Amazon’s Praise For Marcus Rashford Backfires Spectacularly
Amazon, the tech giant owned by the richest person in the world, tweeted praise for man of the moment Marcus Rashford over his incredible work to stop poor children going hungry – and it not go down well.
Its Prime Video Sport sent support to the England star on Twitter, calling him a “national hero”.
But the gesture backfired somewhat, given ongoing criticism for the firm over tax avoidance and its decision to base its European operations in low-tax state Luxembourg. It also relies on wide-scale use of zero-hours contracts and accusations of workers being overstretched in warehouses.
Marcus Rashford is a national hero ❤️👏 pic.twitter.com/iU70HCigsT
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) October 23, 2020
The tweet was greeted with a cacophony of users calling on the firm to pay more tax and for its owner Jeff Bezos – who is officially the world’s richest person – to share some of his personal £148.5 billion wealth for the causes Rashford is championing.
One user asked: “What about you ask Jeff to chip a few quid in to help the campaign, eh?”
He is. What about you ask Jeff to chip a few quid in to help the campaign, eh?
— The Ragamuffins (@TheRagamuffins) October 23, 2020
I don't think a company that withholds millions in tax should be trying to comment on the good deeds of others. Huge yikes. Earn your own good karma, and PAY YOUR TAX!!!
— Ryan Walker (@RyanSkyWalker) October 23, 2020
Imagine how many kids your unpaid taxes could feed?
— LewisL (@thedoublel_) October 23, 2020
Football star Rashford has vowed to continue campaigning to extend free school meals over the holidays despite MPs voting again the measure.
The Manchester United forward told politicians to “stop stigmatising, judging and pointing fingers” as he warned a “significant number” of children will go to bed hungry and “feeling like they do not matter” because of comments made during the debate.
He called on people to “unite” to protect the most...
