what's new? 1997-1999 See also: 1996, 2000 - 2003 and 2004 and on   8 November 1999: Anti-McDonald's Campaign News Update The 15th annual Worldwide Anti- McDonald's Day was on Saturday October 16th - a protest against the promotion of junk food, the unethical targeting of children, exploitation of workers, animal cruelty, damage to the environment and the global domination of corporations over our lives.  19 October 1999: Campaign Successes, Harrow A Brief History leading to the Council's decision to turn down McDonalds application for a drive through at Shaftesbury Circle, Harrow, Middlesex, W. London  18 October 1999: The Tamworth Nine (Or how runaway cows are following in Butch and Sundance's trottersteps Daily Mail, UK 10 October 1999: Ronald McDonald Supports PETA Letter in the New Mexico Alibi from Geoffrey Juliano, the original Ronald McDonald 10 October 1999: McDonald's Children's Ads Ban Bid - You Can Help Support the Campaign to get McDonald's Exploitative Advertising to Children Banned by the Independent Television Commission (including standard letter to the ITC) 2 October 1999: 'Ronald McDonald' and Children The Truth In McDonald's Own Words - McLibel Support Campaign Statement  2 October 1999: 25 Years of McGarbage Protesters turn out to mark the 25th anniversary of the opening of McDonalds' first store in Woolwich, SE London. 26 September 1999: McLibel documentary takes Australia by storm A four-week tour downunder has turned into a media frenzy as 'McLibel' director Franny Armstrong launches the film's first proper cinema releases (in Sydney and Melbourne) and turns up on every chat show going. The tabloids give the film a record four stars and the broadsheets call it "an often hilarious exposé of big-business arrogance".  17 September 1999: Anti-McDonald's Day - October 16th It's that time of year again folks: The 15th annual Worldwide Anti-McDonald's Day is approaching on Saturday October 16th.  16 September 1999: PETA US/UK Ad Bans Controversy Peta's ads targetting Ronald McDonald as 'America's #1 Serial Killer were planned for display in the UK in November. However, the UK advertising industry has caused controversy by banning them, even before they were submitted.  6 September 1999: PETA launches Anti-McDonald's campaign Following the 1997 McLibel High Court verdict, in which the Judge ruled that McDonald's are 'culpably responsible' for cruelty to animals, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) have spent two years in talks with the company. Last month negotiations finally broke down when it became clear that McD's were interested solely in public relations, not changing their cruel practices. PETA have responded by launching a high-profile campaign featuring billboard ads, posters, bumper stickers, t-shirts and a call to action from the public. 10 August 1999: Fast-Food Nation: The True Cost of America's Diet An epic, must-read article from Rolling Stone examining the dark underbelly of the fast food industry, by award-winning journalist Eric Schlosser. 2 July 1999: McDonald's Activists Seek Appeal Associated Press, London 1 July 1999: McLibel Duo Petition House of Lords The McLibel defendants lodged a 43 point Petition and 1,200 pages of supporting documentation at the Houses of Parliament today ... 23 June 1999: McDonald's in Russia clashes with union-hungry workers MOSCOW (AP) -- Natalya Gracheva is giving McDonald's heartburn 18 June 1999: Day of protest & party in financial centres across the globe On Friday 18th of June thousands of people will come to party and protest in dozens of financial centres around the world. Take the day off and join in this global day of action against capitalism. See also: Ronald In The City Also: McLibel Supporters Letter and What can be learned from McLibel? 10 June 1999: McDonald's UK Fined £10,000 Over Sewage-in-Kitchen Incident From the London METRO Daily 19 May 1999: But What About the (chocolate) Flake? Re: McDonald's and Alleged Unfair Dismissal 22nd April 1999: Walthamstow Planning Permission Decision on 5th May Please come to show your opposition to the proposed McDonald's Drive-Thru in the Station Car Park 19th April 1999: DIY Justice - Some Thoughts by Dave Morris, McLibel Defendant 19th April 1999: McDonald's and Schools Inviting the McWolf into the Fold by Dave Morris, McLibel Defendant 14th April 1999: Anti-McDonald's Happening Planned in Finland 31st March 1999: Activists Win Some Vs. McDonald's Associated Press, 31st March 1999 26th March 1999: More Biotic Baking Brigade Antics Gay Nuns "Cream" Homophobic Reverend, Minnesota Governor Gets Dessert Upside the Head, BBB 'Entartes' Mad Scientist in New England, Corporate-Friendly Enviro Pied at Conference, Caveat Pie: Creamophobia in San Francisco, Animal Abuser Exec Receives A Tart Treat 25th March 1999: "McBurger Off!" Campaign Update Two Year Anniversary Celebration Set for April 29th 25th March 1999: McLibel, By Senator Andrew Bartlett Australian Democrats spokesperson on the environment and animal welfare 23rd March 1999: Hinchley Wood, Surrey, UK Residents Celebrate 100 Days in Occupation of Proposed McDonald's Site 22nd March: Polski McSpotlight Launched (includes information about tobacco companies). 