Dear John,
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When Olympic-level track and field athlete, Gwen Berry, raised her fist on
the awards podium two years ago to protest racial injustice, she was
treated like a pariah. All of her corporate sponsors dropped her. The
United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and the
International Olympic Committee (IOC) condemned her. Gwen was left without
the income she needed to continue her hammer-throwing training and prepare
for the upcoming Olympics.^1
Since then, Color Of Change has stepped in to provide Gwen with financial
sponsorship in support of her fight for justice. And in the face of a
worldwide reckoning with anti-Black racism, the USOPC, who originally
punished Gwen, changed their stance on protests, expressing they will not
punish athletes who use the Olympic stage to protest the racial injustices
that Black people face daily.^2 But the IOC has not. Instead of supporting
the athletes who fight for justice, the IOC is doubling down, committing
to its discriminatory Rule 50 ban on protests. The IOC specifically noted
it will punish athletes who raise a fist, take a knee, or wear clothing
that states Black Lives Matter.^3
Protesting for justice is not what’s unacceptable; it’s the IOC’s
discriminatory stance on protests. We have already challenged the IOC to
do better, but they doubled down instead. Now, we’re demanding the
corporations who sponsor the Olympics to step in.
We are less than two months from the Olympics Games. Make a $10
contribution now to help us fight against the IOC’s discriminatory Rule 50
ban on racial justice protests.
[ [link removed] ]DONATE NOW
Until justice is real,
The Color Of Change team
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References:
1. “I Used the Podium to Protest. The Olympic Committee Punished Me.,”
The New York Times, September 7, 2020,
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2. “Listening to athletes, USOPC won’t punish Olympic protests,”
Associated Press News, December 10, 2020,
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3. “The IOC Is Now Daring Olympic Athletes to Protest,” The Nation, May
13, 2021,
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[ [link removed] ]Color Of Change is building a movement to elevate the voices of Black
folks and our allies, and win real social and political change. Please
help keep our movement strong.
[ [link removed] ]Make a Donation
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