While surfing Facebook today, I ran across “Boycott Mountaintop Removal Supporters,” who state that Wendy’s Supports Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining.
From their Facebook page:
Please support the citizens of West Virginia whose homes are being destroyed by mountaintop removal by boycotting Wendy’s.
The coal industry created the PR front group Friends of Coal primarily to change the meaning of pro-coal to pro-mountaintop removal. The organization spends millions in pro-mountaintop removal propaganda and lobbying efforts. Though touted as a grass-roots campaign, FOC actually gets most of its funding from corporations.
Wendy’s said they realized they would be the subject of a national boycott but did not seem to care. Apparently they do not know that awareness about mountaintop removal is spreading, and that more and more people are ready to take a stand any way they can against this repulsive practice.
Though Wendy’s maintains that they cannot force the 35 restaurants to take down the signs, they refused to release a public statement saying they do not support mountaintop removal. Quite the contrary, Wendy’s claimed that mountaintop removal is not a political issue but an economic necessity for communities in Appalachia. Needless to say, this is a slap in the face to the thousands who have lost or are in the process of losing their homes, forests, water, and livelihoods.
Moreover, I find it hard to believe that Wendy’s cannot control the images displayed in its stores. After all, the FOC emblems are right up there with the little picture of Wendy herself. If there was a big sign supporting something they found offensive, I have no doubt they would hasten to take it down.
The author goes on to ask us to join the people impacted by mountaintop removal and boycott Wendy’s everywhere. Petition.
So there you have it, another corporation bowing down to Big Coal. But what Wendy’s doesn’t seem to realize is that if they have restaurants in coal country, they don’t have to put up signs supporting coal, all they have to do is sell their food. Mountaintop destroyers will buy their burgers whether they put signs in their windows or not.
I haven’t eaten at a Wendy’s in at least 5 years, but even if I did, I would now be boycotting them until they remove the signs that support an industry that kills over 130,000 Americans every year, and has caused Mercury to be found in 100% of fish tested in the U.S.
Join us by signing the petition, becoming a friend of the Facebook Page, boycotting the Wendy’s franchise, or even write them a letter or give them a call to tell them what you think!
Wendy’s Consumer Relations – United States
Wendy’s International, Inc.
One Dave Thomas Blvd.
Dublin, OH 43017
Phone: (614) 764-3100, ext. 2032
Photo by Maria Gunnoe, ohvec.org and goldmanprize.org
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Infuriating! Thank you so much for posing this. I can’t remember the last time I hit up a Wendy’s, but this pretty much seals that I won’t be visiting there again.
Thank you for spreading the word.
Our facebook group now has over 1000 members.
With a network like this, we can really put pressure on companies that curry favor with the mountaintop removal industry.
Thank you!
I seriously hate that a fast food restaurant shares my name… and I find their arrogance and ignorance unconscionable! I’ll sign the petition and since I don’t eat there, I will continue not to eat there and tell everyone I know not to eat there! Thanks for getting the word out about them!
Looks like the FB fans not only don’t eat at Wendy’s anyway, but aren’t living in communities dependant on coal.
Neither do I, but I realize the broader complexity compared to a small sign in a 35 restaurants.
If you’re concerned with mountaintop removal, as I am, stay focused.
Alright looks like I found my new favorite place to eat!