Anti-war Protestors Storm CBI Conference
Stuart H | 24.11.2002 19:30
Anti-war demonstrators storm CBI conference to protest about the links between corporations and war.
The CBI annual conference, named the 'Fat Cats Conference' by Globalise Resistance, began today (24 November)in Manchester. It was greeted for the first time with a union-organised protest that was joined by anti-capitalist and anti-war demonstrators.
Amicus union was demonstrating in favour of equal pay for men and women. As the BBC news went live to Manchester to get a report on the anti-firefighter conference speeches, up to 100 anti-war protesters broke past a handful of security men and rushed into the building with placards saying 'No blood for oil'.
The BBCs Evan Davis followed this and reportedly said that this was bad news for the CBI. It was a great media coup to have gone in at that moment.
According to BBC online, "a window was broken during the scuffle, but the demonstrators were moved back outside the conference centre. They said they wanted to highlight the link between big business and war."
Over the next few days, speakers will include 'Iron-fist the firefighters' Chancellor Gordon Brown, US War Treasury Chest Secretary Paul O'Neill, Cabinet Ministers Patricia 'i used to be a feminist' Hewitt and Charles 'top-up fees' Clarke, Shadow Chancellor Michael 'something of the night' Howard, Liberal Democrat Leader Charles 'mine's a bottle of whisky' Kennedy and Hewlett-Packard chairman, Carly Fiorina.
The CBI has been crying and moaning about EU legislation to give temporary workers more rights, about tax and 'red tape' - red tape meaning social and employment regulation protecting workers from Victorian-era exploitation.
Its also been crying about the firefighters strike and those 'greedy and selfish' people who want £30,000 a year for risking their lives to pull millionaires out of burning mansions.
Amicus union was demonstrating in favour of equal pay for men and women. As the BBC news went live to Manchester to get a report on the anti-firefighter conference speeches, up to 100 anti-war protesters broke past a handful of security men and rushed into the building with placards saying 'No blood for oil'.
The BBCs Evan Davis followed this and reportedly said that this was bad news for the CBI. It was a great media coup to have gone in at that moment.
According to BBC online, "a window was broken during the scuffle, but the demonstrators were moved back outside the conference centre. They said they wanted to highlight the link between big business and war."
Over the next few days, speakers will include 'Iron-fist the firefighters' Chancellor Gordon Brown, US War Treasury Chest Secretary Paul O'Neill, Cabinet Ministers Patricia 'i used to be a feminist' Hewitt and Charles 'top-up fees' Clarke, Shadow Chancellor Michael 'something of the night' Howard, Liberal Democrat Leader Charles 'mine's a bottle of whisky' Kennedy and Hewlett-Packard chairman, Carly Fiorina.
The CBI has been crying and moaning about EU legislation to give temporary workers more rights, about tax and 'red tape' - red tape meaning social and employment regulation protecting workers from Victorian-era exploitation.
Its also been crying about the firefighters strike and those 'greedy and selfish' people who want £30,000 a year for risking their lives to pull millionaires out of burning mansions.
Stuart H
e-mail:
stuart@leedsalumni.org.uk
Comments
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women speak out!
24.11.2002 21:08
A very noisy and inspiring protest! Thanks to all the bold Mancunians for organising this, and a special hug to Mick Death, just for being there. :o)
Women Speak Out report and photos later.
xxx
sister
MASS WEAPONS INSPECTION OF USAF FAIRFORD
24.11.2002 21:37
DATE & TIME: Saturday 14th December @ 12:00noon
The Gloucestershire Weapons Inspectors are coming:
http://www.gwi.org.uk
NOT IN OUR NAME - NOT FROM OUR LAND.
AT LEAST 6 TOWNS & CITIES ARE SO FAR INVOLVED. SPREAD
THE WORD, & BOOK YOUR COACHES NOW.
Bristol-Stop-The-War have called a REGION WIDE demo of USAF
Fairford (Gloucestershire) in response to it's use by US Stealth Bombers, which will be used to carpet bomb Iraqi Cities. The public have repeatedly made clear we oppose this war, yet our government has the audacity to invite these weapons of mass destruction into our country.
Upon arrival we will encourage protesters to surround the base in a peaceful show of strength, while our weapons inspection team requests entry to base. People wishing to engage in non-violent direct action (NVDA) are encouraged to attend, but please be aware that Bristol-Stop-The-War cannot offer specific legal support for NVDA actions.
PLEASE BRING VIDEO CAMERAS.
THIS MAY BE OUR LAST 'PEACE-TIME' OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW
CLEAR PUBLIC OPPOSITION TO THIS WAR.
Fairford is 10 miles north of Swindon & 20 miles west of Oxford. Fairford is on the A417 going east to west. Or along the A361 going north to south, turning onto the A417 at Lechlade village. USAF Fairford is 10 minutes walk from Fairford Village.
*********************************************
DEMONSTRATE: Sat 14th December. 12noon. USAF Fairford.
BRISTOL COACH TICKETS: £10 waged / £4 unwaged
AVAILABLE FROM: Greenleaf Books. 82 Colston St. BS1 5BB
(Top Of Christmas Steps. City Centre)
COACHES LEAVE: Anchor Road @ 10.00am
(Behind The Watershed Complex. City Centre)
DIRECTIONS : CLICK BELOW
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?gride=358590&gridn=172858&title
Bristol-Stop-The-War
e-mail: james@venables.plus.com
Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bristol-stop-the-war-coalition
Join the FBU protest at the CBI Monday 25th N
24.11.2002 22:01
Be there
Richard