Shell recruitment event disrupted in Oxford

Shell's annual graduate recruitment event aimed at schmoozing Oxford University students was disrupted by local activists tonight who heckled, switched off displays and audio equipment, gave an alternative speech and chatted to the students.

Less than a week after BP's recruitment event at the same venue got similar treatment, a last-minute gathering of folks from Thames Valley Climate Action made sure that Shell's PR gloss did not go unchallenged either.

Just like all oil companies, Shell are not only destroying all our futures by fuelling climate change, they also destroy communities on a local level, from the Tar Sands of Alberta, Canada, to Rossport, Ireland, Nigeria and beyond. Our action was in solidarity with all those affected by Shell's operations, mindful of the much greater risks and repressions they face.

While their presentation was interrupted by an alternative speech, the PA system was being unplugged and shiny displays turned off to level the playing field a little. At this point a couple of us were dragged out by the heavies, making sure that everyone was loudly aware of why we were there in the process.

But with only a couple of security guards busy keeping an eye on the rest of the room, no-one was guarding the hotel door, and we were able to go straight back in for another round of ranting. Ooops; bit of an oversight on their part! Dragged out again, this time even more grumpily, and my friend was petulantly kneed in the leg on the way out just for the sake of it. Wonder what they were so pissed off about? :-)

I don't know the details of what happened next, but there were plenty of activists still in the room so I'm sure Shell were even further embarrassed. Hopefully more reports will be posted soon, probably with photos and videos too.

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