Portland Tribune - Parents ask McDonald’s to ban Ronald

By Angela Webber

Feb 3, 2011

JUST SAY NO — Campaigners presented 500 signatures to McDonald’s representatives in Cedar Mill Wednesday morning asking the company to ‘retire’ Ronald McDonald.

The fast-food giant’s unhealthy food and marketing targeted at children caused the group to gather 500 petition signatures from local parents. That petition was presented Wednesday morning to the Cedar Mill McDonald’s and representatives of Don Armstrong, who owns 14 McDonald’s restaurants in the Portland area.

The group said they hope their message will make its way to the corporation.

“There is no debate about whether the aggressive marketing of McDonald’s-style junk food to children should be stopped,” said Dr. Martin Donohoe, senior physician at Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center in Clackamas. “The industry knows it’s unethical.

“Health professionals like myself deal with the consequences of the marketing every day. Children are getting sick with diet-related conditions like diabetes at younger and younger ages. It breaks your heart, and it’s time for the industry leader to do its part.”

McDonald’s reportedly spends $2 billion on marketing every year, 40 percent of which is directly aimed at children, said organizer Grace Morris of Corporate Accountability International.

“Ronald McDonald is a symbol for this food that makes kids sick,” said Morris after the event.

And that’s why the group wants McDonald’s to retire the friendly clown.

The corporation has no intention of doing that, however, according to a statement presented to the protesters:

“Ronald McDonald is not retiring. He is the heart and soul of Ronald McDonald House Charities, which lends a helping hand to families in their time of need, particularly when families need to be near their critically-ill children in hospitals. Ronald also helps deliver messages to families on many important subjects such as safety, literacy and the importance of physical activity and making balanced food choices.”

The event in Cedar Mill, and similar ones in New York, Vermont and New Hampshire, were organized by Corporate Accountability International, a 30-year-old national organization.

“For nearly 50 years, McDonald’s has pumped billions into marketing campaigns targeting our kids – with devastating effects on children’s health,” said Morris. “Franchise owners like Don Armstrong have a critical role to play in compelling the burger giant to stop the predatory marketing of junk food to our kids. Ronald deserves a break…and so do we.”

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