3rd March: David Briars: An Obituary From His Family 24th February 1999: Biotic Baking Brigade Outrage As 3 Cherry Pie San Francisco Activists Jailed 19th February 1999: Appeal Update Diary of the Week: Three 18th February 1999: Merseyside Opposition to McDonald's Parents Fight Proposed McD's Opposite Primary School 17th February 1999: Fixed McTour of McDonalds.Com It's only taken a year and a half to slap back into shape but hey we're 3 years old today!! Why not wish McSpotlight a Happy Birthday!! 1st February 1999: Appeal Update Diary of Weeks 1 & 2 as well as the Summary of Appeal Points. Keep up to date with court proceedings with these reports straight from the courtroom 15th January 1999: Live Debate Two-hour live internet debate on McSpotlight: Dave Morris, McLibel defendant, as well as other guests including the maker of the 'McLibel' documentary, McSpotlight volunteers and Vegies took part in a two-hour live internet debate on McSpotlight. 12th January 1999: Appeal Documents Press release and Notice of Appeal. McLibel sets out its stall 10th January 1999: Fries, damned fries ... Hold on a minute ... By Nick Cohen in the The Observer (UK) 14th December 1998: Proposed New McDonald's Site Occupied in Surrey 2500 Local Residents Say NO To McDonald's! 8th December 1998: Former worker's web site leads to a lawsuit - first case of its kind From the Financial Post 16th October 1998: Essential events: World Anti-McDonald's Day From the Big Issue, 12-18th October 1998 12th October 1998: Imagine. 18 June 1999 A proposal for a day of carnival, protest and action in financial centres across the globe on 18th June 1999. From London Greenpeace and others. 12th and 16th October 1998: Worldwide Protests Against McDonalds Reports from activists around the world. 9th October 1998: Inviting the McWolf into the fold McLibel defendant Dave Morris examines the recent move allowing Big Business into schools. 8th October 1998: Writing On The Wall For UK Libel Laws? Letter to the Guardian from Dave Morris, McLibel Defendant 17th September 1998: McLibel 2 Sue Met Police Commissioner Press release from the McLibel Support Campaign 12th September 1998: McExploitation of Kids with McToys in Hong Kong Legislators Warn On Burger Drive, The South China Morning Post 11st September 1998: McDonald's free celebration, Australia Catalyst presents a collide-o-scopic evening of festivities marking the non-arrival of McDonald's in their town. McLibel documentary, food, music, internet. Thurs 8th Oct. Enmore, Australia. 22nd August 1998: Historic First Ever Union Victory for Workers McDonald's Certifies: Vancouver, Canada 18th August 1998: McLibel Mailing List to Change Hands McLibel Support Campaign press release. 29th July 1998: The Suppression Of The Two McLibel Films Media Suppression of the Channel 4 'McLibel' Dramatisation and the 'McLibel' Documentary - the role of the media, and why the films must be widely shown 29th July 1998: McLibel Pre-Appeal Controversies Update from the McLibel Support Campaign following the hearing on 27th July 1998 28th July 1998: McLibel case now a McPaper war LONDON - Call it McLibel, part two. From the Waikato Times, NZ 27th July 1998: McLibel Back In Court - Appeal Controvery Legal Aid refused - Huge Costs May Lead To Historic Appeal Being Struck Out - Liberty Backs Appeal 22nd July 1998: Mass Protests in Turkey Against New McDonald's Store MCDONALD'S WILL BE THROWN OUT OF METU (Middle East Technical University) 21st July 1998: UK Civil Liberty Group: Support For McLibel Appeal On 21st July 1998 Liberty Announced Their Support For The McLibel Appeal 15th July 1998: McDonald's Enlightens Employees About Unions 4th July 1998: The McAppeal Legal Issues Here is information about the coming Appeal ... 3rd July 1998: McLibel Appeal Controversy The McLibel saga continues... 30th June 1998: McLibel Appeal Preliminary Hearing Postponed 26 June 1998: McWorld Cup, Saturday, 11th July 1998 19th June 1998: McLibel 2 Bury Suppressed Documentary Time Capsule 19th June 1998: Letter to Guardian - McLibel Film from McLibel Defendants Dave Morris and Helen Steel 19th June 1998: Why won't British TV show a film about McLibel? Is it really so dangerous? Or are broadcasters cowards? 