Subject: Autumn 1995 Supporters Letter, Coming Events
Date: Sept 24, 1995
From: McLibel Support Campaign, London
McLibel Support Campaign
c/o 5 Caledonian Road
London N1 9DX UK
Tel/Fax +44-171 713 1269
Dear Friends,
The McLibel Trial began 15 months ago on June 28th 1994 and it's
estimated to continue into Spring 1996. It is already the longest
libel trial in British history and in December is likely to become
the longest civil case ever. It's proving to be a detailed,
controversial case, and a highly embarrassing experience for
McDonald's.
PUTTING THE CORPORATION ON TRIAL - So far the spotlight has been
on the effects of the junk food giant's packaging and advertising,
diet and ill-health, animal welfare, and food poisoning. Helen
and Dave have questioned 60 witnesses, 42 for McDonald's
(including 15 executives/dept heads) and 18 for the Defence
(mainly experts). Only 100 more witnesses to go! McDonald's
witnesses have tended to be evasive but many have made admissions
or ludicrous statements under questioning. The Defence case seems
to be going well, although we have no illusions about a verdict
based on a juryless trial and the UK libel laws. The present
issues are the pay and conditions of McDonald's workers and the
company's attitude to trade unions. Helen and Dave are just about
to call up to 30 ex-employees as well as trade union officials and
activists from around the world. The Corporation's US & UK
personnel chiefs have already been grilled.
Still to Come - rest of McDonald's employment witnesses; Defence
employment witnesses; cattle ranching and the environment;
witnesses on publication of the leaflet (includes 4 McDonald's
infiltrators); Helen & Dave; other outstanding witnesses; closing
speeches by both sides; Judge retires to consider verdict;
detailed Judgment.
McDONALD'S TO PULL OUT? - At the time of the first anniversary of
the trial, it was widely reported that McDonald's had initiated
secret settlement negotiations with Helen & Dave. They twice flew
members of their US Board of Directors to London to meet with the
Defendants to seek ways of ending the case. McDonald's are
clearly very worried about the way the case is going for them and
the bad publicity they are receiving. Helen & Dave made their
pre-conditions for settling clear: McDonald's should undertake not
to sue anyone for making similar criticisms again, apologise to
those they have sued in the past, and pay a substantial sum to a
third party in lieu of the Defendants' costs.
WORLDWIDE PUBLICITY - This is an exhausting legal battle for Helen
and Dave, but it's an excellent opportunity to step up the
pressure and publicity against McDonald's at a time when the
public are interested and concerned about the issues in the case.
The case is receiving publicity worldwide - for example, major
articles, features, and interviews have recently appeared in the
national media in Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland,
France, South Africa, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Japan,
Trinidad, Russia, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Thailand,
and Israel. An Australian TV documentary on the case was
syndicated to up to 60 countries - it featured a confidential
internal memo, leaked to the documentary makers, in which
McDonald's Australia revealed the Corporation's problem 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".
SUPPORT SPREADS - A wide range of organisations and groups -
green, civil liberties, trades union, socialist, anarchist, animal
rights etc. - have agreed to back the campaign. But we mustn't
underestimate the power of McDonald's to swamp the country with
advertising and propaganda during and after the trial. For this
reason, it's essential TO CONTINUE TO CIRCULATE AND DISTRIBUTE THE
"What's Wrong With McDonald's" LEAFLETS WHATEVER THE VERDICT AT
THE END OF THE TRIAL (15 pounds per 1,000 from tel 0115 9585666).
Over a million have been handed out in the UK since the writs were
served. You can help by getting it into group mailouts,
conferences, marches and meetings - as well as direct to the
public on the streets. Every word in the available
anti-McDonald's leaflet is true.
DEFYING CORPORATE CENSORSHIP - As always, local protests continue.
On 15th April 1995, McDonald's 40th Anniversary, there were
anti-birthday protests in over 20 countries - about 100 stores
were picketted in the UK, and Helen & Dave were flown over by US
supporters to take part in a demo outside the world's first
McDonald's store near Chicago. In June, protesters disrupted the
making of the burger giant's latest advert at a London park at an
estimated cost of 100,000 pounds- Ronald McDonald was nonplussed
and was photographed in front of a banner reading "McDonald's -
guilty of exploiting workers, destroying the environment,
murdering animals". The 11th Worldwide Anti-McDonald's Day is
coming up (October 16th) - please picket your local store.
