Labron James Says no to Darfur Protest

Labron James probably couldn't tell you what continent Darfur is in and maybe doesn't know anything about the horror going on there. He refused to sign a letter condemning China's trade with Sudan which is to blame for much of the death and misery in Darfur. James is a ballplayer he lives and breathes basketball. It's possible he never reads, watches, or listens to the news. It's similer to Michael Jordan refusing to speak ill of Nike's international policies. I thought less of Jordan after that but both men get a HUGE chunk of money from Nike, etal.

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Photo: Bartcop

Labron James Refuses to Sign Protest Letter

LeBron James must have given hundreds, if not thousands of autographs in his three years of NBA stardom.
It took just one polite "no" to a different kind of autograph request recently for the 22-year-old forward to stir up a hornets' nest.
James was asked to sign an open letter, written by Cleveland Cavaliers teammate Ira Newble, condemning China's government for contributing to the genocide of people in the Darfur region of Sudan.
"China cannot be a legitimate host to the premier international event in the sporting world - the Summer Olympic Games - while it remains complicit in the terrible suffering and destruction that continues to this day," Newble wrote.
China is thought to buy a huge amount of Sudanese oil. The African country is then said to spend much of that oil money on obtaining weapons and technology from China.
Sudan is also accused of arming the Arab militia, the Janjaweed, who in turn use the weapons to murder innocent people in the Darfur region.
Newble's letter was signed by most of the Cavalier players, but not James, who said he didn't have enough information about the issue, or Damon Jones, who refused comment.
James has a huge contract with Nike, a company that has business interests in China, while Jones is to endorse products from a Chinese shoe and apparel company. http://thebridge.typepad.com/thebridge/2007/05/bball_star_jame.html