Mac Expo officials on Greenpeace
updated 12:55 pm EDT, Fri October 27, 2006
MacExpo on Greenpeace
Mac Expo management and security staff who forced the Greenpeace organization out of the Expo on the first day have explained the decision. Greenpeace activists reportedly gathered outside the show entrance to hand out flyers depicting Apple as one of the worst computer manufacturers for including harmful materials in its products to attendees entering the event. "We want people to be cool and calm as they enter the show," said Bob Denton, the event director. Denton explained that two activists could stand by the stairs inside the show to hand out flyers, but that the management would not allow gathering outside the main door, according to a report from Macworld UK. Following the initial gathering at the doors, four visitors and five exhibitors reportedly complained that Greenpeace attendees were 'invading' other stands for mock photo shoots and replacing other exhibitors' promotional material with their own. One woman even complained that activists were taking photographs of her child without her permission.
"I explained to them that I had the right to eject them but that wouldn't happen if they showed reason," Denton said. Later on, however, two additional visitors and two more exhibitors complained about the organization. Denton then ejected the activists under clause 13 of the terms and conditions that Greenpeace signed, according to the report. "They were determined to create conflict," Denton added. "That was their only objective and I had the right to eject them just as I would if they were drunk and abusive."
I usually like Greenpeace
10/27, 01:06pm reply
but yeah, their behavior sounds unreasonable. Besides, come on, Apple users are probably much more likely to be sympathetic to their cause, why alienate them by being pushy and rude?
climacs
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2001
Greenpeace as usual.
10/27, 01:23pm reply
This is why one of the founding members of greenpeace left and is now against them. They are more anti-business now than pro-environment and will break any rules or laws to make their point. When they do this and get punished for it they have the attitude “what did we do?” or “How dare they say what can’t do whatever we want to do”
I am glad to see someone taking action and calling them on this. I hope it drives contributors to other, much more worthy environmental groups.
rspress
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Dec 2002
Green Fleece
10/27, 01:59pm reply
They must have behaved like a bunch of borderline anarchists desperate for attention. That type of behavior hurts their credibility. However, many would argue that they don’t have any credibility to hurt. They are trying to pressure and embarrass Apple into capitulation by harassing their customers. Fortunately, most of the public is smarter than this and is not buying into their pitch.
bsnoel
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Joined: Feb 2006
i wonder....
10/27, 02:10pm reply
"...stand by the stairs inside the show to hand out flyers..."
i hope they are made from 100% recycled paper. nothing worse than the killing of trees to tell everyone about a company that pollutes from an organization that promotes saving earth
FastAMX79
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Joined: Sep 2000
Purposeful action
10/27, 04:14pm reply
It makes you wonder if they set out from the beginning to get kicked out of the Expo. It sure generated a lot of free publicity.
jogdish
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Joined: Jan 2006
thats what they wanted
10/28, 02:18am reply
jogdish got it right: free publicity, thats all they were after.
ibugv4
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Joined: Jun 2003
How about this!
10/28, 09:08am reply
Apple should replace their "harmful materials" with recycled pieces of Greenpeace members. Then EVERYONE wins!
LouZer
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Joined: Nov 2000
Babies and bathwater
10/30, 03:38pm reply
Lets make sure we dont throw out the baby with the bath water. There may have been bad behavior here, but there is an issue about creating a society that is healthy and sustainable.
Lets remember that computers contain poisons and to send them to proper toxic disposal sites when done with them. I dont want my grandchildren cursing my name -- do you?
-Christopher Johnson
christophersj
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Joined: Jan 2003