Feb. 28, 2005. The Greenpeace Forest Crimes Unit, as part of a week long tour of Southern Ontario towns and cities, stopped in at the Adelaide Street Price Chopper in London, Ontario today. A handful of dedicated and kick-ass activists quickly placed a giant “Kleercut box” in front of the Price Chopper store while a couple of forest defenders set up a banner that read “Kleenex = Forest Destruction”. Others handed out several hundred information leaflets (printed on 100% recycled paper of course!) to shoppers. The message to London shoppers: Consumers should make responsible choices at their local grocery store by not buying Kleenex brand tissue products.
The reaction was overwhelmingly positive with comments like “I am happy you are here today” and “Keep up the good work! It’s such a shame that these forests are being clearcut to create products that are flushed down the toilet.”
Shortly after setting up, the Price Chopper store manager, not exactly pleased with our presence, called the police. While the half a dozen police, who had arrived in 5 cop cars, were negotiating with Nikki our fearless police liaison, the crack Forest Crimes Unit entered the Price Chopper to investigate the forest crime taking place.
Suspected Forest Crime: Selling Kleenex forest destruction to unsuspecting shoppers.
The Evidence: Boxes of Kleenex brand facial tissue on Price Chopper shelves.
The Solution: Remove Kleenex brand tissue products from shelves.
The Forest Crimes Unit proceeded to remove the Kleenex tissue products off the shelves and boxed them up in a “Forest Crime Evidence” box. At this point the store manager, stormed into the aisle where the Unit was doing their business and roughly kicked them out of the store.
The Verdict: Guilty of Forest Crimes.
We packed up our Kleercut box shortly thereafter under the watchful eyes of the London police and local media. Our next stop looms, as we travel to Waterloo, Ontario tomorrow to continue our investigation of Kleenex forest crimes.
Check out some photos from the London action.
Take Action to support this work:
• Want to meet up with us at one of out stops this week? Find out when and how.
• Send a message now to grocery store chain selling Kimberly-Clark Kleenex brand tissue products.
• Spread the word about this action. Send a virtual leaflet to your friends and family now.
