A reader on AsAmNews’ Facebook page called for Asians to boycott United after seeing video of a Chinese passenger being forcibly removed from the plane to make room for United employees.
That reader isn’t the only one supporting a boycott.
The Shanghaiist reports the boycott has become a trending topic on the Chinese social media platform, Weibo. According to Fortune, United’s stock dropped 2.5 percent in pre-market trading after jumping one percent yesterday. United claims it operates more US-China non-stop flights than any other airline.
The doctor has been identified by USA Today and the Courier Journal as David Dao, a physician and father from Elizabethtown near Louisville. According to the Courier Journal, Dao has a checkered past. The paper reports that public records indicate Dao was convicted of drug related offenses in 2004 and that documents from the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure allege he fraudulently prescribed drugs and was sexually involved with a patient.
Still, the incident has given United a black eye and public relations nightmare.
Journalist Steven Thrasher went on a 37 part Twitter rant calling the incident an act of racial violence.
38. (Not surprised by #AllLivesMatter arguments from those who oppose racial consideration of what this violence against an Asian man means)
— Steven Thrasher (@thrasherxy) April 10, 2017
Can I get this on my tombstone @nigelmfs? pic.twitter.com/OXTZGFT8MX
— Steven Thrasher (@thrasherxy) April 11, 2017
In a statement, United CEO Oscar Munoz said “This situation was unfortunately compounded when one of the passengers we politely asked to deplane refused and it became necessary to contact Chicago Aviation Security Officers to help.
“Treating our customers and each other with respect and dignity is at the core of who we are, and we must always remember this no matter how challenging the situation.”
Unfortunately for the airline, it has a lot more explaining to do.
A petition on Whitehouse.gov demanding an investigation into the incident this morning had generated more than 50,000 signatures in less than 24 hours. That’s more than half the 100,000 signatures needed to generate a White House response.
The Department of Transportation is investigating the incident and one security officer involved has been suspended, reported WGN.
The passenger who identified himself as a doctor who had to take the flight to see patients has not been identified, but he was seen bloodied and confused after the incident.
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RE: Updated: Passenger Identified. Calls for United Boycott Spread.Guard Suspended. United Responds: United is so low to dig up his past. I hope media won’t buy into this. No matter what he did in the past, last Sunday night, he was assaulted for being unfortunately bought a ticket and boarded the United. I will never fly with United again. We have to vote with our money.
RE: Updated: Passenger identified, Calls for United Boycott Spread, Guard Suspended. United Responds: It doesn’t matter if his past isn’t perfect. What matters is the way he was treated. A paying passenger bloodied by the security forces. There is no justification for this behavior. I plan to boycott UA, not that I fly much. Their behavior and attitude is inexcusable.
RE: Updated: Passenger Identified. Calls for United Boycott Spread. Guard Suspended. United Responds: The security guard should not have treated him that way no matter what his orders from United Airlines stated. The passenger did nothing wrong to warrant anyone putting their hands on his person! United is going to blame everyone but themselves. I’m sure the investigation is not going to blame United either but the security guards.
RE: UPDATED: Passenger Identified. Calls for United boycott Spread. Guard Suspended. United Responds: Apparently United makes mistreating their passengers a normal thing. Here is another story!
United passenger threatened with handcuffs to make room for ‘higher-priority’ traveler – Los Angeles Times
https://apple.news/Axw4KvrGoQCC4Hs5SeZ14yA