Some Halloween decorations that were posted at a Massachusetts McDonald’s have garnered national outrage after a scene showed a person hanging from a tree in a noose. Not cool, McDonald’s.
Erik Pocock noticed it at the North Andover, Massachusetts McDonald’s.
He later appeared on the “Today” show to talk about the image, which was posted online by WCVB, who tweeted: “Customers we spoke with tonight are split about whether the image is offensive.”
It seems pretty offensive to us.
Pocock explained: “It said ‘Happy Halloween.’ It had some spiderwebs and some spiders and, like, a haunted tree and I was like: ‘Oh, that’s cute.’ Then, you look closer and that’s not cute. That’s not right.”
“More like a lynching, but you could have taken it either way,” he added.
No, it can only be taken one way.
Pocock told “Today” he was “completely shocked,” along with his friends, to see the image.
“My friends and I were completely shocked that a large establishment like McDonald’s would put decorations like these up for all to see. It’s disgusting, insensitive and I can’t believe someone thought this was a good idea.”
The response on social media was brutal, with many noting the obvious history of lynchings in the U.S.
“We lack knowledge of our history, how things happened and why? We don’t care to understand and the mistakes will repeat themselves, as it happens in this decorations. Not understanding or not wanting to understand both lead us to disaster,” wrote @LongusLuz.
“This is definitely absolutely offensive! What is wrong with people!” said another.
We lack knowledge of our history, how things happened and why? We don't care to understand and the mistakes will repeat themselves, as it happens in this decorations. Not understanding or not wanting to undertand both lead us to disaster 😢
— Luz Barreto-Longus (@LongusLuz) October 30, 2019
Chuck Lietz, who is the owner and operator of the North Andover McDonald’s, later had the decorations taken down and issued an apology.
Here’s what Lietz said in the statement:
“We deeply regret that these decorations were on display, and as soon as we identified the inappropriate content, we immediately removed the decorations display.”
“Creating an environment that is welcoming and inclusive to all our guests and employees is critically important to us, and we apologize for any unintended offense they may have had on our community.”
