POWER TO THE PEOPLE
PROGRAMME 1: A TO E
Anti-war
This segment focuses on opposition to the war in Iraq. Germaine Greer (writer and academic) and Tony Benn (former Labour MP) are among those who discuss the value of anti-war and peace protests. The segment concludes with an interview with Reg Keys whose son Tom died in Iraq in 2003. Reg believes that, as no weapons of mass destruction were found in Iraq, his son was betrayed by the government and died for a lie. He feels that the best way to fight this injustice and make a difference is to hurt the government where it really matters – in the ballot box.
Boycott
Protestors explain why they think that boycotts are an effective form of protest. The segment contains archive footage of the boycott of South African goods that began in the 1960s and continues today. The accompanying commentary illustrates the role that politicians play in facilitating change.
Culture jamming
Culture jamming is the art of hijacking the media communications – for example, logos, brand names, advertising, websites and broadcasts – that large companies and others use. The aim is to change and challenge the media message, highlight an injustice, convey people's opposition or reveal the difference between what a company says and what it does. The example in this segment is based on the use of a fake website.
Direct action
This segment focuses on direct action, which 'uses radical methods to physically stop something from happening'. It contains footage that some young people may find distressing. It draws attention to the fact that direct action can be dangerous and may involve breaking the law. Rachel Corrie's story illustrates the danger that it can pose. A member of the International Solidarity Movement, she was run over and killed by a bulldozer in 2003 whilst protesting against the Israeli demolition of Palestinian homes in Gaza. Rachel's cousin and a colleague describe what happened on the day. Katherine Viner, a journalist and co-editor of a book about Rachel, reflects on why young people value this form of protest.
Eco-warriors
Eco-warriors are people who take direct action 'to protect the environment from the onslaught of the modern world'. Campaigner Kate Evans describes what happened at Newbury. Accompanying footage illustrates the range of methods that eco-warriors use. Steve Weir, an eco-warrior for 17 years, describes how the lessons learned from the Newbury Bypass campaign were used to stop a housing estate being built on greenbelt land in Nottinghamshire.
