Peter Tatchell climbs in to Coke over Sochi sponsorship

 
p16 p17 diary Political Activist Peter Tatchell Photographer: ALEX LENTATI Copyright: Evening Standard
ALEX LENTATI
23 December 2013

As Downing Street prevaricates over whether David Cameron will be attending the Sochi Winter Olympics, Peter Tatchell has swung into action. Yesterday the doughty campaigner ambushed Coca-Cola’s Christmas event in Covent Garden to protest against its sponsorship of the Games.

Tatchell tried to climb on to the roof of the Coke truck in Covent Garden piazza as staff handed out free drinks, but he was hauled down by a security guard. He then joined other protesters to stand in front of the truck, urging people to “boycott Coke”.

“Things go worse with Coke, in Russia,” they chanted.

“Coke is sponsoring the Sochi Winter Olympics, without even a murmur of unease at the anti-gay and repressive policies of the Putin government. It is shameful acquiescence with oppression,” said Tatchell.

Coca-Cola is one of several sponsors of the Sochi Winter Olympics including Visa, McDonald’s, Panasonic, General Electric, Omega, Dow, Atos, Samsung and Procter & Gamble.

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