Is C Spire benefiting from taking a stand against the Olympics' opening ceremony?
The Mississippi-based tech company is receiving heaps of praise for pulling its Olympic advertising over controversial opening ceremony
The Outnumbered panel discussed why the Olympics are facing fierce backlash as critics accuse the organizers of mocking Christianity with a depiction of drag queens at the Last Supper.
C Spire, the Mississippi-based tech and telecommunications company that pulled its Olympics advertising over the games' controversial opening ceremony, appears to be the only firm to push back against performance.
Although it may be too early to tell whether the move benefited C Spire in any way, the company earned plaudits from several individuals and groups for taking a stand.
Olympia, Paris 2024, Opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics. The performance was hit with heavy backlash over accusations that a segment mocked the Christian faith. (Photo by Sven Hoppe/picture alliance via Getty Images / Getty Images)
After the opening ceremony drew outrage from some viewers who accused the organizers of mocking Christianity by parodying "The Last Supper" in a live performance that featured drag queens, C Spire posted on X, "We were shocked by the mockery of the Last Supper during the opening ceremonies of the Paris Olympics. C Spire will be pulling our advertising from the Olympics."
WHAT IS C SPIRE, THE COMPANY THAT PULLED OLYMPIC ADVERTISING?
C Spire's post was praised by several high-profile conservatives, including Republican Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, who wrote on the platform, "I am proud to see the private sector in Mississippi step up and put their foot down. God will not be mocked. C Spire drew a common-sense, appropriate line."
The American Family Association (AFA), a Mississippi-based non-profit that advocates for pro-family values in the culture wars, launched a petition encouraging its followers to thank C Spire for distancing itself from the Olympics over the ceremony.
ARE OTHER COMPANIES FOLLOWING C SPIRE AND CANCELING OLYMPIC ADVERTISING?
"It is encouraging when companies like C Spire respect the Christian faith," AFA wrote in its message. "C Spire deserves our recognition for doing the right thing."
C Spire logo during the game between the Ole Miss Rebels and the Missouri Tigers on January 18, 2022, at The Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, MS. (Photo by Chris McDill/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images / Getty Images)
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As of this writing, the petition has more than 21,000 signatories of a letter to C Spire CEO Suzy Hays, which reads:
"I am thankful for C Spire’s decision to pull all advertising from the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Like you, I was appalled by the mockery of the "Last Supper" during the opening ceremony.
Thank you for respecting the Christian faith and for your company’s actions in standing against religious hatred."