home >> news

ASTRAZENECA AGM DAY OF ACTION IN LONDON

Thursday, 29th April

We are SHAC London and, as promised, we did come back!

We started our duo of AstraZeneca demos at 15 Stanhope Gate at their UK headquarters. There were many high profile executives around here today just before the company's AGM less than a couple of miles away. We did a loud and committed demonstration here. The cowards of AZ wouldn't even leave the office to go to their own AGM, even though there were police there for their 'protection' (as if they needed it!), so it seems some might have turned up late. We covered both doors front and back, so there was nowhere for them to escape.... people holding placards and hanging out leaflets! Their chauffeurs were parking illegally to top off all the other illegality that AstraZeneca are involved in. We took pleasure in bringing these road infractions to the attention of the police who reluctantly told the fat cat cars to do one! Just as we were leaving a swarm of employees scuttled out of the door to their waiting vehicles like frightened insects. We moved on to the AGM.

This year's AZ AGM was taking place at the Renaissance Chancery Court Hotel at 252 High Holborn, where we did another loud and meaningful demonstration right at the front of the building, focusing on the fact that it's because of animal testing that drug disasters like Vioxx and Thalidomide happen. We distributed many leaflets at this busy location and many people were disgusted that this kind of abuse continues in the UK. AZ were suitably shamed and embarrassed by our demonstration and we will continue our demos against them for their dealings with HLS and vivisection.

Later on a few activists gave AZ another little surprise by using the megaphone at the rear of the building while their AGM was going on. Do the right thing AZ and ditch HLS!

SHAC London