Shell – Profiting From Misery

BRITISH-BASED multinationals Shell and BP were amongst
the many oil companies queuing up to profit out of the death and destruction
of last year’s war in Iraq.

Clare James

The socialist youth group International Socialist
Resistance (ISR) held a series of pickets then at BP petrol stations around
the country. This year we are highlighting the appalling record of Shell on
environmental and human rights abuses in Nigeria and elsewhere.

Many people have been killed and imprisoned in Nigeria
for protesting against those issues. Shell worked closely with the military
dictatorship which ruled Nigeria until 1999 and encouraged the suppression
of human rights.

Recent blunders by Shell bosses resulted in falling
share prices. These blunders are being paid for by 1,000 Nigerian workers
being sacked. Ordinary Nigerians see none of the wealth reaped from their
country by the oil industry.

Blunders 

We will be protesting outside Shell HQ in London as well
as having lively pickets of Shell stations around the country.

Our leaflets, banners and placards will explain to
passers-by and motorists why we’re protesting and appealing to motorists not
to use Shell on May Day as a show of support for the protests. We will also
have letters to explain to staff at the stations why we’re protesting.

The oil multinationals want to rule the world to defend
their profits. As ISR member Alex said: "It is important to make the
link between the oil companies and the occupation of Iraq. That is another
reason why we have decided to protest."

We are also building for and supporting trade union
events and protests around the country to help ensure that as many young
people as possible know about May Day and the protests being organised
around it.

We will also be campaigning for a living minimum wage
for all and continuing to get petitions filled in calling for this to help
build the campaign.

  • End the human rights abuses caused by big business
    profiteering

  • Nationalisation of the oil resources under democratic
    workers’ control

  • End the occupation of Iraq – troops home now!

  • Let the Iraqi people decide their future

  • For a socialist society planned according to the needs
    of people and the environment and not the profits of big business.


Protest outside Shell HQ

Meet from 10am, Saturday 1 May at Shell Max House, The Strand, London, WC2 (nearest tube Charing Cross).

If you’re not sure how to get to this and would like to meet us at Charing Cross first, please call 020 8558 7947 and ask for Sarah.

Join us on the TUC (Trades Union Congress) demo afterwards. Clerkenwell Green (marching to Trafalgar Sq), 12 noon, at the ISR stall (nearest tube Farringdon Tube).

Ring 020 8558 7947 for more info on these and other local protests.