Blockade of Total Garage in solidarity with Burmese protesters
bradfordian | 27.09.2007 22:19 | Anti-militarism | Repression | Social Struggles
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.
bradfordian
Homepage:
http://www.bradfordcampaigners.co.nr
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Goodstuff
28.09.2007 11:30
Freeburma
Total oil and other profiteers of repression need to feel the heat
28.09.2007 12:37
Total oil, the Chinese embassy, the Indian embassy, the Russian embassy, travel agents that send tour groups to Burma - we the British public need to ensure that all parties that profit from the illegitimate Burmese regime are held to account. Peaceful protest and non-violent direct action are absolutely valid responses - and for once I think Brown and co might just have an ounce of sympathy for the activists - public opinion is firmly on our side.
End the repression now!
More of this needed now!
28.09.2007 14:10
As well as exerting pressure on governments, this is a great strategic move. UK (pref. world) - wide Total focused actions are needed. Check out your nearest garage now.
TOTALitarian
Homepage:
http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/total_response.html
more UK Burma potential targets at
28.09.2007 20:50
reposter
Regime change, sanctions, franchised revolutions, and low intensity democracy.
03.10.2007 23:34
Why the sudden interest in Burma?
Bread and Butter Issues behind Myanmar Protests
For the Decisive Victory of Myanmar against Imperialism
Stop the New York money peoples war on China and Chinas weapons of mass production
US Industry/Think Tank blue print and talking points for the war on china.
China Approves Oil Pipeline to Burma
"Cuba opposed foreign interference in Myanmar's affairs."
Burmese FM blames 'opportunists'
He said "neo-colonialism has reared its ugly head" by trying to spread disinformation about human rights
abuses in Burma. "The situation would not have deteriorated had the initial protest of a small group of activists against
the rise in fuel prices had not been exploited by political opportunists," he said.
"They sought to turn the situation into a political showdown aided and abetted by some powerful countries.
"One of the first and best known cyber campaigns confronting the Rangoon government is Burmanet, an e-mail service that distributes news about the country. A mainstay for activists and journalists covering the country, Burmanet is sponsored in part by the financier George Soros.... Collecting information about human rights abuses and delivering them to Internet-enabled offices along the Thai border is now one of the group's priority operations."
Soros internet overthrows explained: (Low intensity democracy)
Junta , Thugs or Soros: The Soros Threat To Democracy
Billioniare George soros also funded Tienemman square to destabilize China and seize control of Chinas economy.
"billionaire George Soros"
The ICG International Crisis group pushing the regime change is a front group for the Council on Foreign Relations and billionaire global pirate George Soros who also funds Human Rights Watch, Move On and its front group Avaaz.
On ICGs board is Henry Kissinger and Zbigniew Brzezinski who engineered the soviet invasion of Afghanistan to use it as a battle ground to inflict on the soviet union a military and moral defeat on the scale the US suffered in Vietnam.
Additionally ICGs advisory council is made of of multinational energy strip mining conglomerates and looter banks such as JP Morgan and credit Suisse.
What the "Junta" wants: His Excellency U Nyan Win Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar
ksrtiosd
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