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In an action to highlight the connections between our economy hooked on oil & the war in Iraq the $Hell Petrol station on Great Victoria Street (the most central city petrol station) was blockaded for one and a half hours by 40 people during ‘rush/(snail) hour traffic. 8 activists using lock-ons blockaded the two entrances to the station as a ‘No Blood for Oil’ banner was dropped from the forecourt canopy.

Banners & subvertisement proclaimed ‘this petrol station is closed due to war’, ‘we apologise for the death of innocent civilians’; & many portrayed an Iraqi child with a petrol pump held to his head. Anti war messages were scrawled on the forecourt, around the petrol pumps and chalked out body outlines. Easter Bunnies against the war also made a special appearance.

There was quite a lot of support from passing traffic honking their horns in support, a siren blaring fire engine even honked as it whizzed by, (only 2 cars & a lorry tried to breach the blockade, one petrol addicted motorist threatening to drive over activists).  Several passers by stopped to give support & joined in on the action.

Media turned out from BBC, GMTV, & local newspapers, & more importantly d.i.y. media in the form of Northern Visions 100.6 FM reported on the action.

The cops seemed a bit baffled by it all, only 5 in total turned out and they spent most of their time standing about talking to each other unsure of what to do. They remained pretty chilled out throughout the action in spite of getting increasingly frustrated  by answers to the question of  ‘who’s in charge here’.

Other petrol companies to follow... 

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