping into action to get their thoughts across to all of the companies that have any ties to Michael Vick.
Also yesterday, a Facebook user created a page called "Say Yes To Nike", and had a total of 59 followers after nearly 24 hours of going live on the social network scene. Shortly thereafter, the page changed their name (which can only be done under Facebook policy when you have less than 100 followers) to "Nike Support". After 24 hours of changing their page's name, they have a following of 65 people. This pales in comparison to nearly 50,000 people on other pages calling for boycotts.
Posted on "Boycott Nike And Michael Vick's Income", one outraged consumer wrote:
" It's ******** that he was ever re-signed in the NFL !!!!! What kind of message does the emit to kids? Oh, I know, I know!!! Abuse many, many animals, organize and reap financial benefits of illegal dog fighting practices, become a convicted felon that did nearly 2 years in prison, and then all's well that ends well because you'll be welcomed back with open arms to professional society."
Several consumers posting on these pages are calling for Subway, Nike, BET, Muscle Pharm and Michael Vick himself to donate 1 million dollars each to animal rescue.
Representatives for Muscle Pharm, Michael Vick, BET, Nike, and Subway were all unavailable for comments. Subway and Nike sent out to the media asking for comments emails saying that they "do not condone animal abuse" and that they "support Michael Vick based on the changes he has made in his life".
Facebook page "NO WAY SUBWAY" has the most members, now approaching 24,000 "likes".
The topic is even being presented from a religious standpoint, with commenter George Bjornsen saying, " "Pope John Paul II declared in a public audience in 1990 that 'Also the animals possess a soul and men must love and feel solidarity with our smaller brethren'.
Adding, He said, too, that they are the 'fruit of the creative action of the Holy Spirit and merit respect, and are as near to God as men are."
The official Facebook pages of several of the companies at issue have shut down the ability for postings, after several consumers voiced their opinions.
Subway itself appears to have noticed the anger of many of their former customers.
Commenter on "No Way Subway" Kelly Kirsch posted, "Could it be Subway is trolling this site? In the last three days I have received coupons via email to eat free at Subway for a week. Each time I ask to be unsubscribed, each day another coupon comes....."
People are stepping up and donating money to animal rescue while participating in the boycott. "Help save lives of countless dogs and cats! Can you help?"
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Breaking News Second Article/ Follow-Up:
A Facebook campaign that was launched shortly after Nike announced its pairings with convicted felon Michael Vick is continuing to grow, and Chicago residents are participating in boycotts.
So far a total of 5,650 people have “liked” the boycott Nike page, and nearly 23,000 people have “liked” the page “Say No To Subway”. A third Facebook page with 3,035 "likes" has also been started, Boycott BET for Michael Vick's 2011 Sportsman of The Year Award.
Anger sparked last weekend, when Nike announced they had re-signed the convicted animal abuser to a “lucrative endorsement deal”.
Prior to the deal, Nike dropped Vick nearly fours year ago amid his growing legal troubles.
Vick was then convicted and served 21 months in federal prison.
66 dogs including a total of 53 pit bulls and dogfighting equipment were seized on his property.
Mary Ellen Carr of Chicago is one of many who have clicked the “like” button on the “Boycott Nike For Signing Michael Vick” Facebook page.
“I am just so outraged. I’ve worn Nike’s for many years even though they use child labor to make products. That sort of just went under the radar. But now this, this terrible animal abusing convicted felon is signed with them. I’m boycotting and encouraging all of my friends to do the same.” Said Carr
The Vick/Nike controversy was further broadened; bringing the most popular Facebook page called “No Way To Subway.”
Subway, the popular sandwich chain, was the official sponsor for a BET (Black Entertainment Television) “Athlete Of The Year Award”.- Which was awarded to Michael Vick.
“No Way To Subway” has gained 22,430 Facebook “likes” since the page went up. The page also calls for boycotts of Nike and BET.
Subway restaurants across Chicago and suburbs appear to be having a decline in sales, says Bloomingdale resident Erma Cist.