19th/20th June 1998: McLibel Anniversary Days Of Action One Year After The Verdict, and the Two Worlds Continue To Collide... 18th June 1998: McHeadquarters Layoffs! 15 June 1998: Banned McLibel documentary fights back 12 June 1998: Reclaiming Our Lives And Our World from London Greenpeace - how can people make it happen? Some notes and thoughts on what is possible.... 3rd June 1998: Bermuda Succeeds In Outlawing McDonald's! 16th May 1998: McDonald's Video Game & Virgin Cola (Richard Branson) 2nd May 1998: Massive mobilisation in India against the World Trade Organisation 28th April 1998: Comments on McVeggie Burger ... McDonald's Strategy and Food Quality 23rd April 1998: McDonald's ordered to use non disposable crockery, utensils etc., in Australia. 18th April 1998: McDonald's strike in Macedonia Ohio USA (including "The Ballad of Macedon-i-o" by Deborah Van Kleef). 18th April 1998: What's Wrong With The Body Shop FAQ 16th April 1998: Body Shop PR Strategey Spreads...To McDonald's by Kat Burke 16th April 1998: Did Somebody Say SHUT DOWN McDonalds? Student activists battle corporate giants for rights to speak freely on campus 14th April 1998: NUS Withdraws From McDonald's 'Privilege Card' Scheme Motion passed at NUS Conference condemning McDonald's for its exploitative practices 5th April 1998: Spring Mailing (1) - Supporter's Letter - Spring 1998 5th April 1998: Spring Mailing (2) - CD and Book - Ordering details from UK 30th March 1998: Gandalf Three Freed on Bail!!The Gandalf Three were unexpectedly released on bail on Friday 27th March... 27th March 1998: Victory Against McDonald's in Slough 16th March 1998: New Campaign: "What's Wrong With the Body Shop?" 16th March 1998: Leaflet: What's Wrong With the Body Shop? Part 1 of 2 16th March 1998: Leaflet: What's Wrong With the Body Shop? Part 2 of 2 7th March 1998: Spontaneous Uprising Against McDonald's Successful! 21st February 1998: Ronald McDonald Burned in Effigy at McDonalds Protest At 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 18, six members of IRATE gathered outside of the new McDonalds restaurant in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island... 17th February 1998: Canadian union drive forces closure of local store... ... although the owner claims it was simply due to bad location. The store was poised to be the first organised in Canada. 16th February 1998: Happy Birthday McSpotlight. Two years old today. 13th February 1998: McDonald's Closes Unionized Franchise ...Quebec, Canada 25th January 1998: UK Football League and McDonald's Unite to 'Exploit' Children - Launch of Campaign to Kick McDonald's out of Football 25th January 1998: McDonald's Continue to Deceive Their Customers - in defiance of UK High Court Ruling. 23rd January 1998: Oprah versus the hamburgers McLibel witness Howard Lyman and talk show host Oprah Winfrey stand accused of libelling hamburgers.The trial attracts massive media attention in the US. 21st January 1998: McDonald's Manipulation Of The Media... ... Bob Carter, a US author and travel journalist, sent a letter to McDonald'sCorporation requesting information... 8th January 1998: Resistance Grows to UK Jailings of Radical Journalists A Call To Action / Report of LGSC Launch Meeting 2nd January 1998: The Fat-Filled Fast-Food Fry Wars... ... McDonald's unhealthy food deteriorates further. 9th December 1997: McLibel documentary The definitive 50 minute McLibel documentary is now available to buy on video. Preview it first on the website of the film of the trial. 23rd November 1997: McLibel book Ordering details for John Vidal's book about the McLibel Trial. Now available in paperback for 4 pounds and as a special US edition. 21st November 1997: Gandalf Three jailed for three years Trial report, petition and campaign about the three magazine editors imprisoned for reporting environmental and animal rights actions. 27th October 1997: half the McLibel Two New in-depth interview with McLibel defendant Helen Steel. 25th October 1997: major structural work completed In preparation for the definitive version of McSpotlight (the upcoming CD-ROM) we've been oh so busy redoing the site: check out the new Beyond McDonald's, Kids and Issues pages. 13th October 1997: press backgrounder McLibel press backgrounder updated to include verdict, appeals etc. 9th October 1997: McLibel pages redone The section of the site devoted to the McLibel Trial has finally been overhauled and sorted out. Should now be each easier to find exactly how many witnesses appeared, that particularly amusing courtroom exchange or what Richard Rampton prefers for breakfast. (Sorry, this section is not going to be on the mirror sites till we sort out a way of uploading more than one file at a time!) 4th October 1997: McLibel 2 go Stateside Helen and Dave are off on a week's promotional trip in America. Signing books, speaking to packed-out stadiums, that kind of thing. Plenty of opportunities to go along and say hello or throw tomatoes. 