An A3 size Christmas Card with over 100 signatures has been posted to Total Holdings UK at 33 Cavendish Square. Sporting a picture of the Nov 24th Baker Street protest and surrounded with "holly", the message inside reads: "Dear Total All we want for Christmas is Total out of Burma. See you in 2008."
A lot of Burmese signed it on Monday at Parliament Square, including the leader of the 88 Student movement just arrived from Thailand and also Ben Rogers of Christian Solidarity Worldwide who has made many visits across the border to "displaced" Burmese and ethnic minorities (see interview here).
33 Cavendish Square refused to accept the card at the front door at Wednesday's protest and their post delivery room at the back of the building was closed for a "book fair" just after they received a phone call from the front desk when we asked them. So yesterday, the card was posted from Redhill, where Total coincidentally have their offices for gas supplies in the UK.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
All we want for Christmas...
Chiswick latest protest target
From Indymedia:
For the second week running, the Total garage on Chiswick High Road was targeted on Thursday as eight protesters campaigned against Total's funding of the repressive regime in Burma.
Motorists were turned away from the station, pedestrians accepted leaflets and helped sign a petition. Some pedestrians also joined protesters in signing a "Christmas Card" to Total to tell them to get out of Burma. Full story
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
No Fuel for the Burmese Junta
Far from the headlines, the crisis in Burma continues--fueled, in part, by international oil corporations like Total Oil and Chevron/Texaco. These corporations don't just fund the junta; they lobby on its behalf in capital cities around the world. These are the same companies many of us fuel up with. That means our pressure as consumers has the power to force change—and it's our responsibility to act.
Will you pledge to join the global boycott of Chevron and Total? The boycott will last until the companies withdraw from Burma, or until the Burmese junta begins a genuine democratic transition and frees all political prisoners--including Aung San Suu Kyi. We'll deliver all the pledges and comments straight to the top management of Chevron and Total. You can see what brands to avoid in your country and take the pledge, at:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/burma_corporate
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Total to enhance Yadana production
The French oil and gas company Total has enlisted the help of the Burmese military to guard its drilling installations in the Gulf of Martaban while it carries out improvement work.
[...] Now the company is about to install new equipment in Yadana to enhance production and has secured the help of the regime in establishing an exclusion zone around the field as a “precautionary measure and a temporary decision,” a Total spokesperson told the French news agency AFP. The work is said to involve installation of a compression platform.
Industry insiders suggest the company may have sought the exclusion zone—barring other ships from entering the area of the platform site—out of concern those anti-regime activists may try to disrupt the work. Full story
Brighton demo, 24 November
From Indymedia:
As part of the November 24th day of action against Total Oil's involvement in the Burmese Junta, 15 Brighton based students and residents descended on the Total Oil garage in Kemp Town. Full story
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Totally Out of Order: A Day of Action
(From our press release issued 25 Nov. Further details and photos from the various protests will be posted soon.)
On Saturday 24 November, protests were held at 36 Total petrol stations across the UK. The protests called upon Total Oil to pull out of Burma and stop financing the Burmese military regime [1]. Protest locations included Bradford, Brighton, Chatham (Kent), Cardiff, Guernsey, London, Manchester, Oxford, St Albans and Virgina Water (Surrey).
Blockades occurred at some stations, with several lasting for an hour or more. In Camden 10 protestors blocked the York Way Total station for an hour, while 15 students in Surrey blockaded the Virginia Water petrol station for more than 2 hours. Throughout the UK the protests received support from motorists and pedestrians alike. Many drivers turned away from the petrol stations upon seeing the protests, some informing protestors that they would not to buy from Total again. At all the targetted petrol stations business was noticeably slow, and in some cases virtually non-existent, during the protests.
Paul Golding, one of the protestors, said, "Total’s investment in Burma is the largest in Europe. By paying millions of dollars to the Burmese dictatorship every year they are helping keep it in power. If the West wants to help end the oppression and ongoing human rights abuses in Burma, then quite simply, we must stop our companies from funding the oppressors."
In London, protests took place at 14 Total petrol stations during the course of the day. The final protest in London attracted over 30 supporters and took place at the Baker Street petrol station on Marylebone Rd, NW1, from 4pm to 6pm. In Guernsey, campaigners protested at all 14 Total stations on the island, and picketed the main station on the island for 3 hours. [2]
More photos can be viewed at http://www.flickr.com/photos/toastyoneuk
Contact: totaloutofburma[at]gmail.com
The day of action was part of a growing global campaign calling on French oil company Total to stop funding the Burmese junta:
- Boycott: Last week, the global internet advocacy website Avaaz.org launched a global boycott of Total, as well as US oil company Chevron, for their presence in Burma – with nearly 50,000 signing up in ten days [3].
