Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is catching flack for his blossoming friendship with New Jersey's Republican Gov. Chris Christie from abortion-rights activists, who staged a protest in front of Zuckerberg's Palo Alto home Wednesday evening.
The event was held to rebuke Palo Alto's young billionaire for his decision to host a fundraiser for Christie, a rising star in the Republican party who has been making national waves for his aggressive stances toward public-sector unions and for his vetoes of Democratic bills to support family planning (he had vetoed a similar bill in 2010).
The protest, organized by progressive group CREDO, singled out Christie for his recent veto of a bill that would have restored $7.5 million to New Jersey's Planned Parenthood clinics. CREDO also launched a petition calling for Zuckerberg to "Unfriend the anti-woman Republican Governor Chris Christie and match the money raised at your Palo Alto fundraiser dollar-for-dollar with a contribution for Planned Parenthood."
"Over 58 percent of Facebook users are women, and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg wants to use the billions he's made off them to fund the national political career of a guy who defunded Planned Parenthood and shut down six women's health clinics in his state?" CREDO's Political Director, Becky Bond asked in a prepared statement. "Zuckerberg should unfriend Chris Christie and stop funding the Republican war on women."
Zuckerberg's endorsement and the protest it incited further underscores Christie's swelling national profile and complex network of foes and allies. The famously gregarious and unapologetic politician was elected governor in 2009 and has made many friends and enemies by battling public-sector unions, vetoing pro-choice legislation and instituting performance bonuses for New Jersey teachers. He also drew scorn from some in his own party for praising President Barack Obama's response to Hurricane Sandy just days before the November 2012 election -- praise that some pointed to as one of the factors that helped Obama win re-election.
Zuckerberg's endorsement of Christie isn't his first venture into raising money for New Jersey causes. The Facebook founder had also donated $100 million to Newark, N.J., schools in 2010.
Comments
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Feb 14, 2013 at 10:42 am
on Feb 14, 2013 at 10:42 am
Once again, Mark Zuckerberg is allowed to support any politician he chooses. He is also allowed to invite anyone he chooses to his home.
Protestors are also allowed to protest, but I doubt if anyone at the Zuckerberg party paid any attention to them. The only ones that did were the media. Therefore the protestors got the attention they wanted and they gave additional attention to the partygoers also.
Once again, if the media didn't mention it, who would have cared about any of this?
Media making news, to help sell their advertising.
Crescent Park
on Feb 14, 2013 at 10:49 am
on Feb 14, 2013 at 10:49 am
I am sure that Zuckerberg pays attention to these protests. His whole company is based on publicity and advertising. Bad publicity is bad for business. Protests like this do make a difference.
College Terrace
on Feb 14, 2013 at 10:56 am
on Feb 14, 2013 at 10:56 am
Were the signs made of recycled materials? Did everyone take public transit to the protest? How did the gathering ensure that their protest didn't constitute noise pollution? I'm very concerned.
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Feb 14, 2013 at 11:03 am
on Feb 14, 2013 at 11:03 am
>>> " . . . Christie's swelling national profile. . . " <<<
And you thought I wouldn't notice.
Duveneck/St. Francis
on Feb 14, 2013 at 11:03 am
on Feb 14, 2013 at 11:03 am
I think this protest should have been held in front of Facebook HQ in Menlo Park, and certainly not at Mark's house. For protesters to gather on your front doorstep, scaring and harassing your spouse and kids is beyond the pale.
Public media used to show self restraint and not publicize these types of gatherings outside of people's residences, which limited them, mainly because publicity is the oxygen that feeds these misguided people.
I'm sure all of us can find something to disagree with anyone, but to gather a mob and bring them to your front doorstep is awful harassment and should be treated as such.
If I had a billion bucks, and people harassed my family and house because of how I voted or who I supported politically, I would ensure that every one there would be repaid in kind, via the Golden Rule.
Crescent Park
on Feb 14, 2013 at 11:05 am
on Feb 14, 2013 at 11:05 am
How does Zuckerberg make his money? The fastest growing app on Facebook right now is "Bang With Friends". News report: Web Link
Zuckerberg also tried to get into the sexting business with his "Facebook Poke" app.
Does a family values candidate like Christie know who he is in bed with?
Crescent Park
on Feb 14, 2013 at 11:06 am
on Feb 14, 2013 at 11:06 am
@Disgusted - Christie was at Zuckerberg's house, not at Facebook HQ. If Zuckerberg didn't want to bring politics to his neighborhood, he could have hosted the fundraiser at his office, but he chose not to do that.