29th September 1997: Campaigns Preparations for the annual Week of Action Against McDonald's: 12th - 17th October 1997. Print some leaflets and get down to your local Golden Arches. 26th September 1997: Media pages The McSpotlight media pages have been overhauled and now include an archive of press releases, a press kit for lazy journos and all the usual newspaper, tv, internet, photo and video stuff. 7th September 1997: Appeal The Two begin Round Two as appeal is lodged with Court of Appeal. 28th August 1997: Press Update ... Press avalanche: Over 40 (yep that's over FORTY!) press articles into the press sections: UPI: Fast-food client claims tea was bleach Business Wire: Hospital Workers Union Takes Protest Against McDonald's to Woodhull Hospital; 27 August 1997 Reuters: McDonald's opens 200th restaurant in Taiwan; 27 August 1997 Reuters: McDonald's relying more on international stores; 25 August 1997 The Daily Telegraph (UK): Burger chain leaves France as sales fall; 30 July 1997 UPI: McDonald's to invest $59 million in Peru; 28 July 1997 Reuters: Some Wal-Mart stores serving McDonald's meals at check-out; 25 July 1997 The Daily Telegraph (UK): Heritage purists in combat at Coliseum; 24 July 1997 The Daily Telegraph (UK): BSE cull costs 'out of control' - McDonald's buys British beef; 27 June 1997 Marketing Weekly (UK): McDonald's Win Is Hollow Victory; 26 June 1997 Marketing Weekly (UK): Big Mac Under Attack; 26 June 1997 Marketing (UK): McDonald's Trial And Error; 26 June 1997 Marketing (UK): MCLIBEL TWO HIT BACK AT BURGER GIANT'S KIDS ADS; 26 June 1997 The Lawyer: McLibel Trial Makes Firm £3million; 24 June 1997 The Daily Telegraph (UK): McLibel Two take protests back to street; 22 June 1997 Mail on Sunday (UK): Burger Chiefs in Court Threat; 22 June 1997 The Daily Telegraph (UK): Ruling could damage company's image; 20 June 1997 The Daily Telegraph (UK): Mine's The Biggest Mac Please; 20 June 1997 The Daily Telegraph (UK): Two vegans who took on the burger giant; 20 June 1997 The Daily Telegraph (UK): Renewed calls for libel reform; 20 June 1997 The Daily Telegraph (UK): MCJUSTICE IS DONE; 20 June 1997 The Daily Telegraph (UK): TWO VEGANS WHO TOOK ON THE BURGER GIANT; 20 June 1997 The Daily Telegraph (UK): MCLIBEL VICTORY WITH LITTLE RELISH; 20 June 1997 Western News: WHAT MADE BURGER GIANT BITE BACK; 20 June 1997 Western News: WAS IT REALLY MCWORTH IT?; 20 June 1997 Western News: MCDONALD'S WIN EPIC COURTROOM BATTLE; 20 June 1997 Western News: SMALL FRIES WHO TOOK ON BIG MACS; 20 June 1997 Yorkshire Post: Peniless Losers in Court Still Claim Victory Over Mighty McDonald's; 20 June 1997 The Scotsman: McDonald's Left To Chew Over £10 Million Legal Bill; 20 June 1997 The Scotsman: Anarchists Never Fighting To Win; 20 June 1997 Los Angeles Times (USA): BIG MAC WINS MCLIBEL CASE; 20 June 1997 The Independent (UK): WHAT A JUDGE SAID ABOUT MCDONALD'S; 20 June 1997 The Toronto Globe and Mail (Can): A Victory Over McLies; 20 June 1997 The Daily Mirror (UK): THE £10M MCBLUNDER; 20 June 1997 Reuters: Judge Rules Activists Libelled McDonald's; 19 June 1997 Reuters: Activists Found Guilty of Libel Vs McDonald's; 19 June 1997 Reuters: Activists Guilty of Libelling McDonald's; 19 June 1997 Wired Magazine: Eighties survivor cracks the zine scene; 17 June 1997 The Daily Telegraph (UK): Burger chains agree to talks on beef ban; 13 June 1997 The Economist (UK): McEconomics hails the yuan; 11 April 1997 The Times Literary Supplement: The end of polite resistance; 8 March 1997 The Daily Telegraph (UK): Not so Big Mac1 January 1997 August 1997 - Exclusive interviews Come on down Ronald McDonald - Geoffrey Guilliano sheds the clowns mask for a chat with McSpotlight and Sue Dibb of the UK Food Commission says Ronald is leading kids up the Golden path to ill-health in her exclusive for McSpotlight. 