- Divestment: European pension funds withdrew almost £110m in investments from Total in a matter of days in protest at the company's involvement in Burma. [4]
- Popular protests: Since October weekly protests have taken place in London outside Total Oil's offices. Other spontaneous protests have occurred outside Total garages around the UK. [5]
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
[1] Total Oil has had a joint business venture with the Burmese government since 1992. Its major project is the Yadana gas project in southern Burma, which earns the military regime hundreds of millions of dollars every year. Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma’s democracy leader, has said that “Total is the biggest supporter of the military regime in Burma.” For more information about Total Oil's investment in Burma see the Burma Campaign UK website: http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/total.php.
[2] A full list of protests on 24 November, plus further information about the campaign, can be found on this blog.
[3] See http://www.avaaz.org/en/burma_corporate/. Total’s products in the UK include its network of petrol stations, as well as such brands as Bostik (makers of Blu-tack) and Spontex cleaning products.
[4] See http://observer.guardian.co.uk/business/story/0,,2204744,00.html
[5] See reports on this blog.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Day of Action- Sat 24 Nov (updated)
DAY OF ACTION
SATURDAY 24 NOVEMBER 2007
Join the protests at TOTAL petrol stations around the UK calling for TOTAL to pull out of Burma. TOTAL's investment in Burma is earning the dictatorship hundreds of millions of dollars every year. Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma's democracy leader, has said that "TOTAL is the biggest supporter of the military regime in Burma".
Please show your support by attending one of the protests listed below. All those listed ARE due to take place. You are welcome to just turn up. Banners, placards and leaflets will be provided.
Information below:
1. Confirmed protests on Sat 24 November (updated 23 Nov)
2. Details of how to get involved and how to organise your own protest
If you have any queries please email us.
The Total Out of Burma Team
totaloutofburma[at]gmail.com
--------------------------------------------------------
1. Confirmed protests on Sat 24 Nov (updated 23 Nov)
--------------------------------------------------------
BRADFORD
Vigil against Total
5.00pm - 7.00pm
Centenary Square, Bradford
contact: Chris on 01274 727 034
BRIGHTON
Kemp Town Total station
Meet at the Pavillion Bus Stop at 11.30am
CARDIFF - Cathedral Road
Cathedral Road Total station, 34 Cathedral Rd, Cardiff CF11 9HA
11.00am - 1.00pm
contact: totaloutofburma[at]gmail.com
CARDIFF - Cardiff Bay
Cardiff Bay Total station, 235 Corporation Rd, Grangetown, Cardiff CF11 7AS
11.30am - 5.30pm
contact: totaloutofburma[at]gmail.com
GUERNSEY
Protests will be happening at Total stations across the island.
contact: Kev on burma[at]landofkev.com or 07911 770 017
LONDON - Baker Street
4.00pm - 6.00pm
Dorset House Total station, 170-172 Marylebone Rd, Westminster NW1 5AR
nearest tube: Baker Street
contact: totaloutofburma[at]gmail.com
(note: this is the final London protest of the day - all welcome)
LONDON - Camden
11.30am - 1.00pm
Camden Town Total station, 109-113 York Way, Islington N7 9QE
nearest tube: Caledonian Rd or Kentish Town
contact: Jonathan on jjjstevenson[at]fastmail.fm or 07818 651 124
LONDON - Chiswick
2.00pm - 4.00pm
West Four Total station,137 Chiswick High Road, Chiswick W4 2ED
nearest tube: Turnham Green
contact: totaloutofburma[at]gmail.com
LONDON - Hammersmith
11.00am - 2.00pm
Raven Total station, 372 Goldhawk Road, Hammersmith W6 0XF
nearest tube: Stamford Brook
contact: totaloutofburma[at]gmail.com
LONDON - Kensal Green
1.00pm - 3.00pm
Kensal Total station, 904 Harrow Rd, Kensal Green NW10 5JU
contact: Steph at fifth_state[at]yahoo.co.uk
LONDON - Kilburn
12.30pm - 1.45pm
Kilburn Total station, 409 Kilburn High Rd, Kilburn NW6 7QG
nearest tube: Kilburn
contact: Dan at dviesnik[at]yahoo.co.uk
LONDON - Manor Park
1.00pm - 3.00pm
Manor Park Total station, 893 Romford Rd, East Ham E12 5JT
nearest tube: East Ham or (rail) Manor Park
contact: Paul on paul[at]riseup.net or 07939 975 085
LONDON - Newham
10.30am - 12.30pm
High St North Total station, 409-419 High St North, Newham E12 6TL
nearest tube: East Ham
contact: Paul on paul[at]riseup.net or 07939 975 085
LONDON - Southwark
2.00pm - 4.00pm
Thomas Beckett Total station, 233-247 Old Kent Road, Southwark SE1 5LU
nearest tube: Elephant & Castle or Borough
contact: Danae on papakura2000[at]hotmail.com or 07731 956 415
LONDON - Whitechapel
10.00am - 12noon
Vallance Total station, 112 Vallance Rd, Tower Hamlets E1 5BW
nearest tube: Whitechapel
contact: Danae on papakura2000[at]hotmail.com or 07731 956 415
LONDON - Willesden
11.00am - 12.15pm
Willesden Lane Total station, 290 Willesden Lane, Willesden NW2 5HS
nearest tube: Willesden Green
contact: Dan at dviesnik[at]yahoo.co.uk
OXFORD
from 9.30am
Cowley Total station, 44 Garsington Road, Cowley, Oxford OX4 2LG
contact: Dennis at dhambridge[at]btinternet.com or 07804 433 602
ST ALBANS
meets outside Barclays Bank, St Peters Street at 11.00am
moving on to Total garage at 12noon.
