Thousands in Hollywood protest CNN commentator’s remarks

Thousands of Chinese Americans protested outside CNN’s offices in Hollywood this morning, calling for the dismissal of commentator Jack Cafferty, whose recent remarks about Chinese goods and the Beijing government inflamed a community already angry about international condemnations directed at the host country of the upcoming Olympics.

The protesters lined Sunset Boulevard from Cahuenga Boulevard to Wilcox Avenue chanting “Cafferty, Fire,” and singing patriotic Chinese songs.

“We understand free speech,” said Lake Wang, 39, of Thousand Oaks. “But what if Cafferty said this about other racial groups? I think he would be fired. I think he’s jealous of China.”

The anger mirrors the growing sense of nationalism that is taking hold around the world as the Olympics come to China. Much of that anger has been directed at foreign media, which some accuse of painting an unfairly negative image of China.

On the April 9 airing of “The Situation Room,” Cafferty, in a discussion about China, said that goods from that county were “junk,” and referred to the Chinese as “a bunch of goons and thugs.”

CNN later said Cafferty’s comments were directed at the Beijing government.

“In this occasion Jack was offering his strongly held opinion of the Chinese government, not the Chinese people,” a CNN spokesman said in a statement. “It should be noted that over many years, Jack Cafferty has expressed critical comments on many governments, including the U.S. government and its leaders.”

David.pierson

@latimes.com