31st July 1997- Press release National Food Alliance calls for government review of food advertising after McLibel ruling 31st July 1997 - Press update McDonald's hit with fines and legal costs for polluting English waterway - Reuters 24 July 1997 29th July 1997 - Campaign update NOMAC go online 19th July 1997- Campaign update McDonald's admit defeat - no injuction on leaflets - censorship defeated! MSC 18th July 1997 - McLibel Victory! Associated Press - McDonald's Lets Libel Case Rest The Financial Times - McDonald's to Abandon Action The Independent - No Second Helping For McDonald's Meanwhile the wider battle against McDonaldisation continues; MSC 17th July 1997 - North London Residents In Uproar Against Proposed McDrive-Thru 14th July 1997- Interviews Friends of the Earth Director - Charles Secrett - puts McDonald's in the McSpotlight 15th July 1997- Company update McDonald's offical view on Bell's verdict 14th July - Interviews Brazil specialist Sue Branford gives an exclusive interview to McSpotlight about her 20 years of experience in the Amazon region. 9th July 97 - Interviews IUF General Secretary Dan Gallin talks to McSpotlight about McDonald's, unionisation and workers 9th July 97 - Media Update The Independent - 2nd July 1997 - What can the company do? 4th July 97 - Media Update (Press backlog to clear) The Scotish Daily Record - 20th June 1997 The Canberra Times - 24th June 1997 The Bangkok Daily Post - 26th June 1997 South China Morning Post - 20th June 1997 The Guardian - 18th June 1997 The Guardian - 20th June 1997> 1st July 97 - Open Letter After the Judgement: An open letter from the McLibel Defendants. 25th June 97 - Judgement The Judgement begines to appear - loaded in installments the full judgement amounting to some 800 pages is fully accessible. 21st June 97 - Verdict Update Chicago Tribune - McDonald's USA local paper gives their opinion Plus. Judgement page updated with new leaflet "What's Wrong With McJustice?" (in PDF) 20th June 97 - Media Update (can't even get off line now before another one arrives) Liberation - French National coverage Plus. McLibel media press cutting index updated. 20th June 97 - Media Update (here we go!) McLibel Support Campaign Press Release 20th June 1997 The Times - hot off the press The Telegraph - indepth post verdict report> Transfer interrupted! un97.html">USA Today - "the judge agreed with some of their sharpest criticisms" Reuters - "allegations about cruelty to animals, low pay and exploitative advertising were true" CNN Online - "some of the criticisms of the fast-food chain were correct" Plus... If you've been look for a way to send McDonald's your opinions but have been frustrated by their disinterest, look no further - McSpotlight provides a feedback form to McDonald's corporation. (Use it while it works!). 19th June 97 - Judgement day McLibel Support Campaign Press Release 19th June 1997 plus McLibel Verdict backgrounder. And, available NOW! Justice Bell's summary of his verdict in the McLibel trial. 18th June 97 - Media Update 'but at what cost' - Associated Press; 16th June 1997 Marathon McDonald's Libel Trial Near Climax - Reuters; 15th June 1997 McDonald's U.S. Marketing Plan in Question - Reuters; 4th June 1997 Restaurant Kings, or just Silly Burgers? - Observer; 8th June 1997 'McDog' Restaurant Chain Challenges McDonald's - Reuters; 8th June 1997 McDonald's Opens at Seagate Canteen - Reuters; 3rd June 1997 Writ Large - Legal News in Brief - Guardian; 3rd June 1997 13th June 97 - Media Update McLibel Support Campaign Press Release - McLibel Verdict Expected 19th June 1997 John Lewis drops libel action - see full story. 11th June 97 - People Two new exclusive interviews to McSpotlight from notable characters involved in McLibel. Jeremy Corbyn, British MP George Ritzer, author of McDonaldisation of Society 10th June 97 - Thanks to Freespeech TV, 'The Attack of Big Mac' from Undercurrents2 can now be viewed online using RealVideo or VDOLive. 9th June 97 - Media Update Victory for McLibel Two - says the Toronto Star Plus. McLibel Book Competition week four comences 2nd June 97 - Subvert Update When is a drive-thru not a drive-thru? Another corporate buster at large. 2nd June 97 - Company Advert McDonald's discover hitherto underexploited consumer market. Recent sales slump expected to recover. In the hope that you're never too young to have a "Mac Attack," McDonald's has now entered the womb. 30th May 97 - Company Update McDonald's Company pages updated. Plus. McLibel related links page split to create seperate McDonald's related links page. 26th March - Play McBurger: A Real Neat Scotch Fare. The BANNED play is now available exclusively on McSpotlight. For more information on this Other McLibel see: McDonald's Vs'MacBurgers'. 25th March - Press Release Verdict approaches for McLibel - England's longest ever trial grinds towards an end; V-Day Actions planned. 21st March - Beyond McDonald's Monsanto gets the McSpotlight treatment 21st March - Capitalism and the Alternatives Party politics and the 'McVested Interest' - the links exposed but where's all the money! 