Old Palo Alto
on Feb 14, 2013 at 11:12 am
on Feb 14, 2013 at 11:12 am
Whatever happened to our right to choose. He can support whom he wants where he wants. How is it that there were no protests at Steve Jobs' house all the many times that Clinton was hosted there?
Palo Verde
on Feb 14, 2013 at 11:26 am
on Feb 14, 2013 at 11:26 am
If you look at the other items listed in the On-Line today there is a story on bullying. At what point do these groups cross the line and indulge in bully behaviour. These groups cannot have it both ways. Going to someone's house to disrupt a private event is just bully tactics.
Old Palo Alto
on Feb 14, 2013 at 11:27 am
on Feb 14, 2013 at 11:27 am
I'm sick of protesters (and media) bringing their issues to the private homes of people. I drove past his house last night t 8:pm, all I saw was media, no protesters. The political climate in this area is one that, if you don't think the same way as the masses think, then you are somehow flawed and mostly likely stupid. Or, and I love this one, "misguided." This happens especially in the Bay Area. People seem to forget, IT'S ZUCKERBERG'S RIGHT AS AN AMERICAN TO SUPPORT WHOMEVER THE HELL HE PLEASES. I applaud him for not being tunnel-visioned when it comes to one party or the other. If everyone sticks with one party or the other, nothing will ever change. I didn't see all this whining (locally) when he entertained Obama. Or when Clinton was at Job's house. Grow up and understand our rights as Americans. Then, temper those rights with a bit of empathy, how would YOU like a bunch of people screaming outside YOUR and your neighbors homes? Hypocrisy and entitlement is alive and well in Palo Alto.
Barron Park
on Feb 14, 2013 at 11:46 am
on Feb 14, 2013 at 11:46 am
He can have anyone he wants as his friends and support anyone he chooses to. [Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
Crescent Park
on Feb 14, 2013 at 11:48 am
on Feb 14, 2013 at 11:48 am
They were protesting Chritie's stomping on women's rights. Christie is the bully, not the women.
Portola Valley
on Feb 14, 2013 at 11:59 am
on Feb 14, 2013 at 11:59 am
Zuckerberg can support whoever he wants to and befriend whoever he wants to.
As long as he uses his own money to support Christie and not Facebook Company's money then it is his own right to do so. Because it is his views and not Facebook's view.
I am pro-life and not a Facebook user and based things on logic not emotion.
Barron Park
on Feb 14, 2013 at 12:10 pm
on Feb 14, 2013 at 12:10 pm
Hate the mindless media circus and bullying tactics here.
Midtown
on Feb 14, 2013 at 12:17 pm
on Feb 14, 2013 at 12:17 pm
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
another community
on Feb 14, 2013 at 12:18 pm
on Feb 14, 2013 at 12:18 pm
I live in New Jersey--kudos to Mark for recognizing a man who puts the good of others before his own! We need more Chris Cristies in this country! He just needs to go on a diet!
Midtown
on Feb 14, 2013 at 12:20 pm
on Feb 14, 2013 at 12:20 pm
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
Old Palo Alto
on Feb 14, 2013 at 12:34 pm
on Feb 14, 2013 at 12:34 pm
PS....at least a few years ago, Al Gore regularly came to town in a Lincoln Town Car...a real gas guzzler. And, when he had a meeting at NOLA, lunchtime on a Monday, he and his party made demands such as the volume of the music and other requests that affected ALL the diners, not just Gore and his handlers. Also, my daughter was out on the sidewalk already, by Old Pro on her cell phone, and when he went outside to use his phone, he gave her a glare that I suppose, had she been raised differently, would have sent her scurrying off the sidewalk and back into Old Pro. Instead, she turned her back, called me and loudly complained that SOME people don't understand that it's a free sidewalk, ANYONE can stand on it. Made his protection guy laugh. Bit of a hypocritical Prima donna, that one.
Old Palo Alto
on Feb 14, 2013 at 12:42 pm
on Feb 14, 2013 at 12:42 pm
[Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
My daughter works at Nola--she said the Gore party was very nice. they were polite and left a very generous tip. [Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
East Palo Alto
on Feb 14, 2013 at 12:47 pm
on Feb 14, 2013 at 12:47 pm
[Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
This protest was good news, as was the other Crescent Park protest a few months ago. It means that people aren't asleep & they're walking their talk. This is what happens in a democracy - we don't have to like or approve, but we have to acknowledge it's legal - & that's more important than people pretending to be shocked at the unseemliness of it all.
