An online campaign against the company, called by the National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns, had already started in the morning, [4] so all office doors were locked and protesters were met with rude and abusive attitudes by some CWT employees.

Having presented the company with the award, protesters went on to leaflet people working in the big office block, including CWT's employees, during their lunch break. [5] Some of them were shocked to discover that their company does not only deal with smiley business clients. After about two hours, police arrived but protesters had run out of leaflets and were about to leave anyway.

One of the protesters, who preferred to keep anonymous, said:
“While priding itself on its 'corporate social responsibility', with an alleged focus on environmental issues, Carlson Wagonlit is making millions out of flying people to their possible death and torture.

The vast majority of forcible deportations are to countries devastated by wars, armed conflicts, repressive regimes and poverty. Many deportees have been kidnapped, imprisoned, tortured and killed. Many have had to change their identities or move again to avoid persecution. People's lives are torn apart as they are split from their families and communities here and their right to freedom of movement is denied.

In light of its outstanding achievement in facilitating these crimes, Carlson Wagonlit does deserve to be added to the top of a growing list of deportation profiteers.”

The protest was part of a European Week of Action Against the Deportation Machine, from 1st to 6th June. [6]


Notes:

[1] A copy of the award certificate can be found at
 http://stopdeportation.net/sites/default/files/CWTaward.jpg

[2] Carlson Wagonlit Travel's contact details can be found at
 http://www.carlsonwagonlit.com/en/global/contact/office_locator/united-kingdom.html
Main Office: Maple House, High Street, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, EN6 5RF
Phone: +44 (0)20 3353 0000
Fax: +44 (0)20 7492 3043
Media Contact: Kim Derderian, Tel: +33 (0)1 41 33 60 44

[3] See  http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/01/359875.html

[4]  http://www.ncadc.org.uk/stopthatflight.html#bookingagent

[5] A copy of the leaflet can be found at
 http://stopdeportation.net/sites/default/files/CWTleaflet.jpg

[6] The callout for the Week of Action can be found at  http://stopdeportation.net/node/40.
Details of protests and actions can be found at  http://stopdeportation.net/node/47.