Around 30 activists blockaded a Total petrol station to protest against the company's heavy involvement with the military junta in Burma which is responsible for the deaths of several protesters in just the last few days.
Total is in a joint venture with the Burmese dictatorship in the Yadana gas project, which earns the regime hundreds of millions of dollars every year. Aung Sun Suu Kyi, the democratically elected leader of the Burmese government under house arrest, says: “Total has become the main supporter of the military regime”.
A mix of students and locals stood, sat or drummed across both entrances to the forecourt for an hour and a half. Holding a banner reading "Totalitarian Oil-Fuelling Oppression in Burma" they leafleted and spoke to passers-by and motorists.
A few drivers were not so supportive, including one truck driver who carried on driving into the protesters in the entrance way even as they banged frantically on the windscreen. Even a local cop (who had previously tried to shove protesters off the road) decided to tell the driver to back off. Most drivers however were supportive and chose not to try and cross the blockade. Although many people were aware of the situation on Burma they had not heard of Total's involvement.
A mix of students and locals stood, sat or drummed across both entrances to the forecourt for an hour and a half. Holding a banner reading "Totalitarian Oil-Fuelling Oppression in Burma" they leafleted and spoke to passers-by and motorists.
A few drivers were not so supportive, including one truck driver who carried on driving into the protesters in the entrance way even as they banged frantically on the windscreen. Even a local cop (who had previously tried to shove protesters off the road) decided to tell the driver to back off. Most drivers however were supportive and chose not to try and cross the blockade. Although many people were aware of the situation on Burma they had not heard of Total's involvement.
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