Guildford Anti-WTO Report
S@G | 11.11.2001 16:48
On Friday 9th, 7 activists from S@G and the WOMBLES leafleted several shops in Guildford. We faced fierce opposition from corporate security guards and staff, and for some reason support from the police. We also received some support from a man with a pram who hurled abuse at Nike and security guards as we were being kicked out. On Saturday we decided to go back with our friends...
In Guildford approx. 20 activists from S@G and the WOMBLES gathered outside the main station and then marched into town. Sadly several people failed to turn up, and we didn't have many overalls, so we decided not to wear them. The first target was GAP who uses sweatshop labour. Whilst some people entered the store and leafleted customers, others started a picket outside, leafleting people in the street. When everyone had been kicked out we moved on...
The second target was Starbucks who exploit workers and sell GM coffee. Some activists entered the shop and leafleted customers disappearing by the time security arrived. Others stood outside and leafleted the entrance. Security booted everyone onto the pavement and then called the police, this was when the surveillance began...
The group marched up the High St. followed by CCTV to encounter a solitary policeman blocking our path. Our amazing disguises allowed us to slip past him, but he was radioed and we were stopped. Apparently a warning was issued about "trespassing in Starbucks" on the Friday. This is utter bollocks - we had been told that it was illegal not to leave when asked to. The discussion (caught on video) continued for a few minutes, and then we moved off and the policeman went the other way. The CCTV stayed...
We arrived at McDonalds and leafleted all the customers with the famed "What's wrong with McDonald's?" leaflet. When we'd finished, we started to picket outside. McDonalds staff belatedly rushed to the door and stayed there until we'd left. After distributing all our leaflets we marched back into town to the beat of our drum...
Still being followed by police CCTV we made our way to the Friary shopping centre where we began to leaflet Nike and Disney. Nike kicked everyone out and Disney didn't seem to notice. Then security turned up, stopped us filming and kicked us out. Having distributed all our propaganda the group decided to disperse and retreat to the pub. Activists from S@G will next be taking to the streets on a large scale at the anti-war march on the 18th November. We will be participating in the anti-capitalist bloc, but welcome the presence of all people opposed to war. We will be catching the 9:48 train from Guildford and 9:57 from Woking that morning.
S@G & W@
The second target was Starbucks who exploit workers and sell GM coffee. Some activists entered the shop and leafleted customers disappearing by the time security arrived. Others stood outside and leafleted the entrance. Security booted everyone onto the pavement and then called the police, this was when the surveillance began...
The group marched up the High St. followed by CCTV to encounter a solitary policeman blocking our path. Our amazing disguises allowed us to slip past him, but he was radioed and we were stopped. Apparently a warning was issued about "trespassing in Starbucks" on the Friday. This is utter bollocks - we had been told that it was illegal not to leave when asked to. The discussion (caught on video) continued for a few minutes, and then we moved off and the policeman went the other way. The CCTV stayed...
We arrived at McDonalds and leafleted all the customers with the famed "What's wrong with McDonald's?" leaflet. When we'd finished, we started to picket outside. McDonalds staff belatedly rushed to the door and stayed there until we'd left. After distributing all our leaflets we marched back into town to the beat of our drum...
Still being followed by police CCTV we made our way to the Friary shopping centre where we began to leaflet Nike and Disney. Nike kicked everyone out and Disney didn't seem to notice. Then security turned up, stopped us filming and kicked us out. Having distributed all our propaganda the group decided to disperse and retreat to the pub. Activists from S@G will next be taking to the streets on a large scale at the anti-war march on the 18th November. We will be participating in the anti-capitalist bloc, but welcome the presence of all people opposed to war. We will be catching the 9:48 train from Guildford and 9:57 from Woking that morning.
S@G & W@
S@G
e-mail:
saggymail@hushmail.com
Comments
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GAP action in Guildford
11.11.2001 19:10
We targetted not only those going into the shop, but also anyone carrying trendy shopping bags or who looked as though they were dumb enough to shop in GAP. We did not target the general public.
The action went down very well. GAP staff were pretty pissed off, espcially when customers walked into the shop reading flyers, but there was nothing they could do. At least 10% did not shop that day.
If more resources would target on a random but regular basis.
We had no hassle from the police, but were careful not to obstruct the highway or shop entrance.
What is the purpose of the ction: police confrontaion or shutting down GAP?
Next time consider warning GAP of our intentions. Loss of sales hits them hard. We need to do so often until they stop using sweatshop labour.
Hit them where it hurts, their profits.
Keith Parkins
e-mail:
keithpp@hotmail.com
Homepage:
http://www.heureka.clara.net/gaia/
Nice one!
11.11.2001 20:22
Solidarity.
antiwar
SAG - Surrey Activist Group
11.11.2001 23:23
S@G
S@G
e-mail:
see above