contact: totaloutofburma[at]gmail.com
--------------------------------------------------------
2. Details of how to get involved
--------------------------------------------------------
There are two ways to take part in the day of action:
1. Join a garage protest (see list above). You can get in touch with the contact listed or you can just turn up on the day and offer your support.
2. Organise your own action - there are several hundred TOTAL petrol stations in the UK to choose from. Follow these three easy steps:
a. Find out where your local TOTAL garage is by using the handy Service Station Finder at http://www.total.co.uk or check the google map of UK TOTAL garages being created at http://tinyurl.com/2ftvdf.
b. Get some simple visual materials together, plus some leaflets or petitions, and publicise it to your friends, contacts and local press. If you want the details listed publicly (e.g. by email and on the blog) email them to totaloutofburma[at]gmail.com or call Paul on 07939 975 085.
c. Hold the protest! Take some pictures, post a report on Indymedia.org.uk and send the link to totaloutofburma[at]gmail.com. Plus write to TOTAL's head office telling them what you've been up to.
Basic placard designs, petitions, leaflets and a model press release are available via this blog (see right column).
Thursday, November 22, 2007
TOTAL ‘given the boot’ at Wembley
Two people held up a banner reading “TOTALitarian Oil Out of Burma NOW”; whilst another circled around the perimeter of the garage, holding up a large placard featuring a machine gun, reading “TOTALitarian Oil – fuelling the oppression in Burma”. Their protest aroused the curiosity of the throngs of England and Croatia football fans who had gathered near Wembley Park tube for their teams’ final Euro 2008 qualifier, as well as passing motorists. The demonstration passed off peacefully, lasting around 1 ½ hours. Police were in the area, but did not approach the protesters.
The weekly demo at TOTAL’s head office at 33 Cavendish Square, near Oxford Circus - ongoing for nearly two months now - also took place as usual that morning, with some of the protesters continuing on to the daily lunchtime demo outside the Burmese embassy in Mayfair, attended by around a dozen people, mostly Burmese.
The purpose of the demonstrations is to highlight French company TOTAL’s continued involvement with Burma’s oppressive military regime. This is opposed by the country’s democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, under house arrest for the past 12 years. The regime is thought to earn hundreds of millions of pounds annually from TOTAL, the fourth largest oil company in the world, due to its operation of the Yadana natural gas pipeline to Thailand. It is thought that France continues to block tough EU and UN sanctions against foreign investment in Burma under the military junta because of a desire to protect the interests of TOTAL.
One of the Wembley protesters commented: “I feel for the Buddhist monks and ordinary people of Burma. They have again peacefully risen up against their oppressors after over four decades in power; yet to date there seems to be little improvement, despite the immense courage they have shown. The world mustn’t forget their plight.
“Despite spurious arguments defending the position of companies like TOTAL and Chevron/Texaco, I personally find it unacceptable for foreign companies to continue to profit from this brutal regime so long as it continues to defy the will of its own people and the international community, which demand as a minimum basic human rights and respect for the democratic process.”
The regular Thursday evening demo at the Total garage near Baker St tube station will continue this week (5-7pm, Dorset House, corner of Marylebone Rd (north side) and Gloucester Place).
This weekend (Saturday 24th November) will see a National Day of Action against TOTAL, supported by Burma Campaign UK, with protests set to take place at TOTAL garages all around the UK.
