'McLibel' pair win legal aid case

[Spiral]

20 quid! Bloody capitalists It's worth every penny though.

[Gorilla]

yeah well i know it's for a good cause but i think i'll see if i can borrow or rent it first

[gertvegan]

The McLibel dvd is being screened at the Pogo Cafe on Monday 2 May.

[gertvegan]

Global Exchange, CorpWatch and National Lawyers Guild on Board to Promote High-Profile ‘McLibel’ Case Doc. Film Opens in June

MAY 11, 2005, www.commondreams.org

LOS ANGELES -- May 11 -- Global Exchange, CorpWatch, National Lawyers Guild, CodePink, Voices for a Viable Future, SF Vegetarian Society and Bay Area Vegetarians have joined forces with Cinema Libre Studio to support the June theatrical release of the controversial documentary ‘McLibel.’


Directed by Franny Armstrong, “McLibel” follows the 15-year story of London Greenpeace activists Helen Steel and Dave Morris as they are transformed from anonymous campaign volunteers into unlikely global heroes. McDonald’s sued the single father and part-time bar worker for libel in 1990, after “McSpies” infiltrated their non-profit group.


Morris and Steel refused to apologize for distributing a leaflet that asked consumers to ponder the question: “What’s Wrong with McDonald’s?” The leaflet listed 15 reasons why the corporation did not have the public’s best interests in mind. The ‘McLibel 2’ defended themselves through what became the longest running legal battle in English history. The case has been described as “the biggest corporate PR disaster” ever.


“For organizations like ours,” says Andrea Buffa, Communications Director of Global Exchange, “that are dedicated to exposing the toll that corporate globalization takes on human rights and environment, it is important we be able to get real information to the public about what corporations are doing. Global Exchange can’t afford billboards and television commercials like the corporations can, so we need to be able to spread our information in other ways – like leafleting outside McDonald’s the way David and Helen did.”


The seven organizations will provide support for the film by spreading the word on a grassroots level and educating their members on the issues raised in the film in relation to their own organizational causes. Some of the orgs will reach out to the media, leafleting outside of McDonald’s in select cities and by creating specific actions to promote the film.


Eric Schlosser, author of “Fast Food Nation,” became a supporter of “McLibel” early by participating in the film as one of the interviewees. In addition, agit-prop artist Ron English generously donated his artwork titled “McAmerica” (owned by Robert C. Carvalho) to use as the “McLibel” poster image in the US.


In the “McLibel” case (1996-2005), London’s Royal Courts of Justice found McDonald’s marketing to have claimed “a positive nutritional benefit which their food did not match”, that McDonald’s “exploits children” with their advertising strategy, found the company to be “culpably responsible for animal cruelty”, and that it was fair comment to say that McDonald’s employees worldwide “do badly in terms of pay and conditions.” And finally, “If one eats enough McDonald’s food, one’s diet may well become high in fat, with the very real risk of heart disease.”


In February 2005, the European Court of Human Rights declared that the notorious “McLibel” case breached Steel’s and Morris’ rights to a fair trial, to freedom of expression, and had failed to protect the public’s right to criticize massive corporations whose business practices can affect people’s lives, health and the environment. The court’s rulings will likely change the course of British freedom of speech laws forever.


Media interest in the story remains as fevered today as it has been for the past decade and a half.


“This story is an inspiration to activists everywhere,” says Pratap Chatterjee, managing editor/project director of CorpWatch. “Two individuals with no money can defeat multinational Goliaths!”


“McLibel” will open on Friday, June 10th in San Francisco and Seattle and will continue to Minneapolis on June 17th. Exact theaters to be announced shortly and additional cities to be added soon.


Grassroots organizations interested in becoming involved in the McLibel campaign should contact Rich Castro at rcastro@cinemalibrestudio.com.


ATTENTION EDITORS AND PRODUCERS: Screeners of “McLibel” and interviews with Franny Armstrong, Dave Morris or Helen Steel are available upon request. To learn more about the feature film “McLibel,” or to download photos, please visit www.McLibelthemovie.com.

[eve]

In this month's New Internationalist, there's an item about the McLibel film, that it is now on dvd, updated with the recent victory at the European Court of Human Rights. The dvd is available from Spanner Films. Their website looks great, just go to Latest News to read about the dvd. http://www.spannerfilms.net/

The first review of the McLibel DVD was: "Puts many big studio releases to shame."

[gertvegan]

Just ordered a dvd.

[eve]

Everyone keeps telling me to buy a dvd player as they're so cheap, but unfortunately my tv won't accept dvds, and I can't afford a new tv, so ...

[snaffler]

I watched the doc on this on tv at the weekend it was great and very interesting I am so pleased for them.....watching bullies get their dues is always good.

[Gorilla]

there's a programme on BBC2 tonight at 10:30pm about McLibel, not sure if it's the one they showed on BBC4 last month, but i'll be watching it (or possibly taping it) anyway

ETA: found out it is the same programme.

[littleTigercub]

You know what annoys me like mad?

This afternoon, I have read about the trial in an old magazine of the time and had made a mental note that I must research the topic on the internet. Although I have been online I only did this 5 mins ago and, of course, missed the BBC 2 docu!

Why? WHY???? If anybody has taped it, can I buy or borrow a copy from you? Please!

Damn, I am so annoyed!

littleTigercub

[Gorilla]

sorry littleTigercub, i decided to watch it last night and didn't tape it. i shouldn't have stayed up so late as i am now really tired!! i hadn't seen any trailers for it on TV and it was only because i checked the TV guide by chance that i even knew it was on...maybe that's because i don't really watch TV much though.

it was definitely worth watching and my boyfriend watched it with me. he said it was more because he was interested in the legal side of it (he has a degree in law). when he saw the scene about the animals being killed though he said he understands why i get so upset about it now - he gave up meat about six months ago and said seeing things like that never used to bother him, but now it upsets him a lot more. i think he's starting to realise what's involved in meat production.

ETA: i think Dave & Helen are briiiiiiiiiilliiaaaaaaant!!
i could never do anything like that they're so brave for going through all of it. they seem so strong-willed and it's encouraging to see people stand up for what they believe in.

[littleTigercub]

Was this the same than the DVD or another programme?

I am thinking of buying the DVD (although the price of £ 20.00 puts me off), but I would pay for all expenses if somebody would be able to borrow me the video.

littleTigercub

[Kevster]

I managed to watch the Mclibel documentary last night, i really enjoyed watching it, i highly recommend it. A couple of amazingly dedicated and persistent people up against a corporate giant.

[catmogg]

Missed it, damn.

[gertvegan]

From www.spannerfilms.net .

UK Cinema release, 17 February 2006. McLibel is on for one week at the Odeon Wardour St, in London from Friday 17 Feb. Then our solitary 35mm print will be off for a trip round the country.

Obviously too late for Wardour St. Check out your local cinema listings.