“I’m sitting here in mall (food court) just staring at the Subway. It’s refreshing to see that there is nobody in line. Subway is getting exactly what they deserve,” said Cist, “the company obviously doesn’t realize that their stupid sponsorship of a dog murderer is hurting franchise owners. But I don’t care. If the owners don’t speak up it’s their own fault. What’s wrong is wrong.”
Those boycotting Subway are posting their opinions in a public format for the world to see using Facebook.
One commenter asked a question, and she got her answer within 4 minutes.
The question: “Could you tell me of a good link that will explain exactly what Vick did to the dogs. I want to be able to send it to ppl, because ppl seem to think the worst thing he did was help with dog fighting (which is bad enough)... but they either don’t know or don’t remember what horrible and cruel things that monster did.”
(A timeline of events can be found in this article: http://www.examiner.com/an imal-welfare-in-chicago/ni ke-michael-vick-outrage-ma n-says-they-should-make-sh oes-out-of-pit-bulls )
(Also- YOU can make a difference in the World of animals. Keep content coming and: Help save lives of countless dogs and cats! Can you help?)
The answer: “He tortured them, electrocuted them, slammed them to the ground when they didn't perform- one of the survivors still pees when she sees a person approach. They used bait dogs- dogs either stolen from yards or "adopted" from the shelter, then bound their mouth shut so they couldn't bite back and let his dogs "practice”. Michael Vick is a disgusting lowlife. I’ll never think different.”
Erma Cist is proposing local protests in the Chicago area, saying, “I think someone needs to come forward and organize events so that the public becomes aware that Nike and Subway endorse a dog murderer. I see outrage in the area, but I don’t see many people passing out flyers or waving signs. I’d do it, but I am 78 years old and my blood pressure is already high.”
Leave No Paws Behind, a Burbank CA non-profit posted on No Way Subway’s page saying:
“There are many that ask " How come we cannot forgive Vick and let him move on"? To those I say "Have you forgiven Manson, OJ, Casey and all of the other's who have committed murder(s)"? Somebody has to be the voice for those who were tortured, killed, taken too soon and not allowed to move on. We will never forget, we are the voice for those who were silenced long before their time and we will be heard...”
The growing outrage is evident as thousands of supporters hit the “like” button on Facebook pages.
Nike, Subway and BET were all unavailable for comment inclusion in this article.
Reported earlier this week in Examiner:
Chicago resident Terry Squarr said her 4th of July weekend was "ruined" after reading the news.
Nike has announced it's official pairing with convicted animal abuser Michael Vick. Nike re-signed the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback to a lucrative endorsement deal, nearly four years after dropping him amid his legal troubles.
"I was really disgusted when I saw the news." said Squarr, "I have been rescuing pit bulls for years and trying to curb the stereotypes. I have spent countless hours volunteering and I have seen the devastation that results from dog fighting."
Michael Vick, was convicted and served 21 months in federal prison for dogfighting. 66 abused dogs were seized at Vick's property (53 pit bulls) and dogfighting equipment. (see below for a timeline of events)
While many are upset at the Nike/Vick deal, some individuals have a different view.
Dan Weldon of Naperville was exiting a shoe store in Wheaton's Danada Square with a new pair of Nike's.
Weldon said, "It's really no big deal. So what. Vick is a smart guy that had a side business and fought pit bulls. Pit Bulls kill babies too so why not sit back and watch them kill each other? I'd love to watch a fight. I wish they would legalize it (dogfighting). People could make a lot of money."
Weldon went on to say, "It wouldn't be such a big *expletive* deal if this was about a white guy. But Vick is black so let's all cry about it. I think Nike should start making shoes out of pit bulls."
Squarr disagrees. "I was just so upset. I like Nike shoes but now I can't stand to look at them. I thought about starting a Facebook boycott against Nike myself until I saw there already was one. I've been using Twitter and reposting like crazy to get the word out. I also have emailed Nike and several shoe store chains and I get the same kind of form letter."
Within hours, the page had been "liked" by hundreds of outraged consumers.
Twitter also lit up with several celebrities chiming in about Michael Vick and Nike.
“One Tree Hill” star Sophia Bush said this:
“NIKE just signed Michael Vick!? Done. Over. Lost customer. NEVER wearing Nike again. #AnimalAbuseIsUnforgivable.The propensity to be cruel and ruthless toward a defenseless animal is sick, twisted, & unforgivable. #NOTaRoleModel.”
