11th anniversary of Ken Saro-Wiwa murder marked in London
Harry Helios | 11.11.2006 18:52 | Climate Chaos | Culture | History | Social Struggles | London
Shell's Wild Lie at the Museum gates, 10.11.06
Reaction from punters was initially depressing, as one hissed an insult as he passed me, but then a few came up and said they agreed with me, which was a massive relief since Museum employees kept whispering in my ear that the people had no interest in my views. There was even a brief round of applause as I reached the exhibition exit.
Others leafletted and chatted to Museum visitors before also being led out.
Outside, we set up the Shell's Wild Lie counter-exhibition (
http://www.artnotoil.org.uk/gallery/v/Shell/) and gave out leaflets. An artist and her partner made a point of coming over and thanking us for making them aware of these issues, leaving us with a heartwarming 'Thank you for caring.' This was a day of action called partly by the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, and partly by activists in Rossport. With any luck shortly there will be a report of a Rossport-based Shell action also in London.
See also www.shelloiledwildife.org.uk
Harry Helios
e-mail:
london@risingtide.org.uk
Homepage:
http://www.londonrisingtide.org.uk
Additions
WHAT LIES BENEATH SHELL’S WILD LI(F)E?
11.11.2006 19:04
Today is the 11th anniversary of the murder of activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and 8 compatriots in Nigeria because of the threat they posed to Shell and the oil industry there.
Shell is the third largest oil company in the world.
It is also the new sponsor of the Natural History Museum’s
Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition.
Could you sign on to a statement opposing this sponsorship,
or lend images to our counter-exhibition?
If you agree with us that this is a ridiculous situation, please sign on to this statement which we will publicise online to help build the pressure on the Natural History Museum (NHM). (Send your name to us at
info@artnotoil.org.uk) ‘Despite attempts to ‘greenwash’ its reputation via blanket advertising and cultural sponsorship, Shell is
still heavily implicated in producing ever-greater quantities of the oil and gas that are destabilising our climate to such an alarming degree. Climate change is set to wipe out millions of plant and animal species and to devastate the poorest regions of the planet. Shell’s activities also result in oil spills which are major causes of death and destruction for many varieties of life. Lastly, Shell is currently constructing a massive development at Sakhalin Island in Russia which is threatening the survival of the Western Pacific Grey Whale. For all these reasons, Shell should not be sponsoring the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. We call on the Natural History Museum to end its sponsorship deal with Shell.’
Tell NHM boss Michael Dixon directly what you think of Shell (not to mention BP, which is a Museum partner):
(020) 7942 5000;
m.dixon@nhm.ac.uk, cc’ing to feedback@nhm.ac.uk & us. …and get more involved in the Art Not Oil campaign/exhibition:
London Rising Tide, taking creative direct action on the root causes of climate chaos:
c/o 62 Fieldgate Street, London E1 1ES. Tel: 07708 794665
info@artnotoil.org.uk www.shelloiledwildlife.org.uk www.artnotoil.org.uk www.londonrisingtide.org.uk
Tarry
