In 2005 the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg declared that the infamous McLibel trial was in breach of the right to a fair trial and the right to freedom of expression, thereby voiding any solace that McNasty may have enjoyed from the trial.
The Court ruled that UK laws had failed to protect the public’s right to criticise massive corporations whose business practices can affect people’s lives, health and the environment.
Meanwhile after spending £10million to suppress free speech, McDonalds find that the most widely distributed protest leaflet continues to be distributed worldwide...
To celebrate the McLibel Human Rights Victory Anniversary, there was a small demo on Thursday 15th February, 2007, 5pm - 6pm at Exchange Walk, Nottingham
The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg declared that the notorious and long running McLibel case was in breach of the right to a fair trial and right to freedom of expression, thereby voiding any solace that McNasty may have enjoyed from the trial.
The Court ruled that UK laws had failed to protect the public’s right to criticise massive corporations whose business practices can affect people’s lives, health and the environment.
Meanwhile after spending £10 million to suppress free speach, McDonalds find that the most widely distributed protest leaflet ever, continues to be distributed worldwide... I include a copy, for your interest!
As ever, when a protest is involved, there is a uniform nearby that has to get involved. Bless, they can't help it, can they. This being a Community Protection Officer [half-a-constable] .... he had taken it upon himself to tell a student journalist that he couldn't take pictures that included him! The student was attracted by the fact that someone had given the officer a leaflet and he was reading it.
Yet again, an officer abusing and exceeding his authority in intimidating people from doing something they are legally entitled to do, namely to take a photograph in a public place. I interceded pointing out that it was so allowed, and that he should leave him alone.
Meanwhile, it was a productive event, with many leaflets given out, and many folks interested in the issues being highlighted. Cheers to those that turned out on a cold and windy evening. Nice one!
In 1997 Justice Bell, presiding at the High Court McLibel Trial, had ruled that McDonald's marketing has "pretended to a positive nutritional benefit which their food did not match"; that they "exploit children"; are "culpably responsible for animal cruelty" and "pay low wages".
The Appeal court added that it was fair comment that their employees worldwide "do badly in terms of pay and conditions", and true that "if one eats enough McDonald's food" this may well lead to "the very real risk of heart disease."
Adopt-YOUR-Store!
Download and print fliers from McSpotlight or Veggies websites (uses Adobe Acrobat Reader).
Leaflets also available from Veggies : details here.
EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS confirms 'McDonald’s were not able to claim damages against Veggies for further distribution of the material (What's Wrong With Mc'Donald Factsheet)' :
"On the last day of the (McLibel) trial, Mr Rampton, counsel for McDonalds, stated: ‘I would certainly accept that after the agreement, the settlement with Veggies had been reached, McDonald’s were not able to claim damages against Veggies for further distribution of the material which is the subject of this action. Plainly because there has been an accord of satisfactions..."
"Veggies: as explained previously Veggies reprinted the London Greenpeace Factsheet and have been its main distributors from 1987. After being threatened that year with legal action by McDonald's solicitors there were negotiations and the company dropped all further action. The agreement reached specifically accepted the continued distribution of the Factsheet with only minor amendments, in reality only affecting the 'rainforest' section. Veggies continue to circulate this version of the Factsheet widely. McDonald’s have accepted that their agreement with Veggies amounts to an ‘accord of satisfactions".
McLibel - Two People Who Wouldn't Say Sorry (2005) - 1:22:13 - Spanner Films
Two activists take on McDonald's in the longest trial in English history. McLibel is the inside story of how a single father and a part-time bar worker took on the McDonald's Corporation. Filmed over three years, the documentary follows Helen Steel and Dave Morris as they are transformed from anonymous campaigners against the fast food giant into unlikely global heroes. Struggling to defend themselves in the longest trial in English history, the pair face infiltration by spies, secret meetings with corporate executives, 40,000 pages of background reading and a visit from Ronald McDonald. Using interviews with witnesses and reconstructions of key moments in court, the film examines the main issues of the trial - nutrition, animals, advertising, employment, the environment - and the implications for freedom of speech.
Full report and photos at 