Midtown
on Feb 14, 2013 at 12:50 pm
on Feb 14, 2013 at 12:50 pm
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
Barron Park
on Feb 14, 2013 at 1:03 pm
on Feb 14, 2013 at 1:03 pm
Just came out of our school anti-bully powwow. Some of us should allow others be different.
Those who are in pic demonstrated the bullying behavior. No wonder their offspring behave the same in our school. Disgusting!
Crescent Park
on Feb 14, 2013 at 1:26 pm
on Feb 14, 2013 at 1:26 pm
To me, there should be some common sense limits on the ability to protest at or just outside the residence of someone with whom you disagree.
We all need the ability to speak out. But, to do so at or just outside the house of another is, in my opinion, ill-advised and a tad scary.
I strongly support Mr. Zuckerberg's right to support whomever he chooses.
Adobe-Meadow
on Feb 14, 2013 at 1:42 pm
on Feb 14, 2013 at 1:42 pm
Free speech is a constitutional right.
Why are people on this forum wasting time debating against free speech when they don't like the ideas expressed? Some Americans, those who do that!
Barron Park
on Feb 14, 2013 at 2:01 pm
on Feb 14, 2013 at 2:01 pm
Abusing the spirit of free speech is ok per those demonstrators. Bullying is allowed too.
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Feb 14, 2013 at 2:02 pm
on Feb 14, 2013 at 2:02 pm
Zuck can host Christie and people can protest. So what's the big deal? It would be bigger deal if neither side could show their political leanings.
Evergreen Park
on Feb 14, 2013 at 2:13 pm
on Feb 14, 2013 at 2:13 pm
I am "right to choose". But how would I and my neighbors like it if protesters who are against abortion decided that since they did not agree with my stance on abortion, come to my home and protest. Mark Z has EVERY right to have his opinion, and every right to live his life in his own home as he likes.
Green Acres
on Feb 14, 2013 at 2:26 pm
on Feb 14, 2013 at 2:26 pm
Surely no one, including Mark Zuckerberg, wants to put women in the position of back alley abortions.
Mr. Christie should be mindful of the life women had in the 1950s where women died trying to get control over their bodies.
We need sensitive governmental policies, not blindness to the needs of others.
Leland Manor/Garland Drive
on Feb 14, 2013 at 2:49 pm
on Feb 14, 2013 at 2:49 pm
One of my older neighbors is a Raging Granny. They had some pretty humorous chants for Zuck, as did some feminist groups. My favorite was "What the f---, Zuck!"
The local, regional, and national papers all have pretty good coverage of the whole night, including Christy entering thru the back door.
When one is a public figure, as Zuck is, one has to be more resposible in their politics, which apparently, he is not. He certainly has not been very responsible with his lower employees' IPO payouts, so I suppose it stands to reason. One newspaper reported that these are his wife's politics! Maybe so, but he obviously made them his.
Duveneck/St. Francis
on Feb 14, 2013 at 2:53 pm
on Feb 14, 2013 at 2:53 pm
You know this isn't about people having the right to protest. This is about people coming up to your front door and harassing you and bullying you because you are pro-life or pro-choice. It's personal. Its about tone, and nastiness and decency. And a hunger for free publicity.
As I said before, we can all find something to disagree with each other on, but don't attack me, or my family or come to my house uninvited to do so. Feel free to attack my cause, my ideas on their own merits but the media needs to put this type of harassment on "ignore" [portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
The way to get coverage of these types of events to stop, is to treat the editors and reporters and media owners that covered this event the same way, by having "disrespectful media" protests in front of their homes at dinner time. A billionaire can afford to do this. Let's have Pro Life demonstrators show up at the offices and homes of "Raging Grannies" members and treat them with a dose of the same medicine and see how they like that. [Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
another community
on Feb 14, 2013 at 3:49 pm
on Feb 14, 2013 at 3:49 pm
I think that those accusing the protesters of "bullying" are themselves guilty of bullying.
College Terrace
on Feb 14, 2013 at 4:06 pm
on Feb 14, 2013 at 4:06 pm
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
Midtown
on Feb 14, 2013 at 4:28 pm
on Feb 14, 2013 at 4:28 pm
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Feb 14, 2013 at 4:52 pm
on Feb 14, 2013 at 4:52 pm
Hey it's inevitable. Like the sunrise. These east coast transplants who attract us with all their wealth will eventually repulse us by their shallow minds. Go back to your brethren eastern lad. We are a bit more civilized than that out here. That's all for now sugar boy.