Google Will Stream GOP Convention Despite Backlash From Activists
Activists are pressuring Google to withdraw over Trump's "hateful rhetoric."
— -- Google will once again live-stream the Republican National Convention and provide a host of services, despite pressure from activists to pull out of the convention.
Representatives from groups such as CREDO Action and UltraViolet Action are running petitions urging Google to end its participation.
"Plain and simple - Donald Trump, the prospective Republican Party nominee, has lobbed racist, sexist and xenophobic attacks against entire groups of people, encouraged violence and vitriol against his political enemies and perpetuated a culture of violence against women throughout his campaign," said Karin Roland, chief campaigns officer for UltraViolet action, a women's activist group. "We are saddened to see Google not only eagerly align themselves with these values, but to actively work to promote them via their live-stream capabilities."
Google will live-stream the July 18-21 convention as it did four years ago. Google's participation is said to be nonpartisan and similar to that of a media partner. The search giant will also provide information, such as Google Trends and real-time updates, as the convention takes place. It was not immediately known whether Google will do the same at the Democratic convention, although the company has had a presence there in years past.
Other companies have also been under fire for their role in supporting the GOP convention. Companies typically partner with conventions to provide support or to publicize their brand. The New York Times reported in March that Coca-Cola had scaled back its support of the convention compared to the company's contribution in 2012.
"Our support helps the host committees run these large events and contributes to local economic development but does not represent an endorsement of any specific party or candidate," a Coca-Cola representative told ABC News in an email. "In 2015, a $75,000 contribution was made by the Company to both the Cleveland 2016 Host Committee and Philadelphia 2016 Host Committee. The Coca-Cola Company is a nonpartisan business and does not endorse presidential candidates or nominees, nor do we endorse any specific party."
