The first was the British Petroleum (BP) Annual General Meeting (AGM), where shareholders and various chairmen and CEOs gathered to review the companies economic accumulation for the year. The event was flanked by an entourage of private security, police and surveillance teams.

Recognising this auspicious event in BP's calender was the Carnival Against Oil Wars and Climate Chaos, ready to meet the delegates and BP employees with music, jugglers and samba dancers and plenty of counter-info.

Outside the AGM hundreds of copies of the 'Real' BP Annual Report 2003 were handed out to arriving shareholders - this amazingly produced glossy magazine depicted BP's rape of the land, its contribution to climate change catastrophes and exploitation of indigenous peoples and peasant farming communities. The event was also crucial in revealing the complicity of oil companies in the attack on Iraq and other oil wars as they strive to fund, open and control new foreign oil markets.

For over an hour as crowds gathered, a samba band played tunes of resistance to drown out the talk of corporate green-wash and hypocritical hyperbole of concern over environmental impacts. Together with the band, sexy samba dancers provocatively wiggled their bottoms and streamed pink ribbons at delegates and the lines of police 'protecting' the entrance to the AGM, while several women dressed in black mourning clothes with veils greeted the shareholders.

Meanwhile, inside the AGM, a small number of campaigners made their objections clear, shouting and letting off stink bombs before being forcibly ejected. Outside many banners adorned walls and bridges leaving no one in any doubt as to the reasons for the protest, with one large info display detailing the many forms of environmentally friendly energy sources available to us,

At one point the samba began to snake around the crowds and slowly danced their way around the exterior of the venue, easily gliding past a small accompanying police line. They brought with them a small crowd of campaigners and activists. As they reached the back entrance they were stopped by a heavier mobilisation of police. The campaigners danced at the police lines but were vigorously pushed and shoved back, with one or two rougher incidents. As the samba left the back entrance, there was one of the several incidents of random "Stop and searches". The young lad in question was searched apparently for offensive weapons.

With the AGM underway inside, the samba band and campaigners were back on the riverside of the south bank, to listen to an alternative "AGM" that was getting underway. This AGM had all the markings of the real one inside, except that the PA system was provided by two mobile sound systems mounted on tricycles. Announced by a besuited chairman spoofing the sustainability ethic of BP, a new BP logo - BP the frog - an amphibious green reptile - was unveiled. We heard hysterical environmental reports and financial reports, as well as a wonderfully funny freak weather news slot.

On a more serious note speakers included a representative from Colombian communities under daily threat from paramilitaries sponsored as protection rackets for corporate interests. A representative from the Kudrish communities taking about the human costs of the new BP Baku-Cyan pipeline project, to be built acros miles of natural habitat. There were amazing poetry and singers contributing to the voices raised against the destructive force that is the oil industry.

The alternative AGM was informative, funny and a whole lot more concerned about the principles of environmental protection, civil rights, climate chaos and the real human costs lost to BP's profit driven agenda than the "real" AGM inside the Festival Hall.

As the AGM wound down to it's conclusion, the crowd joined in making a one hell of a noise for around one minute cheering, whooping, blowing whistles and banging drums to make certain those inside the AGM could hear dissenting voices. Finally those present outside voted not to accept the real BP annual report.

Weirdly, as the alternative AGM finished, a brief downpour of rain reminded us just what real April weather should be like, reinforcing the chaotic weather trends that has seen the rainfall levels for february at 50% and that for march at just 30% - with record temperatures becoming the norm year in year out.

With the mobile sound systems blasting out music and delicious veggie pasties and cakes being served the event drew to a close, but not before the crowd again danced around the Festival Hall as the delegates were leaving.

All in all a truly creative and inspiring day with lots of participation.

BP - Be Prepared... there's more to come.

 http://www.burningplanet.net/main.html