Day 272 - 02 Jul 96 - Page 78


     
     1        1986 and I can remember then there was this definite
     2        enthusiasm for it.  That was not present in 1990, on my
     3        behalf or in the group generally, but the idea was,"yes we
     4        will picket McDonald's that day.  We will go there, and
     5        hand out leaflets".
     6
     7   Q.   I mean?
     8        A.  That was not in 1990, interestingly, any street
     9        theatre, like there was in 89.  Just a straightforward
    10        demo.
    11
    12   MR. RAMPTON:  Sorry, I keep asking you.  You said earlier, may
    13        be 20 minutes ago, you remember the phrase "everyone hates
    14        McDonald's", which was the same year?
    15        A.   Yes.
    16
    17   Q.   I cannot remember the exact date, but certainly so far as
    18        you were concerned that was right?
    19        A.   Yes.
    20
    21   Q.   I do not--
    22        A.  What you have got to understand is at this time was
    23        that McDonald's was not at the top of the list of
    24        priorities.
    25
    26   Q.   No, no.  I understand that?
    27        A.  We all had our own lives and we all had other important
    28        pressing things to do, not least of which was the poll tax
    29        which was threatening to send people, you know, to prison
    30        and ruin them, you know, and that for me and most other
    31        people in the group, was the main campaign of 1990.
    32
    33   Q.   I quite understand that Mr. Gravett, but the idea that
    34        somehow or another the presence of the inquiry agents
    35        within the group fostered or rekindled a hostility towards
    36        McDonald's, which the group might not otherwise feel, is
    37        absurd, is it not?
    38        A.   I do not think it is absurd.  I have just explained
    39        that the people involved in the group -- we were not, you
    40        know, we were not feeling the same towards McDonald's in
    41        1990 as we were in 1986.  The presence of the inquiry
    42        agents I would say had some bearing on it.
    43
    44   Q.   In what sense?
    45        A.   Well, in the sense that they came to meetings; you
    46        know, participated, answered letters, asked questions about
    47        McDonald's, helped with stalls, offered to volunteer to do
    48        things at the fayre, took part in mail outs, came along on
    49        October 16th.
    50
    51   Q.   Right.  If I may leave that there Mr. Gravett we will test
    52        that in the morning.  My Lord, if that is a convenient
    53        moment.
    54
    55   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Yes, certainly.  10.30 in the morning.
    56
    57            (The Court adjourned until 10.30 the following day)
    58
    59
    60

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