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Behold the power of a free leg, thigh, two sides and a biscuit. Forget social injustice. You want to organize a sit-in? Try denying folks their right to free Kentucky fried...erm, um...I mean grilled chicken.
You see, yesterday Oprah offered coupons to all of her viewers that entitled them to one two piece grilled chicken meal. The offer is good from now until May 19th, 2009. First of all, the coupon server is way overloaded and it's damn near impossible to get the thing to download. And even if you managed that, as many did, not every franchise operator is down with Oprah's offer.
So leave it to the denizens of New York City to take their protest to the next level. According to eyewitnesses, folks staged a sit-in after being denied free grilled meat with sides. WTF?!? This aint a '50s lunch counter folks.
I went over to our nearest KFC a few minutes ago...and chaos ensued. Despite the very visible grilled chicken behind the register, the manager told everyone with coupons to leave and that the promotion was over for the day. The people there are currently holding a sit-in and refusing to leave until they get their free chicken .. .or the cops are called. Racial epithets were being spewed, people who actually wanted to pay for chicken were facing a potential beatdown, and the manager ran from the screaming horde. Oprah, what have ye wrought?Source: KFC's Refusal to Give Away Grilled Chicken Sparks Sit-In? Gothamist.com
So is this what we've come to? Can't get people to organize around the crisis of impoverished schools or our well funded, for-profit, out-of-control prison industrial complex, for example; but deprive people of their free two piece, or just delay it for a day, and all hell breaks loose.
Convince me I'm wrong. If you have some harrowing KFC coupon story to share, please tell it in the comments.
Gawker - KFC Coupon Riot Updates
+ Oprah Grilled Chicken: "You Get a Drumstick! You Get a Drumstick!"
Mel B Pictures
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
In this undated image released by Oxfam Tuesday Sept. 23, 2008, British singer Mel B participates in the 'In My Name' global campaign calling for action against poverty and demanding world leaders keep their promises on millennium development goals. (AP Photo/Oxfam, HO) ** NO SALES **
AP
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl Mel B, left, serves as the emcee at a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. Mel B wears a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. The woman at right is unidentified. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
Getty Images
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Ultimo Scottish designer lingerie brand founder Michelle Mone (L) and pop singer Melanie Brown pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
Getty Images
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and singer Aubrey O'Day (R) poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
Getty Images
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown, Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard, singer Aubrey O'Day and TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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Comments: (757)
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By: somacrew on 5/07/2009 9:15PM
I think its funny that people were there with a free coupon and then carried on when the store ran out. Folks its a freakin FREE piece of chicken not a new house. The store ran out so, I know, destroy the building. Thats a good ides.
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By: bob on 5/07/2009 9:50PM
duhh, it's the principle of the matter. it's not the deal finders (as cheap or poor as they might be) that are on the wrong here. a giant fast-food corporation (with plenty of dispensable capital) makes an offer, and they can't provide with their promise---the business/promotion managers should have foreseen this, and it's only their fault that this anarchy is blowing up in their face. sometimes corporations need to own up to their mistakes. if an automotive company has a slightly defective part of a car or truck, they issue recalls immediately upon discovery, and pay > millions out of their pockets... kfc should be held to the same standards.
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By: Davis on 5/07/2009 10:32PM
Sooooo, how many people don't have a job because of ort economy? A free meal would be nice, maybe you have not been in that boat yet but you keep up your attitude and things have a way of biting you in the Butt!
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By: Amanda on 5/07/2009 10:40PM
Sounds like another angry money hungry Republican.
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By: NancyY on 5/07/2009 10:59PM
I agree with you, James. This is definitely within the understanding of 'gimme'-type people. Sure, it's nice to get a freebie. But, isn't this on KFC's bill and not Oprah's? I don't mind a nice coupon for a meal, but not if it's going to bankrupt a business and put people out of work. I'll make my own sandwich at home instead, thank you.
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By: liz on 5/07/2009 11:17PM
OPRAH paid for the chicken YOU ate idiot!!!!!!!
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By: Bill on 5/07/2009 11:33PM
Actually he has a realistic view of the world. This world was created because people expect to get things for free in life. And because of that they distort the system leading to millions of wasted tax dollars for people who can't support themselves being paid by people that got up off their butts and worked for their money. It's a down economy I understand right now -- but this isn't like this is anything new because of the economy. Live your own life -- you are not owed anything except that which you achieve on your own.
As far as KFC they deserved this -- you never give out something for free without some stipulation. Even if it's free two piece with a purchase on a $1 soda. You are asking for problems and crazy crowds. And putting this on until the 19th? Someone's gonna get hurt by the end of this thing.
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By: NICHOLE MATUS on 5/08/2009 12:08AM
YOUR AN IDOT. IF YOU DON'T WANT IT THEN FINE. IF THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO CAN USE A FREE MEAL FOR THEIR FAMILY THAN WHO ARE YOU TO JUDGE.
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By: Trisha on 5/08/2009 12:17AM
ARE YOU talking about my husbands x and her husband? LOL
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By: Sue on 5/08/2009 12:45AM
Your cruel comment was thoughtless, There is lot of people unemployed,sick,elderly,on fixed income, if they have any income!I'm glad you a blessed with what need,
Have A Great Day, Sue
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