19th March - Global Diary Details of the Great American Meatout entered in Diary 17th March - Photos of McLibel documentary Exclusive photos from last week's filming of the courtreconstructions for the McLibel documentary. 17th March - Local Residents Campaigns Walthamstow residents campaign updated. mailout and press coverage also updated. 16th March - Media Update McDonalds toys manufacturer and violation of workers'rights. 15th March - Local Residents Campaigns Walthamstow residents join the fight against McDonald's mindless expansion. 14th March - Internationals Campaigns Report of the events of Friday 7th March 1997, in downtown Shibuya, Tokyo. 11th March - People Interviews Colin Campbell: Leading expert on the links between diet and cancer gives an exclusive interview to McSpotlight. 10th March - Media, Television 'Signs that McDonald's are in financial trouble'" from the Late Show with David Letterman. Humour (almost). 8th March - Residents Campaigns Blue Mountains, Australia page updated as McDonald's admits defeat and says it will not appeal. 7th March - Campaigns Protests are planned today for actions outside several stores in Japan. New translations add to campaigners capabilities and ability to dissipate information. 6th March - Press Update McDonald's Press Cuttings index page updated. Teamsters taking another run at a McDonald'soutlet Union starts drive at McDonald's outlet Britain's BAT to consider U.S. tobacco settlement P.R. Firms surf the net Local 420 to rally against contracting out of Elmhurst Hospital employee cafeteria to McDonald's. Retail oversaturation, McDonald's and others find, has it'slimits The McDonald's Classroom Grant Program 4th March - Press Update McDonald's try to turn the clock back with Campaign 55, perhaps it's all too late: The 55-Cent Big Mac Bet McDonald's Empire Bites Back FastFood Stocks Fall On Fear Of McDonald's Led PriceWar McDonald's Promotion Plan Seen As Risky - SayAnalysts McDonald's Corp. just turned up the heat in the fast-foodbusiness Burger wars open with a Mac attack A sense of urgency growing at McDonald's Other Stories: Doctors Say McDonald's Lies in Kids Promotion McDonald's To Serve Athletes At 1998 Olympic WinterGames A grassroots challenge for the McMultinational:McSpotlight 'Filing Station' Gets A New Meaning Raising The Steaks Clan takes in McGiant Venezuala To Get Wendy's Restaurants 4th March - Czech Protest Story and photo's from the Czech Republic's participation 12th Anti-McDonald's Day Protest in October 1996. Streettheatre protest which ended in the summary execution of Dave Morris and Helen Steel. Can this be the way it's going to end?!!! 3rd March - NEW HOMEPAGE McSpotlight has a new homepage to check-out and 'spotlights' to play with.Comments gladly received. 3rd March - Press Update Tenacity proves it worth Standing up for what he believes Find out the latest on the McLibel Trial Big Mac poised to join Texaco war effort 3rd March - RESOURCE PAGE UPDATED When next taking a trip to or past your local McDonald's you'll find some of this material helpful. A pagewhere campaigners can print off whatever poster, slogan, leaflet or scary picture they need. Easy to useand navigate, bookmark the page for your next protest. 25th February - Press Updates Victory for residents in Blue MountainsAustralia - Press Release Welcome to McHell David confident of win in epic battle against burgerGoliath It's McD-Day For Burger Plans... The Guardians of Clan Donald - Press Release Dairy Queen Targets Teens 24th February - Residents Campaigns Chester pages added to cover theattempts by McDonald's to get permission for a third outlet in Chester. Pages include a document regarding the appeal byMcDonald's. 20th February - Interviews New interviews from some of the trial's celebrities. Exclusive to McSpotlight in the People's section. These are explosive interviews! Jeremy Corbyn, British MP Stephen Gardner, former US (Texas State) AssistantAttorney General Howard Lyman, lobbyist and ex-cattle rancher Mike Mansfield, leading UK defence lawyer Keir Starmer, leading UK barrister 19th February - Media Update We have a backlog of press again (thanks to weeks working on the transcripts). Ad company splits with McDonald's McPlans for Finland History of the burger 16th February - HAPPY BIRTHDAY MCSPOTLIGHT!! Yes, one full year of uncensored reporting and campaigning. Twelve months of news from the Royal Courts of Justice and from around the world. Three hundred and sixty five days of in-depth information and open debate. McSpotlight had it's first anniversary today! We pulled out all the stops and uploaded the entire court transcripts from the McLibel trial, 313 days, approx 19,000 pages (79mb of data).Additionally, we uploaded McDonald's Closing Submissions. But be warned, they are very tedious - perhaps deliberately. Feel like a quick browse? Check out our awards page. 15th February - Various Media : McDonald's turns to cyber-serving, To Russia with love Dalgerty suffers with McDonald's slump, No more McAdvertising. McFun : A 'coloring book' representing the start of a newsection for kids. Campaigns : A collection of resources foranti-McDonald's campaigners. 