MCLC: Chen Guangbiao sparks fury among NY homeless

[Denton, Kirk]

MCLC LIST
From: kirk (denton.2 at osu.edu)
Subject: Chen Guangbiao sparks fury among NY homeless
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Source: SCMP (6/26/14):
http://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/1540762/new-yorks-homeless-angry-chi
nese-tycoon-chen-guangbiaos-publicity-stunt

Chinese tycoon Chen Guangbiao sparks fury among New York's homeless after
'publicity stunt'
Organiser says the event could have been 'planned better'
By Andrea Chen and Agence France-Presse in New York City

Chinese philanthropist Chen Guangbiao’s New York charity lunch ended
bitterly as hundreds of homeless people, who were promised US$300 in cash,
left empty-handed -- and furious.

The eccentric Chen, who made his fortunes in the recycling business, last
week bought a full-page advert in The New York Times – a paper he once
attempted to buy – promising 1,000 underprivileged residents a swish meal
at the Boathouse in Central Park, along with the cash.

At yesterday’s event, the first batch of beneficiaries – 250 shelter
residents of the New York City Rescue Mission, which helped organise the
luncheon – sat down for a three-course meal as promised.

Guests were bused in and treated to a sit-down meal of seared tuna, filet
mignon and seasonal berries, waited on by staff in suits and bow ties.

Chen serenaded the guests with his signature rendition of We Are the World
and a magic show. Volunteers, dressed up in green military uniforms, sang
a Chinese patriotic song. Then a cart filled with cash was wheeled onstage.

But the giddy atmosphere fell apart when it was announced that the tycoon
would not be handing out the cash, at the behest of the Mission, which was
concerned the money would be used on drugs and alcohol.

After the announcement, several people tried to rush at Chen, who was
shielded by guards, while others shouted insults at him, media reports
said.

Speaking to the South China Morning Post, a member of the event’s
organising team described the scene as “weird and troublesome”.

“Chen could have organised the luncheon in a better way,” the organiser
said, requesting anonymity.

“At least he did not have to bring all those military uniforms – [viewed
as] Halloween costumes [by] the Americans – and asked his volunteers to
put on the uniforms and sing a patriotic song,” she said.

After the Mission intervened, an anxious Chen at first told his guests
there was a change of plan and that he would distribute the US$300 at the
shelter after the lunch.

Chen announced through a translator that he was heading to the New York
City Rescue Mission -- which helped organise the lunch -- and invited
guests to join him there.

Several homeless people were asked to pose with Chen in front of the cart
of cash while holding dollar bills.

“He took photos with some of the guests holding US$300 on the stage,” the
organiser told the Post. But at the end of the event, none of the guests
received any donation in cash.”

“Don’t lie to the people!” Ernest St Pierre told AFP. “We came here for
$300 but now he’s changed his tune.”

“This individual who’s filthy rich put it in the paper,” St Pierre, a
former US Navy medic, told reporters.

Retired Vietnam War veteran Harry Brooks told reporters he would be
“highly upset” if he didn’t get the cash, despite enjoying the food “very
much.”

“I could use $300,” he said. “Clothing for one thing,” he said gesturing
at his shabby attire when asked how he would spend it.

Not all guests were unhappy. Many said they enjoyed the food and called
the experience “beautiful,” saying they were touched that someone had
flown all the way from China wanting to help.

But as they were herded outside to queue up to get the bus back,
complaints multiplied.

Quin Shabazz, 34, said he felt the homeless had been exploited and branded
the lunch -- covered by a mob of TV cameras and reporters -- “a big
publicity stunt.”

Al Johnson, 42, said he had been banking on the money to get his life
together and go home to his family in Texas.

“This was going to change my life,” he said. “Fraud. This is fraud with a
capital F,” he added. “I feel used for a photo op.”

Craig Mayes, executive director of the New York City Rescue Mission, was
left to deny there had been any injustice.

“I’m really sorry. It was misrepresented in the paper,” he said.

Michelle Tolson, director of public relations at the Mission, said Tuesday
that no cash would be handed out to individuals and that it had taken 1.5
months of negotiations to convince Chen to instead donate $90,000 to the
group.

The money would be ploughed straight into the Mission’s $5 million yearly
expenses to feed and house people, she said.

The shelter provides people with a hot meal, a clean shower and a safe
bed, clothing and assistance in addressing their problems.

Chen, known for publicity stunts and reportedly worth an estimated $825
million, serenaded his guests with a rendition of the 1985 charity single
“We Are the World.”

The smiling, bespectacled businessman said he wanted to give back after
wealthy Americans had contributed to relief efforts after disasters in
China.

“Hopefully, I will really lead the way to encourage other people who are
in a position to help to follow through,” he said.

However, the rocky start to his philanthropy campaign in New York has not
dented Chen’s confidence, saying he planned to hold more charity luncheons
and keep his promise of treating 1,000 homeless people to fine meals.
“My homeless friends, please trust me, and trust the Mission,” Chen had
said before leaving the restaurant, according to The New York Times.

Chen grabbed headlines in the US months ago for his effort to buy the
Times and hosting a news junket where he distributed business cards
proclaiming he was the “most influential Chinese”.

He is listed at number 227 on Forbes’ list of the 400 richest Chinese,
with an estimated wealth of US$825 million.

Coalition for the Homeless says around 60,000 homeless men, women and
children bed down in New York’s shelters and thousands more who sleep
rough on the streets or elsewhere.

The number of homeless New Yorkers has risen by 75 percent since 2002 and
in recent years has reached the highest levels since the Great Depression
of the 1930s, according to the advocacy group.