EFAU 54 - December 1998Back to list of articles in this issue

Shell Actions Across The Country

The 10th of November was world anti-Shell day and as usual it saw actions on Shell stations and the like around the world. Shell is targeted for its well known ecological abuses across the globe and especially for its continued dealings with the Nigerian military state, a state which is responsible for the deaths of over 2000 Ogoni people since 1993 and for the continued oppression and exploitation of this people and their land. Oil is Nigeria's biggest export by far and Shell must be brought to account for its continued propping up of the Nigerian regime.

In the words of Oronto Douglas, founder of the CHICOCO movement in the Niger Delta 'The multinationals, in collaboration with the military, have waged a vicious and relentless ecological war on our land'.

The 10th of November is the date of the execution of nine Ogoni activists in 1995 and has become the focus for anti-Shell activities. The EF!AU was informed of the following U.K actions:

Jarrow , South Tyneside. The 'giant' Shell depot was blocked off for 2 hours when activists chained its gates shut. No arrests.
Nottingham. Around 40 activists blockaded a service station. The electricity for the pumps was switched, and locked, off. The station was completely closed for most of the day. No arrests despite the presence of 3 police vehicles and a helicopter.
Norwich. A scaffold pole tripod was erected to blockade a distribution depot. Two stations were also picketed. No arrests.
Leeds. A station forecourt was occupied for the whole day by about 40 activists bringing trade to a virtual stop. No arrests.
Brighton. 25 people blockaded a service station, wrapped the pumps in sellotape, padlocked the off switch on the service station wall and were amused when police were still puzzling how to turn them on again an hour after everyone had left!
Manchester. A service station was closed off for the morning and its forecourt decorated with fake blood. 8 vans of police turned up and arrested one person who was later released without charge.