Anita Goldsmith, StopEsso campaign
On 24 February, Greenpeace supporters disrupted Esso’s operations across the UK by shutting down garages as well as occupying the company’s headquarters. Esso has done more than any other company to keep the US hooked on oil, fuelling Bush’s war and causing global warming.
Three hundred activists working in small teams of four or five successfully closed 120 garages. First they shut off electricity to the pumps, and then dismantled the electricity switch (these were later posted to Exxon Board members in the USA). The pumps were locked together with bicycle locks. Activist teams then converged on a central garage within each region where they chained themselves onto pumps and handed out leaflets. A further 90 activists from all over Europe closed the Esso Headquarters in Leatherhead. The entrance to the complex was blocked by a truck carrying the message: Esso – Stop Fuelling Bush’s War.
Although there were scores of arrests, it was all quite friendly (as it should be) and many people were later released without charge, while others paid a £50 fine for trespass. Thirty-eight activists are bailed to appear in court over the next few weeks, facing various charges.
Time and again Esso demonstrates that it only cares about oil, oil and more oil. We know that Esso was behind Bush pulling out of the Kyoto Protocol. And given the company’s don’t-give-a-damn attitude, it comes as no surprise that top investment analysts now say Esso is in ‘pole position’ to benefit from a regime change in Iraq. By not buying Esso petrol we can help stop oil wars and global warming.
This article orginally appeared in Network newsletter - March 2003
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