Friday October 16: World Day of Action against McDonalds. The restaurant in Rose Crescent, Cambridge, had rubbish dumped on its counter during the lunchtime rush. Protesters then spent most of the day leafleting the area, telling people the facts behind the action. And, for every airhead defending the place on the grounds that 'I like my burgers, McDs is a good place (huh huh huh)', there was at least one other person who stopped to chat in a friendly way and say how they agreed with us. Several customers became former customers after reading the now famous 'What's Wrong with McDonalds' leaflet. This is a contrast to the attitudes faced by those pioneers who handed out the original factsheet, subject of the McLibel trial. However, the first step to successs is recognition: the trial, whatever its consequences for those involved, certainly catapulted the campaign into the public view. And the public reaction did not in general favour McDonalds.

For some time residents of Cambridge's Silverwood Close have been fighting plans to build a drive-through McDonalds on the site of an old garage on Coldham's Lane. Their campaign gained support from all over Cambridge, and now they have won. This also shows a great shift in opinion: the Rose Crescent store gained permission through the back door, despite objections. This time, though, Big Mac had not been able to override the community.

McDonalds have, of course, tried to fight back against the turning tide. One particularly sickening stunt they are currently planning is an 'RSPCA approved' burger, using the Society's 'Freedom Food' label. Let's just hope the RSPCA have more sense than to give approval to one of the most monumental animal-killers of all time. It is unlikely, however, that even McDonalds will attempt to repeat the controversial anti-union display they once used in Canada: making members of staff lie down in the snow outside the store forming the word 'NO' (to unions). After all, they don't wish to be seen as viewing their workers as automata or machinery now the '80s are over. (Far be it from me to suggest that this view is still held behind the scenes: I'll let their own admission -in a court of law- that 'safety is a low priority in our stores' do that.)

The tide is turning: McDonalds have had their own way for too long. It has been shown that we, the 'little people', do have influence when we come together. As the song goes, 'A thousand bricks can build an arch: singly none, singly none'. Chew on this: if 50 leaflets are given out outside a McStore every week, and if one in 5 people take notice, that's 10 less McCustomers every week. 520 less customers a year would, lets face it, have an impact. Give leafleting a try if you haven't already: it�s a great way to make friends and influence people!