GAP Actions

Aberdeen

Protesting Gap’s use of sweatshop labour in advance of a store opening in Aberdeen, Grampian EF! held a very successful action in the city centre on March 10th in front of what will be the store. Wielding placards urging the public to boycott the company’s products, protesters distributed 800 leaflets to shoppers with favourable response, collecting also signatures on a petition. Further protests are planned to coincide with the store opening in July.

Contact Grampian EF! PO box 248, Aberdeen, AB25 1JE,
grampianearthfirst@hotmail.com

Nottingham

There was an occupation/demo at GAP in Nottingham on 30th March. The police turned up, no arrests, lots of leaflets given out and GAP were forced to lock one of their doors to keep people out! More may be planned.

Contact Notts EF! 0845 458 9595.

Sheffield

On March 2nd a new GAP store opened in Sheffield. People performed street theatre commemorating the felling of ancient Redwood forests by the Fisher family, founders and owners of GAP. Others held banners saying ‘GAP sucks’ and ‘sweatshops’. An info stall was set up with a big banner that read ‘Greed And Poverty’. Around 1000 leaflets were handed out to customers, some of whom turned away without even entering the store.

The next day a local street band performed while around 100 people chanted and waved banners. The main body of protesters marched round then headed for the entrance. GAP’s security shut the doors and the crowd started a sit down protest on the road. At least four people were arrested in the ensuing clash. Protesters marched to the police station in solidarity with those arrested, before returning to the store for a final burst of chanting and drumming.

Contact nosweatsheff@yahoo.co.uk or sheffieldmayday@disinfo.net

Birmingham

On March 17th the fashion police arrived at the Gap store in Birmingham to read the riot act over the company’s use of sweatshop labour. Once the formalities were over the sound system was unleashed and activists blockaded the store for 20 minutes effectively shutting it down. With over 90 people in attendance, many of them on their 1st action, the afternoon was an exciting and empowering experience for everyone involved.

After the action the S26 collective held an open planning meeting for Birmingham MayDay which reinforced the group’s optimism that things in Birmingham are on the up.

Contact S26 collective, 07980 415577, PO Box 9417, Birmingham, B13 9WA, s26brum@hotmail.com,