See also:
Burma Campaign UK's info on Total Oil
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6833508763
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Picket at Wrexham garage
Wrexham Women for Peace and supporters held a demonstration at a local TOTAL petrol station in support of the people of Burma (Myanmar) this morning in advance of a national day of action against TOTAL next Saturday 24 November. Campaigners targeted the petrol station on the A483 Ruabon by-pass to draw attention to the links between French-owned TOTAL Oil and the Burmese military junta.
Banners were hung on nearby bridges, placards displayed on the roadside and leaflets handed out to motorists on the petrol station forecourt in a peaceful action designed to raise awareness of this issue and to encourage a boycott of TOTAL petrol stations until the company severs its links with Burma.
Burma's democratically-elected leader, Aung San Suu Kyi - who has been under detention or house arrest for the past 12 years - has said that TOTAL is the biggest supporter of the Burmese junta and should pull out of Burma immediately. There is also a call for TOTAL to give up its interest in the Yadana natural gas pipeline to Thailand, constructed using forced labour, which it operates in conjunction with another oil giant: Chevron-Texaco.
Less than two weeks ago, European pension funds withdrew over £100 million of investments in TOTAL following protests over the company's involvement in Burma.
( http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2007/nov/04/oilandpetrol.news)
A spokesperson for Wrexham Women for Peace said:
"Burma is a country rich in natural resources, yet its people are poor and hungry. Almost half of government spending goes on the military; very little is spent on health and welfare. There are more child soldiers in Burma than in any other country. Rape is used as a weapon of war. Many of Burma's political prisoners are tortured by the regime.
"Meanwhile, companies like TOTAL profit from links with this oppressive military dictatorship which has recently been guilty of violent suppression of peaceful actions by Buddhist monks and pro-democracy activists, and the military regime in turn profits from Total.
"We support the Burmese people in their peaceful struggle for self-determination and call for Total to pull out of Burma and end its support for the regime now."
The demonstration comes one week before a national day of action against Total's involvement in Burma on Saturday 24th November.
People can pledge their support for the campaign by signing a postcard to Total asking it to pull out of Burma. Visit this website:
http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/total.html
To contact Wrexham Women for Peace or to join in the national day of protest in the Wrexham area, email: wrexhamwomen[at]yahoo.co.uk.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Wrexham protest - Sat 17 Nov
There will be a peaceful action on Saturday morning 17 November near Wrexham in support of the Burmese people in advance of the "TOTAL Out of Burma" national day of action on 24 November, when it is hoped to do another.
If possible wear something red (no obligation) and bring your own placards, banners etc. although don't let it put you off going along. This action is being organised by Wrexham Women for Peace. Men and women are welcome.
Call Genny on 0845 330 4505 or email wrexhamwomen@yahoo.co.uk for more info.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Total garage in Manchester blockaded
From UK Indymedia - http://publish.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/11/385756.html
Max 13.11.2007 14:44
Yesterday, up to 20 human rights campaigners blockaded a TOTAL garage on Oxford Road, Manchester. This was in protest at Total Oil's investment in the military regime of Burma.
The activists, many of them students, blockaded the entrances to the petrol station successfully with the aid of 3 arm tubes. A large banner was displayed reading "Totally Out of Order - Fuelling oppression in Burma". Leaflets were given out resulting in a number of supporting comments from people walking past.
Police attended the protest but had made no attempt to remove those who were locked to each other with arm tubes by the time I left. There was also some mainstream media attention, notably from the Manchester Evening News.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Weekly Brighton Total demo
Reposted from Indymedia:
There is a weekly action outside the Total Garage in Kemp Town, Brighton as part of the Total out of Burma campaign. Come down and join us. 11.30 PAVILLION BUS STOP EVERY SATURDAY MORNING
Tux
Protests in London this week
Please join the weekly protests against Total Oil's involvement in Burma, at Cavendish Square and Marylebone Road in London. All welcome.
Wednesday 14 November
8.30am - 10.30am
Protest at Total Oil HQ, 33 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PW
Nearest tube: Oxford Circus. Map
Thursday 15 November
5.00pm - 7.00pm
Protest at Total petrol station, 170-172 Marylebone Rd, London NW1 5AR. Nearest tube: Baker Street. Map
Londoners join global Total protest - Wed 7 Nov
Wednesday's die-in outside Total Oil's London headquarters in Oxford Circus was part of a global day of action against Total called by the Burma Global Action Network.
It took place on the day Total's third quarter profits were announced, with net profits rising 29 per cent to £2.17 billion.
