road protests 1998
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Date: Wed, 02 Dec 1998 10:55:31 +0000
From: Cornerstone Resource Centre (cornerstone@gn.apc.org)
Subject: EF! Action Update no.54
NABURN OPENING DISRUPTED - York
The new 'designer outlet' out of town shopping centre in York, has been the scene of protests for 3 years now, including a tree camp in the summer of 1996. It finally opened its doors to the public on the 12th November, but US multinational McArthur Glen must have suspected that things were not going to run smoothly...
About 30 activists who had been involved with various stages of the campaign turned up for the big day, along with about 3000 mindless consumers. Some protesters were well known to security, and so were noisily carried out before the opening ceremony started. The ensuing struggles with security outside the centre intrigued the people queuing to go in, which meant they lapped up the campaign leaflets which were being distributed.
As the opening ceremony was about to start, one woman felt the time was right to create a scene. Although it was totally unplanned, she flung off all her clothes and made a rush for the stage. Several other people followed, ranting and generally causing disruption. A school party was at the front of the audience, holding up the pictures they had prepared, but upon being confronted with naked flesh, their teacher decided it was wisest to usher them all out, adding to the havoc.
Finally the microphones refused to work, meaning the opening speeches couldn't take place - protestors got the blame although they might not have deserved it! In the end though, the ceremony was 'well bollocksed' , which after all is the most important thing!
road protests 1998
| road protests (current)
| movement links