11.15am – 15 April 2003
The Brewery, Chiswell Street, London EC1
British American Tobacco (BAT) shareholders arriving for their AGM tomorrow morning will be greeted by protesters wearing Burmese military uniforms and toting Rothmans cigarettes.
Supporters of Burma Campaign UK and Friends of the Earth are calling on BAT to close its factory in Burma, which is a joint venture with the military dictatorship.
As well as protests outside the AGM, campaigners have purchased BAT shares so they can attend the AGM and question BAT’s board. The Burma Campaign UK launched a global campaign against BAT in November last year. Deputy Chairman Kenneth Clarke MP faced embarrassing questions over a letter he had written to a constituent in which he criticised companies ‘collaborating’ with the regime.
“BAT’s business partners in Burma are rapists, murderers and torturers”, says John Jackson, Director of Burma Campaign UK. “We want to make BAT Directors explain to shareholders why they fund this brutal military dictatorship.”
BAT’s AGM will take place at, at 11.30am. The protests will begin at 11am. Nearest Tube: Moorgate.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT MARK FARMANER – MEDIA OFFICER, ON 020 7281 737