[968] in Vegetarian_Support_Group
(vsg) McLibel Trial anniversary, update (longish)
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Matthew Krom)
Wed Jul 3 08:50:02 1996
To: vsg@MIT.EDU
From: krom@media.mit.edu (Matthew Krom)
Date: Wed, 03 Jul 96 08:48:16 EDT
This is a good newsy item for those of you keeping tabs on the McLibel
trial in the UK. Much, much more is available on
http://www.mcspotlight.org
See you,
Matt
[vsg list requests: vsg-request@mit.edu]
[vsg on the web: http://www.mit.edu:8001/activities/vsg/ ]
______________
STATEMENT BY THE McLIBEL DEFENDANTS
Second Anniversary of the Trial
10am, 28th June 1996 - High Court, London
The McLibel Trial, now at Day 270, is the longest running civil case in
British history and is scheduled to last until the end of this year. The
previous longest civil case was 198 days and the longest libel trial was 101
days. The reason it is taking so long is because McDonald's is trying to
suppress a wide range of common sense views on matters of great public
interest (as expressed by London Greenpeace) which we naturally have an
obligation to defend.
The issues being aired daily in Court 35 are the links between diet and
ill-health, the exploitation of low-paid non-unionised workers, the
environmental damage caused by mountains of disposable packaging and by
cattle ranching, the effects of advertising on children and the suffering of
animals reared for the food industry. Effectively the tables have been
turned and it's McDonald's and their business practices that are on trial.
McDonald's Dirty Tricks - In the past two weeks, four private detectives
hired by McDonald's to infiltrate London Greenpeace have testified. The
company has now admitted that it controversially engaged no less than seven
spies, who got fully involved in the group, stole letters, secretly followed
people home, and broke into the group's offices - a disgusting and sinister
abuse of the friendly and open nature of the group. And what's more, they
distributed the very leaflets that McDonald's are trying to suppress, so we
have now formally claimed that McDonald's thereby consented to the leaflet's
publication. Today another of the 'enquiry agents' who "felt very
uncomfortable" infiltrating London Greenpeace and who "did not think there
was anything wrong with what the group was doing" will be testifying for the
Defence.
McDonald's Plans Backfire - Despite spending $1.8 billion dollars worldwide
annually on advertising and promotions, McDonald's has consistently sought
to silence those wishing to put over an alternative point of view. However,
McDonald's efforts to intimidate and silence its critics have completely
backfired, and have only angered the public and strengthened the
determination of campaigners here and all over the world. Over 1=BD million
"What's Wrong With McDonald's" leaflets have been handed out to the public
in the UK alone since the writs were first served on us and thousands of
people have pledged to continue to circulate anti-McDonald's leaflets
whatever the verdict at the end of the McLibel Trial. Leaflets have been
translated into 24 different languages and are being distributed worldwide.
On top of this there is now an internet website, 'McSpotlight', where
comprehensive information about the trial and McDonald's can be accessed
worldwide at the push of a button.
It is clear that the campaign and the distribution of anti-McDonald's
leaflets are unstoppable, and the trial has only served to give them greater
impetus and publicity.
McDonald's original official estimate was that the trial would last "3 to 4
weeks". But despite all the odds being stacked against us - for example: no
Legal Aid, facing complex and unfair libel laws and being denied a jury
trial - we have learned as we've gone along. McDonald's have brought their
big guns into the witness box - over a dozen executives from Chicago and the
UK, up to the level of President. They have been forced to make many
admissions about McDonald's practices, and a great deal of previously secret
information has been unearthed. This has provided a unique and vital insight
into how multinational corporations - who dominate the world's economy -
achieve and maintain their power.
This, along with the overwhelming public support and donations we've
received, has given us the encouragement and strength to continue this
"David vs Goliath" battle. We thank everyone who's expressed their concern
and support.
McDonald's View of the Case - a confidential internal memo from McDonald's
in Australia (leaked to the media and broadcast widely last year) revealed
the Corporation's dilemma around the world with media coverage of the trial:
"Contain it as a UK issue". "We could worsen the controversy by adding our
opinion". "We want to keep it at arms length - not become guilty by
association". "This will not be a positive story for McDonald's Australia".
The aim is to "minimise any further negative publicity".
Settlement Negotiations - McDonald's at their own initiative have twice
arranged negotiations with us in order to pursue ways of ending the case.
Members of their US Board of Directors have flown into London at 24 hours
notice to meet with us. Our position remains that they should give an
undertaking not to sue anyone again over similar statements to those made by
London Greenpeace.
We would not like to see a repetition of such a case again - it's the
public's right to criticise the practices of multinational corporations who
dominate our lives, the world's economy and the environment. We call for the
abolition of the right of multinational corporations to be able to sue for
libel. Our aim is a society based on sharing and cooperation, where people,
animals and the environment are not seen as the means for a minority to make
their profits.
Helen Steel (30) & Dave Morris (42)
The McLibel 2
------- End of Forwarded Message