13th February - Big Plans Announced Press Release about the first anniversary of McSpotlight and announcing McSpotlight's intention toput the entire McLibel Trial court transcripts online. The huge document will add about 19,000 new filesand about 75mb of data!. The additions will stretch McSpotlight disk quota to the limits and as a result the recently added Muscat search engine index of the debating room has been replaced by a more basic and slow search engine dedicated solely tothe Debating Room that does not use as much disk space. 11th February - Search Engine There are now several ways to search McSpotlight. The search option from the menu button cluster will provide access to all of the available subject groupings. The page is optimised for the latest browsers but should work with anybrowser that handles forms and tables. If you have a problem, please let us know. 9th February - Debating Room Continuing the implementation of the new search engine, we have overhauled the Debating Room. 8th February - New Search Engine In preparation for a major siteoverhaul planned to coincide with the 1st anniversary of McSpotlight's launch, we have started to implement a more powerful and easy to usesearch engine. We have started with the Press Cuttings since the index was getting far too big. It has beensplit into four categories : McDonald's, McLibel, McSpotlight, and Other. The orginal indexhas been replaced with links to the four new ones, and a gateway to our newsearch engine so that you can search all of the Press Cuttings. 7th February - PressUpdates Very long and detailed look at the trial and the issues. Well worth a read. 29thJan 97 - Big Mac Attack - A British libel trial putsMcDonald's on the grill 5th February - Residents Campaigns Lastest onthe Harold Hill campaign as petition ofover 1000 names is handed to Mayor. (McSpotlight gets a mention in the localpaper). 4th February - Residents Campaigns Sample leaflet added. 2ndFebruary - Residents Campaigns More material to assist Local Residents Against McDonald's Informationon the planning related issues of; traffic, litter, noise and smell and local employment. 31stJanuary - Media Reports index updated to includedetails of 'A Spoonful of Sugar' - an internationalcomparative survey on television food advertising aimed at children. A magazine article about the findings has also added, along with anewspaper article about the issue of childrensfood. 31st January - Residents Campaigns Harold Hill residents against McDonald's -another community opposing McDonald's expansion plans. Includes campaign mailout and press coverage. 30thJanuary - Residents Campaigns PlanningApplications - a guide to the planning system and how to object to unwelcome developmentproposals. Includes a summary ofthings-to-do, a sample letter, a sample petition, and a spoof planning application. 29th January -Campaigns Spanish version of'What's Wrong With Ronald McDonald' added. Additionaly, the page for Spain has been updated. Global diary updated to include details of weekend of events against theoil industry. 27th January - Press Update What is YOUR jobsworth?! Revelations of McDonald's spy who sold herself to Ronald. McDonald's Spy Had Affair With Protestor Cloaks, Daggers and Ms X Appeal 26th January - New Merchandise Pages Say it, stick it, wear it, spread it! More ways to skin McDonald's than ever before. All available in the updated merchandise pages. 26th January - Baby Milk Scare Salmonalla outbreak forces government to withdraw product range. McSpotlight's baby-milkpowder page comes into sharp focus as ... The McSpotlight turns on the the Baby Milk Industry Baby Milk Linked To Salmonalla - Press Article Baby milk banned in poison fear - Press Article 'They are all safe.' - What the manufacturers were saying only a short time ago about their products! 25th January 1997 - Press Update More articles that help to give a fuller picure on the Press Index January 1997 - McD's In a Soup with Trademark Suit 15 December 1996 - Shell Admits Payments To Nigerian Military in Ogoniland 3 January 1997 - Big Mac Means 5,000 Jobs to be Filled in1997 30 December 1996 - Family Seek New Inquest Into McDonald's Death 22 June 1996 - McDonald's Surveys 'Failed' 22nd January 1997 - McFun We thought we had done it, and now we have - the leaflet used in the Beyond Beef 'Adopt-A-McDonald's Campaign'. Also available is the Beyond Beef 'Adopt-A-McDonald's' coloring book. It is provided as two images files (side 1 and side 2) that can be viewed and printing out to reproduce the orginal booklet. 