“Big Bang Theory” star Kaley Cuoco posted on her Twitter page, “Dear Nike, I’m disappointed.”
Also, last week BET (Black Entertainment Television) gave Vick the "Athlete of The Year Award" which was sponsored by the sandwich franchise chain, Subway. The Facebook campaign is also calling for a boycott of BET and Subway.
The Nike brand is not new to controversy.
According to Wikipedia,
During the 1990s, Nike faced criticism for use of child laborin Cambodia and Pakistan in factories it contracted to manufacture soccer balls. Although Nike took action to curb or at least reduce the practice of child labor, they continue to contract their production to companies that operate in areas where inadequate regulation and monitoring make it hard to ensure that child labor is not being used.
In 2001, a BBC documentary uncovered occurrences of child labor and poor working conditionsin a Cambodian factory used by Nike. In the documentary, six girls were focused on, all of whom worked seven days a week, often 16 hours a day.
A July 2008 investigation by Australian Channel 7 News found a large number of cases involving forced labor in one of the biggest Nike apparel factories.The factory located in Malaysia was filmed by an undercover crew who found instances of squalid living conditions and forced labor.
The Facebook campaign against Nike continues to rise in numbers and comments. And, Facebook users are not at all afraid to voice their opinions in a worldwide format where anyone can see them.
One commenter, Deanna Wahl wrote:
"This is the response I received from the email I sent to Nike: "We have signed Michael Vick as a Nike athlete. Michael acknowledges his past mistakes. We do not condone those actions, but we support the positive changes he has made to better himselfoff the field." Which is basically the statement they issued to the media. So the same can be said for Nike... "Though I acknowledge that Nike used to be the brand I purchased, the negative changes they have made have turned me on to other more morally positive brands."
Another outraged Facebook user, Cindy Stagner wrote:
"...Nike you look like a bunch of dumb A**es...Really he's not a dog MURDERER anymore- What a Joke...I never bought your (*expletive*) product anyways...Nike you SUCK..."
Petitions against Nike, Subway and BET have also sprouted up on care2 PetitionSite, where millions have signed various petitions and 1,243,331 people have joined the cause.
Animal welfare activists, animal lovers and anti-cruelty groups have started circulating a chronological timeline. The timeline is appearing in nearly every search engine and on social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, BlogSpot and Twitter.
Timeline
April 25, 2007: Police and animal-control seize 66 dogs (53 pit bulls and dogfighting evidence from property owned by Michael Vick. Dogs are distributed to six different animal control shelters throughout Virginia.
June 7, 2007: U.S. attorney's office, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Virginia State Police present warrant and search Vick's property.
July 2, 2007: Federal authorities file court documents alleging that a dogfighting venture had operated at the Vick property for the past five years. The U.S. attorney's office files papers seeking federal government ownership of 53 pit bulls that were among the dogs seized from Vick's property.
July 6, 2007: Federal authorities now on the case, evidence of dogfighting in the form of animal remains is discovered.
July 17, 2007: Vick and three other men are indicted by a federal grand jury on dog fighting charges for activity over a six year period.
July 19, 2007: Nike suspends the release of a new Vick footwear line, but allows current Vick products to remain for sale.
July 24, 2007: Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank holds a news conference and calls Vick’s behavior "horrific."
July 26, 2007: Vick pleads not guilty in federal court in Richmond, VA.
July 27, 2007: Reebok, Upper Deck Trading Cards and Rawlings Sports Goods ends relationship with Vick. Entering month four of confinement for dogs.
July 30, 2007: Co-defendant Tony Taylor pleads guilty to dog-fighting charges and agrees to cooperate with the prosecution. BAD RAP submits rescue proposal to federal prosecutor, requesting permission to evaluate dog’s for placement potential.
Aug. 1, 2007: Surry County Animal Control Officer James Smith about the Vick dogs,” They are in good shape,” he said. “They are not violent to humans.”
Aug. 17, 2007: Vick's other two co-defendants, Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips, plead guilty to dogfighting charges and admit to killing dogs "that did not perform well" by hanging and drowning.