Demonstrators in Cavendish Square dressed in blood-soaked bandages and displaying a giant globe held placards reading: “Total out of Burma now" and "Free Burma".
They also unveiled some alternative 3rd Quarter Results for the company, detailed the impacts of its support for the Burmese regime. It comes ahead of a UK-wide day of action outside TOTAL forecourts on Saturday 24th November.
Friday, November 9, 2007
US oil workers call on Total, Chevron to withdraw
Delegates to the United Steelworkers (USW) national oil bargaining conference unanimously approved a resolution this week calling upon USW employers, CHEVRON and Total, to pull out of Burma and denounce the military dictatorship.
"It is unethical and immoral for CHEVRON and Total to continue doing business with the brutal military dictatorship that has run Burma for over 40 years," said USW International Vice President Gary Beevers.
The USW is the largest industrial union in North America and represents over 1.2 million workers and retirees. In the oil sector, the USW represents 30,000 workers in the U.S., Canada and Aruba. Full story
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Edinburgh students criticise Total link
From BBC News online:
Students have voted in favour of a motion calling on the University of Edinburgh to withdraw its investments in an oil company with links to Burma.See also the Ethical Investment Ediburgh blog
The university owns 16,640 shares in Total, which account for less than half of one per cent of its investment fund.
The motion was passed by 360 votes to three at the student AGM. They hope it will put pressure on the university to end its involvement with the firm.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Protests in London this week
This Wednesday Total Oil announce their third quarter financial results. Please join the weekly protests at Cavendish Square and Marylebone Road to help highlight Total's continued funding of the Burmese junta.
Wednesday 7 November, 8.30am-10.30am
Protest at Total Oil UK headquarters
33 Cavendish Square, London W1. See map.
Nearest tube: Oxford Circus
Thursday 8 November, 5.00pm - 7.00pm
Protest at Total petrol station
Dorset House, 170-172 Marylebone Rd, London NW1. See map.
Nearest tube: Baker Street
TOTAL Out of Burma Day of Action - Sat 24 Nov
On Saturday 24th November there will be a UK day of action against TOTAL oil. Petrol stations around the country will see protests calling for TOTAL to pull out of Burma and stop funding the Burmese junta.
There are two ways to get involved:
1) Organise your own demo: use the handy store finder at www.total.co.uk to find your local Total garage, make some leaflets and visual materials (or download them from the right), and go along on the day. For a map of TOTAL garages within the M25, see http://tinyurl.com/2ftvdf. Let us know when and where you're going to hold the protest and we'll add it to this site and other publicity.
2) Register your interest: email totaloutofburma@googlemail.com with your location and we'll let you know where your nearest garage protest is taking place. For Londoners, if you're able to commit to coming and don't mind where you go, let us know that too and we'll allocate you to a garage. The more people express an interest the more garages we can cover!
You can now also register your interest in the event and this campaign via Facebook:
Day of action event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=5910458217
Get TOTAL OIL out of Burma group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6833508763
Activists in attack on financiers' profits from Sudan and Burma
From the Observer:
"It seems a new phase of campaigner activism is making headway. Two weeks ago, European pension funds withdrew almost £110m in investments from French oil company Total in a matter of days in protest at the company's involvement in Burma. The boycott is being led by pension funds in Denmark, which acted after Danish foreign affairs minister Per Stig Moller called for European Union sanctions on investment into the country." Full article
Waltham Forest Council ‘invests in junta’
BURMA'S repressive military regime is being supported by Waltham Forest Council, according to campaigners.
Information obtained by the Green Party shows that in the past three months the council has invested an undisclosed portion of its employees' pension fund, which has net assets worth £496m, into oil company Total, Europe's biggest investor in Burma. Full Story
Friday, November 2, 2007
London protest shackles Total station
During Thursday rush-hour a dozen protestors caused a 24-hour Total petrol station in central London to close.
The peaceful protest, at the Marylebone Road petrol station, consisted of banners, placards, leaflets and a petition. One protestor wore shackles to signify the oppression of the Burmese people. Within 10 minutes of the protest beginning staff closed the station, blocking off the forecourt and switching off the lights. Even the accompanying shop was shut. The police were called and protestors were instructed to remain off the forecourt or risk arrest.
After an hour the station re-opened. The protest continued for a further hour. Report and pics on Indymedia
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Burma junta's exports lose sparkle
From the Financial Times:
The oil giants Total and Chevron have rejected calls to divest their business interests in Burma. However, other western businesses have been re-evaluating their links with the regime. Jewellery firms Cartier and Bulgari are to boycott gems from Burma, and Jewelers of America, which represents US retail chains, has called on Congress to close a loophole in a US ban that allows Burmese gemstones to enter through third countries. Rolls Royce has stopped servicing aero engines for Burma's state carrier, causing it to suspend flights. Full story
Protest targets Oxford petrol station
From the Oxford Mail:
Human rights campaigners in Oxford are targeting a city petrol station in their fight to raise awareness of oppression in Burma.
