Statement from Judy and Dennis Shepard Concerning 20/20 Upcoming Report on the Murder of Matthew Shepard
On November 9, ABC-TV announced their intention to air a report on the hate crime and murder of our son, Matthew. The ABC press release was sensationalistic in nature and its implications have caused many of us to be concerned. As a reputable news magazine show, 20/20 has an obligation to its viewers to present fair and truthful reporting, regardless of the subject matter. Based on the problematic wording of their press release, it appears that 20/20 may have strayed from this policy in the interest of strong ratings. We appreciate everyone's concern. We will be issuing a more complete statement following 20/20's broadcast.
ABC News did not return repeated requests for an advance copy of the program.
http://www.matthewshepard.org/
They also have refused requests from GLAAD.
There is only one business day left until the show airs, and I realize people have a lot on their minds at Thanksgiving - but still if you can spare a minute to call or email today :(
PLEASE PASS THIS ON - FORWARD IT TO ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS/Groups
http://www.boycott4matthew.org/
UPDATE - The Kimberly Clark AND Fund for Animals will NOT be sponsoring this bit of
holocaust revisionism - they have been removed from the contact list.
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For your Thanksgiving viewing this Nov 26th, ABCs television show 20/20 is
planning an "expose" of Matthew Shepard's murder.
In a press release promoting the show, ABC promised "surprising revelations, including Laramie's underground world of methamphetamine use that may have contributed to the crime and whether or not Shepard knew his killers."
http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/33855.htm
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If you are as offended as I am by this "journalism" I hope that you
will DO SOMETHING - Specifically:
1) Contact the sponsors of 20/20 and express to them your outrage
that they would sponsor such a show.
Call their 800 numbers
Email them (links below)
(Please be polite - they probably don't realize what ABC has planned)
- PASS THIS ON - FORWARD it to everyone you know and every group that you belong to.
- If the show airs, boycott it's sponsors - I will monitor the show and
prepare a list.
Don't let them get away with this slime - boycott for Matthews' sake.
Patrick ONeill
Links at:
http://www.boycott4matthew.org/
------- Sponsors of 20/20 ----------------------
Capital One
Email: webinfo@capitalone.com
Customer Relations 1-800-955-7070
S.C. Johnson (Oust Air freshener)
http://www.scjbrands.com/contact/
1.800.494.4855
Colgate-Palmolive
mailto:Allison_Klimerman@colpal.com
1-800-468-6502
Pizza Hut
1-800-948-8488
http://www.pizzahut.com/contact/feedback_type.asp
Phillip Morris - pmusa.com
1-800-343-0975
http://pmusa.com/contact_us/contact_us_by_email.asp?action=init
Hanes
http://www.hanes.com/contactus.jsp
1-800-994-4348)
Outback Steakhouse
http://www.outbacksteakhouse.com/contactus/contactus.asp?Category=CATEGORY19
Stephanie Amberg at 813-282-1225
Oral B - a Gillette company
1-800-566-7252
http://gillette.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/gillette.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php
Burlington Coat Factory
http://www.coat.com/contact/webform1.shtml
Pepperedge Farms - Campbells
http://www.pepperidgefarm.com/contact.asp
Nexium _ Astra Zenica - purplepill.com
800-4-nexium