5 Caledonian Road, London N1 9DX, UK. Tel/ Fax: +44 (0)171 713 1269
E-mail: mclibel@globalnet.co.uk
Internet info: www.mcspotlight.org

  • Campaign Statement
  • Expenditure
  • Appeal for donations
  • MSC UK bank details
  • Support
  • Protest Pledge
  • Worldwide contact details
  • Campaigning
  • Merchandise

  • Campaign Statement

    The McLibel Support Campaign ("MSC") was set up shortly after the writs were served on supporters of London Greenpeace in September 1990. It was established to generate solidarity and financial backing for the McLibel Defendants, who are not themselves responsible for Campaign publicity. MSC also continues the anti-McDonald's campaigning begun by London Greenpeace in the 1980's, and is supportive of, but independent from, general, worldwide, grassroots anti-McDonald's activities and protests.

    Like in any campaign or struggle, by organising and coordinating information and publicity, and strengthening networks of resistance, campaigners ensure that the tables are turned on those who try to shut them up. McDonalds aim of suppressing activity has only served to futher anger and strengthen the determination of their critics. This has resulted in ever growing publicity, the dissemination of detailed information about McDonald's business practices, and in a constantly increasing circulation of anti-McDonald's leaflets worldwide (2 million handed out to the public in the UK alone since the writs were served). As thousands of people have pledged to continue to do this whatever the trial verdict, it is clear that the leafletting is unstoppable and that McDonald's have been beaten.

    PHOTO: March Against McDonald's, London 16th October 1994
    © Nick Cobbing

    MSC is calling for an international "Victory Day of Action" on the Saturday after the Judge has delivered his personal 'verdict' (expected in April or May 1997, or possibly later). In the UK, it is hoped that a majority of McDonald's 750 stores will be leafletted on that day. If you live in the UK, please assist in the coordinated leafletting on the day of action by adopting your local store. Contact MSC for an "Adopt-a-Store" form to complete.

    Wide support

    MSC receives donations and support from a wide range of groups and individuals: trade unionists, environmentalists, people concerned about animal welfare/rights, people concerned about diet and nutrition, present and former McDonald's employees, etc. Some people are concerned and knowledgable about all the issues in the case, but one of the great aspects of MSC is the spread of ideas and information that takes place: for example, by coming into contact with the Campaign, some trade unionists learn more about environmental issues and animal welfare, and some animal rights activists learn more about poor working conditions and worker organisation. Linda McCartney gave the Campaign a donation of £1,000 and there are some other well-known people supporting the Campaign, but the vast majority of support and donations comes from ordinary members of the public. The messages of support are a great morale boost for Helen and Dave.


    Expenditure

    Most of the money donated to MSC is spent (or has been spent) on the following:


    Campaigning

    MSC continues campaigning against McDonald's. For example, MSC organised a protest at the opening of a McDonald's store in Kings Cross, London in December 1995, and every year on 16th October (World Day of Action Against McDonald's) along with London Greenpeace organises a demonstration outside McDonald's European Headquarters. MSC provides support and encouragement to other independent campaigns/campaigners against McDonald's and produces summaries of the actions around the world that it hears about, such as "International Round-Up 1994", "40 Years of McGarbage - Anti-Birthday Events", "Seven Days That Shook The Corporation", and "Ten Days That Shook The Corporation".

    PHOTO: McDonald's litter returned by campaigners to the European Headquarters, London
    14th October 1994

    The original London Greenpeace Factsheet was designed to highlight the problems caused by multinationals and the fast food industry as a whole by focussing on McDonald's. The Factsheet says "What is wrong with McDonald's is also wrong with all the junk-food chains like Kentucky Fried Chicken, Wendy's, etc. All of them hide their ruthless exploitation of resources, animals and people behind a facade of colourful gimmicks and 'family fun'." MSC has not lost sight of this critique of multinationals and the exploitative system we live in as a whole. In October 1995, MSC organised an "Anti-Corporations Fayre" open to the public, bringing together groups and individuals campaigning against companies and corporations, to share tactics and experiences in fighting corporations, and to discuss alternatives to them. In November 1995, MSC organised a demonstration jointly with Baby Milk Action (campaigning against Nestle) and supporters of Earth First! at Management Summit '95, a prestigious conference where top executives from Nestle, McDonalds and other companies were speaking on helping companies "dominate existing markets and win in and create tomorrow's markets".


    Merchandise

  • MSC produces a range of merchandise which can be ordered from here.


    Protest Pledge

  • Thousands of people have pledged to continue handing out anti-McDonald's leaflets whatever the verdict in the trial. Add your name to the pledge here.

    Appeal for donations

  • The McLibel Support Campaign (UK) needs donations to fund the Defence and campaigning work.
  • Make cheques payable to
          McLibel Support Campaign and send to ..
  • McLibel Support Campaign
    5 Caledonian Road, London N1 9DX, UK
  • Or send donations direct to the bank account:

    Nationwide Building Society
    25 High Rd, Wood Green, London N22 6BH, UK
  • Account name: McLibel Support Campaign
    Account No: 0242/702 940 907
    Sort Code: 07-00-93
    Identification: 333 333 34
  • Or send donations to the support group in your country.

  • Many messages of support and donations from trade union branches have been sent to the campaign. The MSC has produced a bulletin for circulation throughout the labour movement - if you are a member of a union branch or other labour group please show the bulletin to its members.

    Many thanks to all the people who have sent messages of support and donations to MSC over the years.

    Worldwide contact details

    (See also the 'Countries' section of the McSpotlight Campaigns page)

    Support groups have organised benefit gigs and protests in solidarity with the McLibel Defendants and have distributed information about the trial to the press and public. There are a number of McLibel support groups around the world to whom requests for information and donations (in local currencies) can be sent:

    Internet Email List Server

    McLibel Support Campaign (New Zealand/Aotearoa)
    PO Box 14-156
    Kilbirnie
    Wellington
    New Zealand/Aotearoa

    McLibel Support Campaign ( Canada and USA)
    c/o A-Zone
    1573 Milwaukee, PMB 420
    Chicago, IL 60622 (mailing address only)
    USA
    E-Mail: McYinYang2@hotmail.com
    Ph. (312) 682-2821

    McLibel Support Campaign (Australia)
    PO Box 700
    Brunswick Lower
    Vic. 3056
    Australia
    E-mail: mclibel@xchange.anarki.net

    McCalumnia Apoyo (Spain and Portugal)
    El Lokal
    C/ de la Cera 1 bis
    08001 Barcelona
    Spain

    McLibel Support Campaign (Ireland)
    c/o AFAR
    PO Box 4734
    Dublin 1
    Republic of Ireland

    Campaign Against McDonald's (Scotland)
    PO Box 1008
    Glasgow G42 8AA
    Scotland
    Tel +44-141-226 5066

    McDonald's Boikotten (Norway)
    Grønland 26
    0180 Oslo
    Norway
    Tel +47-22-194449
    Fax +47-67149331
    Bankgiro: 1607 353885