Protesters gathered outside the Total petrol station in Garsington Road, to publicise links between the French company and Burma's military regime.
Campaigners were out in action on Saturday and handed out flyers to passers-by.
Jane Alexander, a carer from Headington, said: "Total is the fourth largest oil company in the world and one of the biggest foreign investors in Burma, so it's a logical target." Full story
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Total HQ and petrol station targeted again in London
Protesters again picketed Total's London HQ in Cavendish Square on the morning of Wednesday 24th October. The date marked the 12th anniversary of Aung San Suu Kyi's detention. One activist lay in a bodybag for over an hour, attracting the attention of passers by.
Several of the protesters subsequently joined the quite large demonstrations that afternoon outside the Chinese and Burmese embassies, and a vigil in Parliament Square.
On Thursday evening, the protesters returned to the Total garage near Baker St station, where they had the previous week managed to get the 24-hour station temporarily shut down.
There will be another action at Total's HQ on Wednesday 31st October, 8.30am - 10.30am, outside 33 Cavendish square (Oxford Circus tube), which is between Starbucks and the Royal Bank of Scotland, very near the back of John Lewis. There may also be an additional action next week.
3rd Total demo and blockade in Cardiff
20.10.2007 23:32
Cardiff activists demonstrated for the third saturday in a row, outside a busy Total petrol station on the city's Cathedral Road.
A Total petrol station in Cardiff was once again the target for activists demonstrating against the oil company's business activities with the Burmese military junta. Initially demonstrators picketed the station for about an hour, successfully persuading a number of potential customers to turn away. When further people arrived at the demo and there was around 20 of us, the forecourt's entrance and exit were blockaded for a time, and no cars could fill up. We lost count of the number of car horns that honked in support of the action. A couple of annoyed customers became a little aggressive, threatening to run over one stubborn blockader, but the reaction was generally positive.
Reposted from:
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/10/384154.html
Friday, October 26, 2007
Danes pull out of Burma oil stocks
From Global Pensions:
DENMARK - A Danish pension fund has announced it has acted to divest its DKK65m (US$12m) holding in oil companies working in Burma.
PKA which manages DKK114bn (US$21.5bn) for eight pension funds, said the board had taken this decision due to political sentiment in the country.
A PKA spokesman told Global Pensions: “Following a statement from Per Stig Møller, the minister for foreign affairs, that he would have preferred sanctions on Myanmar Oil and Gas to be put in place, we felt unable to retain our shares in companies working there.”
ATP, the Danish labour market pension fund, announced yesterday it would sell its stakes in Total and other oil companies working in the politically troubled state.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Trade unions call for Total boycott
The Associated Press
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
BRUSSELS, Belgium: Trade unionists called Tuesday for workers across the world to boycott companies that do business with Myanmar's repressive military regime, singling out French oil company Total SA.
Guy Ryder, secretary general of the International Trade Union Confederation, said he wanted to keep up the pressure on corporations that help prop up the Myanmar regime.
He drew a parallel with trade union boycotts of South African goods to force changes to the apartheid system of racial segregation.
"Our intent and our ambition is indeed to mobilize trade unions nationally and public opinion to bring that type of pressure to bear," he told reporters. "The parallels with what we did in the apartheid era are rather persuasive." Full story
Edinburgh Uni criticised for Burma link
The Scotsman
Tuesday 23 October 2007
STUDENTS have accused Edinburgh University of turning its back on ethical investment by supporting a French oil company with extensive links to the military dictatorship in Burma.
The Scotsman has learned that the university owns 16,640 shares, worth £647,219 in French oil company Total, which Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has described as: "the main supporter of the Burmese military regime." Full story
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Oxford demo planned for Sat 27th
Oxford Burma Solidarity will be having a demo/picket of the Total garage on Saturday 27th October to reduce their sales and promote the boycott.
That’s 2pm-4pm, 44-48 Garsington Rd (go up Cowley Road as far as Oxford Business Park, near the ring road. Take the no5 bus if you want). The Total garage is here.
Bring large readable banners and placards!
From Oxford Free Burma Society.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Councillor leads protest in Lewsiham
20 protestors, led by local Green Party councillor Sue Luxton, converged on the Total petrol station near Catford on Saturday morning. They were raising awareness of Lewisham Council's investment in Total Oil and calling for Total Oil to pull out of Burma.
