By Rob Heller
MELBOURNE — To mark UN World Food Day on October 16 a roving demonstration was held in the central business district here targeting McDonald's outlets. Around 60 activists handed out hundreds of leaflets and chanted slogans like, "who needs rainforest when you've got a burger?", "smash the Mac" and "Ronald is not my friend".
The demonstration was overwhelmingly attended by anarchists who kept the police guessing. Some protesters "recycled" McDonald's packaging by dumping it outside the restaurant.
The leaflet, titled "What's wrong with McDonald's? Everything they don't want you to know", was a local version of the leaflet distributed by two English activists, Helen Steele and David Morris, in London from 1989-90. The leaflet has been reprinted around the world and more than one million copies have been distributed.
That leaflet lead to what is now known as the McLibel trial, the longest trial in British history. The court has heard over 180 witnesses in more than 200 trial days. Helen and David are defending themselves, while McDonald's is paying $9,000 a day to barristers. Updates of the trial are available on the internet: http://www.McSpotlight.org/; or contact The McLibel Support Campaign (Australia), PO Box 558, Qld 4101; or Melbourne McPropaganda, PO Box 199, East Brunswick, Vic 3057.