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."

by MacNN Staff