Also please get involved with the 3 initiatives below (the first
two are independent of the MSC): Support Network for McDonald's
Workers - a network providing advice and encouraging solidarity
among their workers - c/o 56 Clarence Road, London E5 (Tel. 0181
533 7111). Kids Against Big Mac - all kids everywhere are
encouraged to set up their own local KABM groups - PO Box 287,
London NW6 5QU. Operation 'Send-It-Back' - to collect and send
back company litter to their HQ or in protests at local stores -
c/o 180 Mansfield Rd, Nottingham NG1 3HW (Tel. 0115 9585666).
We must not tolerate the truth being silenced by censorship or
legal thuggery. In the face of mass defiance, McDonald's will be
helpless and their efforts will have totally backfired! Other
corporations will then get the message not to follow in their
footsteps, and it will be a victory for all movements for
justice.
Best wishes from all of us. In solidarity,
McLibel Support Campaign
TRANSCRIPTS SCANDAL
An official transcript is being made daily of the evidence given
publicly in the witness box. This public record is essential for
legal preparations and also to ensure media access to the most
significant evidence given. McDonald's promised to provide
photocopies of their paid-for transcripts to the Defendants and
the Judge throughout the trial. (The Defendants would otherwise
have had to pay the full commercial cost of over 350 pounds per
day to the transcript company).
But, following worldwide publicity about the case marking the
trial's first anniversary, including details of McDonald's
initiating 'settlement' meetings between members of their US Board
of Directors and the McLibel Defendants, the fast food giant
retaliated by breaking their promise and withholding the
Defendants' transcripts copies. During legal arguments, the Judge
stated he also would forego his copy as he would feel
'uncomfortable' having any facility which was unavailable to the
Defendants. It is significant that this action comes just before
the Defendants' employment witnesses are due to 'reveal all' in
the stand. In fact, McDonald's demanded a 'undertaking' by the
Defendants not to disseminate any transcript extracts "to
journalists and the McLibel Support Campaign, and similar
like-minded [people]".
This denial of transcripts will sabotage Defence preparations for
the rest of the case and make a fair trial virtually impossible.
The attempt to gag them and the media is outrageous and
unacceptable censorship. Leave to Appeal on this was refused so
the only alternative is to buy the vital transcripts.
APPEAL APPEAL APPEAL
We are calling for public donations to raise up to 35,000 pounds
to pay for the remaining daily trial transcripts. The public have
a right to know what is going on in this historic case - with the
public's help and generosity, McDonald's will not be able to bury
the evidence forever in their lawyers' vaults. (Cheques to
'McLibel Support Campaign').
Also, Helen & Dave need funds to pay the fares of their witnesses
(many from abroad), admin costs etc. We ask for collections,
standing orders, sponsor-a-witness, affiliations, benefits,
donations etc. Thanks!
COMING EVENTS
Sept 25th Picket outside High Court, Strand, London WC2 (9.30am -
11.30am) - nearest tubes Temple & Holborn.
Oct 12th Day of Solidarity With McDonald's Workers - leaflet your
local store.
London - picket of McDonald's on Strand (next to Charing Cross
BR/tube), 5-6pm.
Manchester - picket of McDonald's store in Arndale Centre,
12-1pm.
Leaflets from SNMW, 56 Clarence Road, London E5, Tel 0181 533
7111, or from McLibel Campaign (donation).
Oct 16th Worldwide Day of Action Against McDonald's - picket your
local store.
Leaflets 15 pounds per 1,000 from Veggies, 180 Mansfield Road,
Nottingham NG1 3HW, Tel 0115 9585666.
For leafletting stores in Greater London, contact McLibel
Campaign.
Demo at McDonald'
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U.S. McLibel Support Campaign Press Office
PO Box 62 Phone/Fax 802-586-9628
Craftsbury VT 05826-0062 Email dbriars@world.std.com
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