Day Of Action Against Zeneca

Zeneca Pharmeceuticals are the largest British company involved in genetic engineering, and therefore provide a wealth of opportunirties for action in this country. To kick off a campaign against them, two simultaneous actions took place in the South-West on the 23rd November.

At Avonmouth, near Bristol, a Zeneca plant was blockaded for 3 hours by 40 people. Activists locked on to 2 articulated lorries with d-locks at the main gates of the plants, causing a mile long tailback. Three other people climbed a 150ft tower to hang a banner, while Tragic Roundabout entertained the rest.

Avon police turned up but then went away again when they were told that the action was just over the Gloucestershire border and therefore outside their juristiction. Seems the 'county line' doesn't just work in cowboy films! When Gloucestershire police turned up, they didn't seem to be in too much of a rush to remove activists. Eventually they produced hydraulic boltcroppers and gave those locked on a choice of removing themselves or being cut off and then being nicked. Everyone opted for freedom rather than an extra 5 minutes locked on and a wasted d-lock.

Meanwhile, in Brixham, South Devon, another Zeneca plant was targeted. The intended office occupation was foiled as there was a large police presence when everyone arrived. However 2 people did manage to get onto the roof of the building. One was arrested for criminal damage as the plastic drainpipe she was climbing came away from the wall.

As the plant was on a sea-cliff, that was the obvious place for a banner proclaiming Zeneca's misdeeds. Activists abseiled down the 200 foot face and attached the banner to the cliff with climbing wedges. At the end of the action, they decided to leave it there for a while, figuring that Zeneca wouldn't be able to find anyone crazy enough to go and retrieve it!