Councillor Luxton recently discovered that Lewsiham Council has nearly £4m invested in Total Oil, and £12m overall in companies that do business with the Burmese military junta. Cllr Luxton called for the protest in order to draw attention to her findings and to encourage Lewisham Council to invest ethically.
In a press release Cllr Luxton said, “Anyone who has seen or read about the brutal oppression that has taken place in Burma will be horrified to hear that Lewisham Council has so much money invested in companies who do business with the Burmese military junta. It makes a complete mockery of the council’s so-called socially responsible investment policy.”
The protest, at the Total Oil station on Whitefoot Lane, Catford SE6, was covered by local press and received favourable support from passing motorists.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Minding their own business
Why the French are so keen to stay in Burma despite unrest
Evening Standard, 19.10.07
A Burma Campaign UK spokesman says: "When the world saw the violence against the monks and the people of Burma, it should realise this: Total helped pay for those guns and bullets."
Total's argument is simple. Spokesman Jean-François Lassalle says: "Why are we in difficult countries like Burma, Western Sahara, Sudan? Because it is our objective to find oil or gas. Oil and gas are not only found in countries with democratic regimes run on the European model.
"Who is to decide whether these regimes are unsavoury or acceptable? We are not a political entity, we are not the UN, or a government. We are a company. It is not for us to qualify which regime is acceptable, nor is it for the NGOs either. It is for the UN, the EU or France. If they force us, we immediately comply."
The Burma Campaign claims Total's influence over the French government has prevented any meaningful sanctions against the Junta from the EU - a charge Total denies. Full article
Thursday, October 18, 2007
"24 hour" Total station shuts due to protest
During the Thursday evening rush hour, the 24-hour Total petrol station on Marylebone Road in London shut down due to the presence of protestors calling for Total to pull out of Burma.
Fifteen protestors began their peaceful protest at 5.00pm with banners and leaflets. Several campaigners talked to motorists who drove in to buy petrol. Many motorists were supportive and vowed not to buy Total again. However Total complained to the police (after about an hour and a half) and the campaigners were asked to leave the forecourt. Shortly afterwards the station was shut down completely. Employees moved cones and bins to block vehicular access to the station and the lights were switched off, including the 24-hour sign! The station remained closed until the protest finished.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Body bag turns up at Total Oil HQ
On Wednesday morning a dozen campaigners converged on Total Oil's headquarters in London for the third consecutive week. At the entrance to the building, workers and commuters were confronted with a "dead" body in a body bag, along with banners, placards and leaflets.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Burma activists 'lock on' to Total
Three direct activists have today shut down a busy Total filling station in solidarity with the people of Burma's nonviolent struggle for democracy.
Under a banner saying “May all beings be happy – Free Burma ” the activists have locked themselves together and begun to meditate, locking together the hoses, turning off the power and blocking the entrance to the premises. Report and pics
Lewisham Council has Burmese blood on its hands
Sue Luxton, a Green Party councillor, has uncovered nearly £12m invested by Lewisham Council in companies named on the Burma Campaign's 'dirty list', including Total Oil. It includes £11,697,000 in the pension fund plus £171,000 in procurement activity last year.
At 11am on Saturday 20th October she is holding a press call with members of the Burma UK Campaign outside the TOTAL Petrol Station on Whitefoot Lane, Catford, SE6 1TP.
Investments Lewisham Council's Pension Fund holds of those companies named on the Burma Campaign list as at 30th September 2007:
- Chevron, £2,448,000
- China Petroleum, £830,000
- Mitsui OSK, £2,708,000
- PTT, £493,000
- Sumitomo Mitsui, £1,348,000
- Total Oil, £3,870,000
TOTAL: £11,697,000
Procurement activity the Council has undertaken with companies named on the Burma Campaign list in 2006/07 (£'000s):
- Maersk, £12,000
- Siemens, £122,000
- SGS, £5,000
- Total, £32,000
TOTAL: £171,000
GRAND TOTAL = £11,868,000
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Cardiff Total blockade 13th oct
Approx 20 people turned up and successively blocked entrances to garage. this lasted for 2 hours many drivers supported our actions and were happy to turn back. Report and pics
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Third London die-in this week
Total offices in central London were again targeted this morning. The protest was the third in the last week, and the start of a weekly picket seeking to put pressure on Total to immediately divest from Burma. Demonstrators chalked around the bodies of those dying-in and wrote 'Total out of Burma Now' and 'Funders of the brutual regime this way' on the pavement. Report and pics
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Cardiff Total closed
Around 30 people marched from the centre of Cardiff to the Total garage, at the weekend, where more protesters had already gathered. They blocked the entrance and exit routes to the garage, shutting it down. The garage remained closed by the action for three hours. There were no arrests.
