Just over a year ago, in June 1997 - the judge - after three years in court gave his verdict. It was a victory for the campaigners as the judge slammed McDonalds core business practices. Evidence in the trial backed up all the criticisms made of the comp[any in the London Greenpeace factsheet "What's wrong with McDonalds" which Helen and Dave were in court to defend.
The judge found as a fact that McDonalds 'exploit children', that they are 'culpably responsible' for cruelty to animals and that the company is anti-union and pays such low wages that it helps to depress the already low wages in the industry further. The judge also found that McDonalds food is not nutritious and that they are therefore deceiving the public when they promote it as such, and that they are risking the health of their long term customers.
The defendants are now appealing in the British courts against part of the judges verdict which went against them and over some of the disturbing legal aspects of the case. They will also challenge the UK libel laws in Europe.
To find out more there is an excellent video "McLibel - two worlds collide" available as well as the book "Burger Culture on Trial". Both are available to loan from the Autonomous Centre(see contacts) Alternatively the video can be ordered from 'One Off productions, BCM Oops, London WC1N 3XX (0171) 247 8881, for £12.99 waged or £9.99 unwaged plus £2 p&p, and the book is available from the McLibel Support Campaign, 5 Caledonian Road, London N1 9DX (0171) 713 1269, for £4 plus £1 p&p.