BOOKFAIR
WHERE NEXT?anti advertising homebillboard bombardment Maiden Outdoor Advertisers press Cuttings |
WHERE NEXT?anti advertising homebillboard bombardment Maiden Outdoor Advertisers press Cuttings |
Press ReleaseLOCAL WOMEN ARRESTED WHILE CORPORATE COWBOYS PROFIT FROM ILLEGAL BILLBOARDSOn the 10th October 2003, four women were arrested on Green Lanes for allegedly causing "criminal damage" to a large advertising hoarding owned by Maiden Outdoor Advertising.The criminal damage consisted of putting a message on the hoarding publicising a bookfair. The billboard concerned is one of three erected last year at the junction with Endymion Road, N4. It is a sizeable metal structure cemented into the ground and put there, as were the other two, without planning permission. This hoarding is no exception. In a survey by Haringey Council of 50 billboards in the nearby West Green area, 48 had no planning permission/advertising consent. Many of these boards are owned by Maiden, but other companies are just as guilty. Two van-loads of police were sent to arrest the four women for allegedly putting up posters advertising a community event. They were finally charged on 19 December and the case has now been adjourned until 23 March. We consider that it would not be in the public interest to pursue their case. In addition to police costs, even more public money will be spent dragging them through the courts. Meanwhile, advertising companies such as Maiden are getting away with damaging our environment, tearing up our pavements, spoiling our views, bombarding us with unsolicited and unwanted product propaganda, flouting planning laws, ignoring local council regulations and requirements, showing nothing but contempt for local people’s rights, and making enormous profits as a result. We would like to voice our support for the four women charged. We wish to encourage people to challenge the arrogance of these billboard companies by putting pressure on them, and on their local councils, to force removal of such boards. We also congratulate anyone who amends or reclaims these boards for useful purposes such as informing people about local events. The people arrested are due to appear at Tottenham Magistrates Court, Lordship Lane, N17 on Tuesday 23rd March 2004 at 10am.
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Haringey Solidarity Group: Notes for Journalists: Haringey Solidarity Group is a community group which has been campaigning on local issues for 15 years. |