Chinese Americans demand formal apology from ABC  

美多地华人游行抗议ABC节目“杀光中国人”言论

More than 100 Chinese Americans staged a protest on Monday against US television network American Broadcasting Co (ABC). [Photo: China News Service/Chen Gang]

San Francisco (CNS) -- More than 100 Chinese Americans staged a protest on Monday against US television network American Broadcasting Co (ABC) for airing a segment of the show "Jimmy Kimmel Live" in which a child suggested "killing everyone in China" to avoid America repaying its foreign debt.

Some Chinese communities gathered Monday at Justin Herman Plaza, carrying signs, saying, "Kids and killing don't equal joke," "Against racial hatred," and "Boycott ABC." After marching through several streets, protesters stopped in front of the ABC building and delivered speeches and demanded a formal apology.

Many protesters from Silicon Valley drove more than one hour to be there. Liu Huaizhu, founder of Newnex Technology and head of the association of overseas Guizhounese, told China News Service that it is not only a matter related to an ethnic group, it is against the social values of the United States, even against humanity.

Zhou Xiaobin, chairman of Asian Americans for Political Advancement, said ABC broadcast the program without cutting the hateful statement, which upset Chinese communities.

Chinese Americans in other US cities, including Los Angeles, New York and Chicago, also staged protests against ABC.

Lisa Berger, ABC Entertainment's executive vice president who oversees the Jimmy Kimmel Live show, and Tim McNeal, vice president of ABC's talent development and diversity branch, wrote an apology letter to the 80-20 National Asian American PAC on Friday.

The incident also sparked a petition on We the People, a White House website that promises to address an issue if 100,000 people sign a petition within 30 days. The petition, created on Oct. 19 and with more than 64,000 signatures to date, calls for the US government to "immediately cut" Kimmel's show and ask ABC to issue a formal apology.

More Photos: Protesters take to street in protest of 'Kill everyone in China' comment