Aug. 20, 2007: Vick's lawyer, Billy Martin, says that Vick agrees to plead guilty to dogfighting charges. BAD RAP and the ASPCA agree to partner to evaluate the dogs.
Aug. 23, 2007: Vick signs plea agreement and statement of facts admitting to conspiracy in a dogfighting ring and helping kill pit bulls. Dogs enter fourth month of confinement. PETA calls custody dogs "ticking time bombs" and advocates for euthanasia without evaluation.
Aug. 28, 2007: ASPCA announces plans to work with BAD RAP to evaluate Vick dogs. Entering month five of confinement for dogs. All groups begin a 'gag order' to prevent news leaks or publicity that might compromise the legal proceedings.
Sept. 3, 2007: BAD RAP officers Tim Racer and Donna Reynolds and colleague Justin Phillips from SPCA Monterey County leave CA to join Vick dog evaluation team in VA. Evaluations commence on Sept 4-6.
Sept. 9, 2007: BAD RAP submits evaluation results and recommendations for disposition of individual dogs to foster care homes and to sanctuary care.
Sept. 25, 2007: Entering month six of confinement for dogs.
Oct. 1, 2007: Motion filed in Virginia U. S. District Court to move all but one dog to foster families or sanctuaries. Reports reveal that only one dog displayed aggression towards humans and numerous dogs presented "no threat to other animals.'
Oct. 16, 2007: Professor and animal law expert Rebecca Huss of Valparaiso University School of Law named guardian of dogs in Vick case.
Oct. 17-20, 2007: BAD RAP officer Tim Racer returns to VA to accompany Guardian/Special Master Rebecca Huss in conducting Round Two of dog evaluations. BAD RAP works with Huss to arrange interim foster care of 16 foster/observation status dogs so they can receive relief from shelter confinement. USDA approves interim foster care transport plans.
Oct. 21, 2007: Three dogs quietly leave the shelters with east coast rescue groups. BAD RAP representatives begin cross-country road trip to bring 13 dogs to new lives with three different organizations on the west coast.
Oct. 23, 2007: 13 dogs arrive in Oakland, CA and move into NorCA foster homes.
Nov. 6, 2007: BAD RAP representative Nicole Rattay relocates to VA to begin six weeks of daily exercise and care for the dogs still remaining in shelter. Nicole's daily updates and observations of sheltered dogs offer invaluable insights that allow Special Master Huss to create placement matches with approved rescue organizations.
Nov. 12, 2007: Deadline closes for rescues to submit applications.
Nov 20, 2007: U. S. District Court orders Michael Vick to pay $928,073.00 as "restitution" for expenses incurred in caring for "the victim pit bulls."
Dec. 3, 2007: Special Master Guardian Rebecca Huss submits recommendations for disposition of Vick dogs to Judge Hudson in Special Master Report Eight groups named to be permanent caretakers of Vick dogs.
Dec. 10, 2007: Michael Vick is sentenced to 23 months in jail in a federal courthouse in Richmond, VA. BAD RAP reps Tim Racer and Nicole Rattay attend sentencing.
Dec. 17, 2007: USDA signs 10 dogs over to BAD RAP's permanent custody, roughly eight months after being seized from Bad Newz Kennels. Dogs transition into family settings in preparation for adoption into qualified homes.
Jan. 25, 2008: The final defendant (Owen Allen) sentenced, America
gets its first glimpse of the dogs that were given a second chance.
First of Breaking News:
Chicago resident Terry Squarr says her 4th of July weekend was "ruined" after reading the news.
Nike has announced it's official pairing with convicted animal abuser Michael Vick. Nike re-signed the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback to a lucrative endorsement deal, nearly four years after dropping him amid his legal troubles.
"I was really disgusted when I saw the news." said Squarr, "I have been rescuing pit bulls for years and trying to curb the stereotypes. I have spent countless hours volunteering and I have seen the devastation that results from dog fighting."
Michael Vick, was convicted and served 21 months in federal prison for dogfighting. 66 abused dogs were seized at Vick's property (53 pit bulls) and dogfighting equipment. (see below for a timeline of events)
While many are upset at the Nike/Vick deal, some individuals have a different view.