17th January 1997 - Campaigns Many changes relating to the campaigns top page, the leaflets page, and the countries section. New pages have been created for Japan and Sweden. Added to the Spanish page: Resistencia espagnola a McDonald's, Que pasa con McDonald's?. 17th January 1997 - Press Updates Yet more press articles added to the Press Index, the backlog is almost gone. 12 January 1997 - Burger the environment 19 December 1996 - Fast Food Chains Fight For Market Share 18 December 1996 - U.S. Hamburger Chains Battle On Into 1997 15 December 1996 - Oldest McDonald's In U.S. Reopens 14 December 1996 - McDonald's Opens World's First Ski-Through 9 December 1996 -  Fascinating McFacts About McDonald's International 2 December 1996 -  McD Opens In 99th Country With 1st Restaurant In Dominican Rep. 15 November 1996 - City Diary: Burger And Fries To Go - Sloping Off 16th January 1997 - Campaigns Swedish pages have been added to the countries section of campaigns, and a Swedish translation of the What's Wrong With Ronald McDonald kids leaflet has added to existing translation of the What's Wrong With McDonald's? leaflet. Plus, Japan, one of McDonald's largest markets, gets own translation of the 'What's Wrong..' leaflet 16th January 1997 - Press Updates Still more articles from the last year. 23 December 1996 - McDonald's Seeks Changes In Food Preparation 17 December 1996 - Burger and large prize to go please 13 December 1996 - Marathon 'McLibel' Trial Ends - Verdict Later 15th January 1997 - Campaigns New Swedish translation: Vad är det för fel på McDonald's? 15th January 1997 - Press updates The following 'found', 'remembered' or 'discovered' articles have also been added to the temporarily 'stripped down' version of the Press Index; 24 December 1996 - McDonald's Wises Up To The Poor Taste Of Wilted Lettuce 23 December 1996 - Big Mac and a Prize Headache 19 December 1996 - Learning The Value of a Burger 18 December 1996 - Republic of Ireland: Burgers for Burghers 16 December 1996 - Salads Join McD's Line; No Specific Ad Plan Seen 14 December 1996 - `McLibel' Trial Ends After 2 1/2 Years 14 December 1996 - Physical Dexterity Required at New McDonald's Outlets 12 December 1996 - Burger Chain Set To Open Its Third Outlet - Anger Follows 9 December 1996 -  Canada: All Mouth and No Future 6 December 1996 -  Beefburger Giants Face Ban Dilemna 13th January 1997 - Company Fancy a job at McDonald's? Check out this McDonald's advert Wheres the tropical rainforest vanishing to? See The McDonald's Rainforest 12th January 1997 - Press updates Because the file was becoming too large, the Index of Press Cuttings has been simplified. To increase easy of use, we hope to split the index up into seperate catagories soon. The following 'lost', 'forgotten' or 'recently recieved' articles have also been added; 9th January 97 - McDonald's to open 100 restaurants 28th December 96 - McDonald's refuses to accept a Gaelic name 21st December 96 - McDonald's wins right to use name in Jamaica 19th December 96 - Turning Swords into Beef-burgers 15th December 96 - New World Fast Food Order 13th December 96 - Fears over McDonald's school sponsorship deal 15th August 96 -Big Mac deal will bring windfall for Tory coffers Our review of 1996 has been updated to include the new articles and the information they contain. 11th January 1997 - Campaigns Italian pages updated, and the latest version of the 'Whats Wrong With McDonald's' leaflet has been translated into Italian - Che cosa c'e' di sbagliato in McDonald's?. Plus, a link to an independent McDonalds Money Monopoly Exchange has been added to the McSpotlight 'Buy Nothing Monopoly' page. 10th January 1997 - Press updates McSpotlight continues to impress reviewers. The latest additions include The Citizen and Blah Blah Blah. Plus: Global Diary has been updated to include the Newbury Bypass Reunion Rally. 5th January 1997 - Beyond McDonald's Additional material in relation to Shell Oil and Nigeria, issued during Ogoni Day (4th Jan): MOSOP Press Release and a statement by acting president, Ledum Mitee. 3rd January 1997 McDonald latest 'no purchase necessary' game and how to play it. New addition to McSpotlights collection of cartoons - McDonald's and political corruption. End of Year Review expanded, and more links added. Faulty pop-up-menus in the Photo Gallery have now been repaired. Global Diary updated for Ogoni Day events.

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