THE 'McLIBEL 2' (Helen Steel and Dave Morris) VISIT THE USA
OCTOBER 3rd - 13th
The ‘McLibel 2’ were the 2 defendants in the recently ended and
controversial McLibel case, the longest trial in english history, brought by
the McDonald’s Corporation in a futile effort to suppress campaigners’
rights to distribute flyers critical of the fast-food giant’s business
practices (promoting an unhealthy diet, lack of workers’ rights, unethical
advertising techniques, damage to the environment caused by packaging and
cattle ranching, and animal cruelty). It has been described as the UK ‘trial
of the century’ and ‘the worst corporate PR disaster in history’.
They have been invited to the US to get publicity for the victorious outcome
of the McLibel case and campaign; to launch and publicise the updated US
edition of the book 'McLibel:Burger Culture On Trial' (pub. New Press [NY]);
to launch and publicise the Global Week Of Action Against McDonald's
(October 11 - 18th); and to network with US activists and campaigners.
The trip is at the behest of/organised by, the US McLibel Support Campaign,
New Press [NY] , the CCHW Centre For Health, Environment & Justice, and the
NY Wetlands Environmental and Social Justice Centre.
PLEASE PUBLICISE AND JOIN IN THE FOLLOWING EVENTS:
WASHINGTON
FRIDAY 3rd - SUNDAY 5th
CCHW National Convention of community activists: 'Winning Justice Step By
Step'. Dave Morris joins 400 delegates.
NEW YORK
TUESDAY 7th - THURSDAY 9th
TUESDAY: McLibel Public Meeting [7-9pm] addressed by the McLibel 2, at
the Wetlands Environmental & Social Justice Centre, 161 Hudson St (3 blocks
S. of Canal St) Manhattan
WEDNESDAY: Launch of the updated US edition of McLibel book - available
all day for a range of media interviews (organised by The New Press).
McLibel 2 invited to address (if time) Animal Rights International/Peter
Singer Meeting, FUS, 160 Central Park West (76th St) 7-9pm.
THURSDAY: Activists' meeting at the Environmental & Social Justice Centre
[10am] - at 161 Hudson St. Preview (at 10.30am) the new UK documentary
‘McLibel: Two World’s Collide’. Leaflet/picket with the McLibel 2 the Wall
St McDonald's store [1pm] - (160 Broadway, 2 blocks S. of Wall St on
Liberty & Maiden).
CHICAGO
FRIDAY 10th - SUNDAY 12th
FRIDAY: McLibel Public Meeting & World Premiere of UK Documentary:
‘McLibel: Two Worlds Collide’ [7-10pm] - at Electrical Workers Union Hall,
37 Ashland Ave [S. of Madison].
SATURDAY: The McLibel 2 launch Global Week Of Action at McDonald's
Corporate HQ (Oakbrook) [Noon]. Leaflet/picket of McDonald's ‘Rock and
Roll’ store [2pm] downtown.
SUNDAY: Leaflet/picket of McDonald's Wabash store [Noon], (115 N. Wabash)
in the 20th anniversary year of the majority of workers there signing up to
the Hotel Workers Union. In solidarity with company workers, to celebrate
past and present unionisation drives, and to commemorate the death by
electrocution at work of UK McDonald's worker Mark Hopkins on 12th October
1992, now an annual International Day of Solidarity With McDonald’s Workers.
Helen and Dave want it to be known that they do not regard themselves as
'special' or 'more important' than any other activists, or indeed anyone
else. But they are aware of the fact that as Defendants in the McLibel trial
they are able to attract greater publicity for the ideas and hard work done
by people campaigning around the issues relevant to the case. Please also
note that ALL the issues (and the movements which have grown up around them)
are of importance - labour struggles, healthy eating, the unethical
targetting of children, environmental damage, animal rights, opposing SLAPP
suits, fighting multinationals etc. We hope this trip will be
self-financing - it has cost about $3,500. Donations will be greatly
appreciated.
McLibel Support Campaign
[US] 802 586 9628 or dbriars@world.std.com
[UK] 00 44 171 713 1269 or mclibel@globalnet.co.uk
For much more info about the case and campaign check out the legendary McSpotlight internet site, www.mcspotlight.org.