On Saturday 8 February BP or not BP will be staging a mass creative takeover of the British Museum in London – filling the building with people, movement, props, costumes and a Trojan Horse*, to protest against BP’s sponsorship of this major cultural institution.
Contact Divest East Sussex if you’d like to be part of a Brighton and East Sussex bloc at the largest protest that the British Museum has ever seen: divesteastsussex@gmail.com or 07596 483 272.
You can also help spread the word via Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1031503930546382/?active_tab=about
Folk coming from Hastings will be catching the 7.55am bus replacement service to Bexhill, with folk from St Leonards joining en route (probably from the bus stop opposite the statue of Queen Victoria on the sea front). From Bexhill we will be catching the 8.30am train to Victoria, with folk from Eastbourne joining us at 9.01am and folk from Lewes at 9.21am. If you’re coming from Seaford then the you should catch the 8.53am train to Lewes and then board the 9.21am to London Victoria. If you’re coming from Brighton then you should catch the 9.33am train from Brighton to London Victoria, arriving at 10.35am, and meet us at the rendezvous point: 10.40am outside the branch of Lush inside Victoria station.
BP or not BP say:
– We have a detailed plan for the day that will involve taking part in a variety of activities in different spaces in the museum. When the event starts, there’ll be people who will give you instructions on where to be and when.
– You’ll get to join in with mass performance moments, hear voices from the frontlines of BP’s pollution and corruption, and team up with others in a variety of ways to expose the truth about BP’s activities, and put pressure on the British Museum to stop supporting the oil industry. There will also be some extra surprises we’ll reveal on the day 🙂
– We will also be highlighting the connections between oil sponsorship, colonialism and looted artefacts in the museum.
– We are planning a choice of accessible activities and a kids’ space for those who need them, to allow as many people as possible to participate in the day.
– The Feb 8th event will start from 1pm, but try to get to the museum early if you can (ideally by 12noon) as there may be long queues. If you get in early, there are cafes and places to sit inside the museum while you’re waiting for things to start (or you could do some exploring).
– Don’t bring large bags or suitcases, as these won’t be allowed in. Also, be aware that door staff will be checking everyone’s bags so don’t bring anything sharp or that could cause damage, or that makes it obviously look like you’re coming to a protest performance!
* BP is currently sponsoring the exhibition ‘Troy: myth and reality’
