The Sheffield Star is offering a drink out with Mike Tyson, a convicted rapist, as a competition prize.
http://incurable-hippie.blogspot.com/2005/11/un-fuckin-believable.html Re:
http://www.sheffieldtoday.net/mk4custompages/custompage.aspx?pageid=54246 - MEET Boxing Legend Mike Tyson. Dear
starnews@sheffieldnewspapers.co.uk - Editor / starletters@sheffieldnewspapers.co.uk / Letters Page, I am writing to complain strongly against your competition, the prize of which is to go out for a drink with Mike Tyson.
As you will know, Mike Tyson is a convicted rapist and when he attempted to come to this country several years ago there were national protests, in particular by women's groups.
Your description of him in the competition literature discusses his boxing success but makes no mention at all of the controversy in other aspects of his life, including the conviction of rape.
Promoting such a man is appalling and irresponsible, and I understand that in other parts of the country protests are also mounting. In Derby, for example, a Domestic Violence group called
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/10/326191.html - Next Step are running a campaign, supported by local people, against a visit there. Giving any publicity to such a man - never mind suggesting going for a drink with him as a prize for a competition - is a measure which will outrage and upset many people in Sheffield and South Yorkshire. The Sheffield Star's part in this suggests a complete disregard for the women here and elsewhere who have survived rape, sexual violence and domestic violence, and those who haven't survived.
Sports men and women are more and more considered heroes and role models. Please don't let this man appear that way to any of the young people who will come across your paper. We need to stand up against bullies and rapists, not celebrate them.
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