SECURITY
World Hunger Day

The World Hunger Day this year is on Saturday 16th October. Historically on this day there have been minor anti McDonald's demonstrations outside some restaurants, which has involved handing out leaflets. There may be some added interest this year with the "Super Size Me" exposure and the recent European Court appeal by Helen Steel and David Morris, the "McLibel" duo. However, there is no reason to suspect that this year will be any less peaceful than previous years.

A document has been prepared by the Security and the Corporate Affairs Department and is provided for your assistance should your restaurant be the subject to a demonstration. Please click here to access the document or visit Issue 13 of the Operations Update. In addition, I suggest a couple of further actions to be taken in preparation for the 16th.

1. Schedule experienced managers and experienced dining area staff on Saturday 16th.
2. Notify your local police station of the significance of the date and the possibility that there ‘may be’ a demonstration outside your restaurant. Also request that they keep casual attention to the area around your restaurant (You need to inform them because from the police perspective this day does not fit into a very high priority for them).

Any questions: Please contact your regional Security representative

Demonstrations – Security Guidelines

If at any time any form of demonstration occurs outside your restaurant, the following procedures are a guideline:

• Restaurant managers should remain calm and conduct business routinely, taking extra effort to keep the customers and employees calm.
• The manager should quickly assess the scope of the situation and call the local police, a member of the Regional Security Department, your immediate Operations hierarchy and the Communications Department to inform them of the activity.
• The shift manager should continue to monitor activity from inside the restaurant, and try to diffuse the situation, rather than be confrontational.
• Individuals are permitted to demonstrate in front of a McDonald's restaurant in a peaceful, orderly manner, provided they stay on public property.
• Demonstrators should not be allowed to block any access to the restaurant or interfere with customers' movements in and out of the restaurant in any way. It is important that the safety and convenience of our customers comes first.
• Only if it is absolutely necessary, politely inform the demonstrators that they must confine their activities to the public property around the restaurant. At no time is anyone to demonstrate inside the restaurant or block any entrance or exit.
• Questions from customers should only be answered by managers. Questions from the media should be directed to the restaurant manager who should refer them to the Communications Department (see following details)
• One member of the management team should continue to monitor the situation until the demonstration ends. • Have the relevant McDonald's information leaflets on hand.

The Security Department provides a 24-hour service

Outside office hours

• follow the same procedures above
• when the menu commences press 4
• ask the call centre to contact the on call security manager at the weekends or at other times respective Regional Security Manager

2 Media

Activist groups often inform the media of their planned demonstration. If media is present at the demonstration or calls, only the restaurant manager or shift manager should deal with them as follows.

• Be polite and stay calm.
• If the media would like information about the demonstration from McDonald's, the manager should offer to take a journalist's name and telephone number and advise them that the Communications Department will contact them as soon as possible.
• If the media is present at the restaurant and wants more information, they should be offered refreshments and seated in the dining area. Make sure a member of the management team monitors their activity and ensures they do not disturb customers or employees. Contact the Communications Department for assistance, or during office hours you may contact your Regional Communications Officer.
• The media can only film activities or talk to demonstrators from the public areas around the restaurant (not inside a restaurant or on the property). p Media should not be allowed without permission to: • Interview customers in the restaurant or on our property (customers should be allowed to enjoy their visit and not be disturbed).
• Interview members of the management team or employees.
• Film inside the restaurant or set up to film on McDonald's property.
• In any way hinder the flow of customers or cause a disturbance in the dining area or on the premises that may result in confusion that could endanger our customers and/or the demonstrators.

The Communications Department offers a 24 hour media alert service

Outside office hours
• follow the same procedures above
• ask the call centre to contact the Duty Press Officer.  
 
 
 
contact details 
 
McLibel Support Campaign
5 Caledonian Road, London, N1 9DX, UK.
Tel/Fax: +44 (207) 713 1269
E-mail: mclibel@globalnet.co.uk
Web: http://www.mcspotlight.org 
 
 
 
related links  
 
- press releases & statements
- press cuttings: McDonald's
- press cuttings: McLibel
- press cuttings: Campaigns
- press cuttings: McLibel film
- press cuttings: related stuff
- The McLibel Trial
- witnesses statements, transcripts, evidence