Dan Weldon of Naperville was exiting a shoe store in Wheaton's Danada Square with a new pair of Nike's.
Weldon said, "It's really no big deal. So what. Vick is a smart guy that had a side business and fought pit bulls. Pit Bulls kill babies too so why not sit back and watch them kill each other? I'd love to watch a fight. I wish they would legalize it (dogfighting). People could make a lot of money."
Weldon went on to say, "It wouldn't be such a big *expletive* deal if this was about a white guy. But Vick is black so let's all cry about it. I think Nike should start making shoes out of pit bulls."
Squarr disagrees. "I was just so upset. I like Nike shoes but now I can't stand to look at them. I thought about starting a Facebook boycott against Nike myself until I saw there already was one. I've been using Twitter and reposting like crazy to get the word out. I also have emailed Nike and several shoe store chains and I get the same kind of form letter."
Within hours, the page had been "liked" by hundreds of outraged consumers.
Twitter also lit up with several celebrities chiming in about Michael Vick and Nike.
“One Tree Hill” star Sophia Bush said this:
“NIKE just signed Michael Vick!? Done. Over. Lost customer. NEVER wearing Nike again. #AnimalAbuseIsUnforgivable. The propensity to be cruel and ruthless toward a defenseless animal is sick, twisted, & unforgivable. #NOTaRoleModel.”
“Big Bang Theory” star Kaley Cuoco posted on her Twitter page, “Dear Nike, I’m disappointed.”
Also, last week BET (Black Entertainment Television) gave Vick the "Athlete of The Year Award" which was sponsored by the sandwich franchise chain, Subway. The Facebook campaign is also calling for a boycott of BET and Subway.
The Nike brand is not new to controversy.
According to Wikipedia,
During the 1990s, Nike faced criticism for use of child labor in Cambodia and Pakistan in factories it contracted to manufacture soccer balls. Although Nike took action to curb or at least reduce the practice of child labor, they continue to contract their production to companies that operate in areas where inadequate regulation and monitoring make it hard to ensure that child labor is not being used.
In 2001, a BBC documentary uncovered occurrences of child labor and poor working conditions in a Cambodian factory used by Nike. In the documentary, six girls were focused on, all of whom worked seven days a week, often 16 hours a day.
A July 2008 investigation by Australian Channel 7 News found a large number of cases involving forced labour in one of the biggest Nike apparel factories. The factory located in Malaysia was filmed by an undercover crew who found instances of squalid living conditions and forced labour.
The Facebook campaign against Nike continues to rise in numbers and comments. And, Facebook users are not at all afraid to voice their opinions in a world-wide format where anyone can see them.
One commenter, Deanna Wahl wrote:
"This is the response I received from the email I sent to Nike: "We have signed Michael Vick as a Nike athlete. Michael acknowledges his past mistakes. We do not condone those actions, but we support the positive changes he has made to better himself off the field." Which is basically the statement they issued to the media. So the same can be said for Nike... "Though I acknowledge that Nike used to be the brand I purchased, the negative changes they have made have turned me on to other more morally positive brands."
Another outraged Facebook user, Cindy Stagner wrote:
"...Nike you look like a bunch of dumb A**es...Really he's not a dog MURDERER anymore- What a Joke...I never bought your (*expletive*) product anyways...Nike you SUCK..."
Petitions against Nike, Subway and BET have also sprouted up on care2 PetitionSite, where millions have signed various petitions and 1,243,331 people have joined the cause.
Animal welfare activists, animal lovers and anti-cruelty groups have started circulating a chronological timeline. The timeline is appearing in nearly every search engine and on social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, BlogSpot and Twitter.
Sources:
Personal interviews
Examiner article: http://www.examiner.com/animal-welfare-in-chicago/nike-michael-vick-outrage-man-says-they-should-make-shoes-out-of-pit-bulls
“Say No To Subway”: http://www.facebook.com/pages/NO-WAY-Subway/173935239336924
“Boycott Nike For Signing Michael Vick” http://www.facebook.com/pages/Boycott-Nike-for-Signing-Michael-Vick/233317890026111
Wikipedia: http://www.wikipedia.org
Bad Rap: http://www.badrap.org/rescue/vick/
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