Finnish food activists threaten to execute Ronald McDonald
A Finnish group calling itself the Food Liberation Army on Wednesday posted a spoof terrorist-style clip on video sharing website YouTube, with five masked characters threatening to "execute" Ronald McDonald if the fast food giant failed to answer a series of questions.
The group "kidnapped" the mascot from a McDonald's restaurant in Helsinki's Ruoholahti on Monday.
"We love burgers, fries and McDonald's but we can no longer watch in silence when the food we love is being destroyed and brought to shame because of greed and indifference," the central figure in the clip proclaims behind a hooded Ronald McDonald.
"Because of your short-sightedness your burgers have become nearly inedible."
The man goes on to demand answers to pressing questions ranging from animal welfare to obesity and adds that McDonald's has until 11 February to respond if they wanted Ronald back "alive".
Heli Ryhänen, a McDonald's spokeswoman, said the company did not negotiate with criminals, adding the chain had reported the theft to the police.
Ryhänen said the activists had taken the mascot after presenting forged documents to restaurant workers.
http://newsroom.finland.fi/public/de...3&newsid=29436
A YouTube video was posted by the FLA yesterday.
So here in full (and subtitled in English) the Food Liberation Army poses their questions to McDonalds:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcBuRSzCbM8
WE HAVE KIDNAPPED RONALD MCDONALD
We are the Food Liberation Army, and we hope that this extreme action will take us towards a better and safer food future.
Two days ago we kidnapped Ronald McDonald from a McDonald's Restaurant. If you do not answer all the questions we will execute Ronald on Friday February 11, 2011 at 6:30PM EET.
We love burgers, fries and McDonald's, but we can no longer watch silent when the food we love is being destroyed and brought to shame because of greed and indifference. Because of your short-sightedness your burgers have become nearly inedible.
That is why we want to help McDonald's to save food. We made you a list of questions we want you to answer. We hope that your answers will make you understand the dilapidation of the food culture we love and the appropriate measures.
1. Why are you not open about the manufacturing processes, raw materials and additives used in your products? What are you afraid?
2. How many tons of un-recycled waste you produce per year? Why do you not publish that figure?
3. Do you operate with unethical actors, such as illegal immigrants? Why?
4. Why do not you take responsibility of your culinary consequences? Why do you not seek to prevent obesity, diabetes and their ramification deceases?
5. Why do you not just use ethically produced meat? Do you not think it should be a goal for everyone to serve meat of an animal that has has had a good, clean and drug free life? Why is it not your goal?
6. Why is cheap production cost your main value?
7. Do you think your only goal is to maximize your owners´s profits? What do you think would happen if you begin to produce quality to your customers?
8. You are big and global player that reaches a significant part of the earth's people. Why do you use your power to short-sightedly maximize profits and not to create a better world ?
We are not alone, but represent a rapidly growing population. We have moved quickly towards better quality and ethicality of consumption. It is in your interest to answer our questions publicly, and develop your activities through them. Only this way you will survive in the future. Listen to our message and the Move. We will reward you by eating more of your burgers.
You have until Friday February 11 at 6:30PM EET to respond to freedomronald@gmail.com.
Silence is interpreted a negative answer. Have a nice day.
http://www.freeronald.org/en/
John -