The level of public support for the action was amazing, and car horns were beeping their support almost constantly. Even the motorists that turned up to use the garage were (on the whole) supportive, and happily drove off to find somewhere else to fill up. Report and pictures
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Freedom for Burma Oxford: meeting Saturday
Kevin Nolan writes:
There's been plenty of warm vibes about having a meeting to set up a group and decide on new demonstrations [in Oxford]. So here it is!
When: Saturday 13th, 12 noon
Where: The OARC - Upstairs in the East Oxford Community Centre:
Princes St, Oxford, OX4 1HU Map
www.theoarc.org.uk
If people are up for it, the first demonstration could take place immediately afterwards: Outside Total again or in the city center. Or we can leave it until another time. That's for the meeting to decide :)
Please tell anyone else you think may be interested - the more popular the group becomes, the more benefit we can be to the freedom struggle in Burma.
Demonstration in St Albans
Total Fuels Burma.... Noon Saturday 6th October outside Total Petrol Station, St Albans, Herts. Cllr Roma Mills and Ex-MP Kerry Pollard. We handed out leaflets to motorists (most suddenly decided that Sainsburys might have less blood on thier hands!) and signed petitions. Report
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Total Totally Blockaded in Oxford
Protesters peacefully blockaded a Total petrol station in Oxford today, in support of the democracy movement in Burma. They were there for two hours and seriously disrupted Total's business for the day. Full story
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Total Oil's London offices targeted this morning
The London offices of Europe’s greatest financial backer of the Burmese junta, Total Oil, were targeted early this morning by activists protesting the company’s role in propping up the repressive military regime in Burma.
Activists decided to take this matter to Total’s London offices, showing up early this morning to talk to office workers as they made their way into work, and to inform others working in the building what their neighbours are really up to. A banner reading ‘TOTALitarianOil Out of Burma Now’ was unfurled, leaflets from the Burma Campaign handed out, while three activists staged a die-in in the lobby of the building.
Full Indymedia report and pictures
Anti-Total protest in Oxford
Activists staged a protest at Total petrol station on Oxford Road in Oxford on Saturday. The large banner sent out a clear message about Total Oil’s support of the Burmese junta to lots of motorists on the busy Saturday afternoon. Many indicated to turn in before changing their minds. Those who chose to refill their tanks were handed leaflets and given a lecture on the situation in Burma and Total’s decision to exploit it. Indymedia report
Monday, October 1, 2007
Nottinghamshire call-out
From Indymedia UK:
TOTAL Oil is the fourth largest oil company in the world and one of the biggest foreign investors in Burma. Its joint venture with Burma’s dictatorship earns the military regime hundreds of millions of dollars every year.Read more
Widespread systematic human rights abuses have been associated with the TOTAL pipeline, including forced labour, torture and rape. In addition, tougher European Union sanctions against Burma have been blocked by the French government in its effort to protect TOTAL’s interests in the country.
Just so you know where to avoid the local Total filling stations
French union calls for Total transfer freeze
The Independent, 29 September 2007:
The left-wing French trades union federation, the Confédération Génerale du Traval (CGT) has called on Total to "halt all extraction of gas and freeze all transfers" to the Burmese regime "so long as human rights are being abused".Full article
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Bristol call-out
From Bristol Indymedia:
Support democracy, don't go to TotalRead more
The oil company Total is heavily invested in Burma and so is supporting the dictatorship. The Burma campaign has asked them to stop - and they have not. So we need to stop using them.
Burma Solidarity Protest in Bradford
Around 25 protesters blockaded a Total petrol station in Bradford on Thursday in solidarity with the Burmese people.
Later in the day, students at the University of Bradford passed an emergency motion to mandate the Student Union to support the Burmese monks and investigate alternative suppliers since they currently use Total for fueling their minibuses.
Full story
Dutch parties call for Total boycott over Burma
International Herald and Tribune, 28 September 2007:
Four left-leaning Dutch parties, including the largest, called for a boycott of gas stations owned by France's Total SA on Friday due to the company's investments in Myanmar.Full article
"It's a call for the Dutch people to show what they think of this company, which does not have clean hands," said Martijn van Dam, a member of parliament for the Dutch Labor Party, the junior partner in the Netherlands' centrist governing coalition. He said he did not know how many people would participate in the boycott.
Friday, September 28, 2007
TOTALitarian OIL
This blog has been created to bring together news about TOTAL oil and Burma. More soon.