The firing of three interns by the Organization of Chinese Americans is renewing a debate over whether corporate sponsors are exerting undue influence over civil rights organizations, reports the Nation.
The interns were let go after they posted a video on their personal social media accounts showing them making a rude gesture at a Walmart logo.
Intern Lisa Lei said she had raised concerns about the construction of a Walmart in Los Angeles’ Chinatown at OCA’s convention, but was told not to be critical of the group’s sponsors.
According to tax records inspected by the Nation, Walmart has given OCA $164,000 in recent years.
Tom Hayashi, executive director of OCA, says his group does not take a confrontation approach to issues and works closely with its business partners to encourage the hiring of more Asian American managers and at all levels of the corporation.
But an examination by the Nation also reveals OCA has taken positions on non-civil rights issues with no bearing on OCA’s mission except to benefit the group’s sponsors.
For instance tobacco-maker Philip Morris list the civil rights group as a supporter in its fight against a government lawsuit against the tobacco industry. OCA filed its support for Southwest Airlines request to build a route between Houston’s Hobby Airport and Reagan National.
Hayashi said he had no comment.