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
Here’s how to join us:
– from Hastings: purchase a day return to London terminals and catch the 7.55am bus replacement from the train station
– from St Leonards Warrior Square: purchase a day return to London terminals and catch the 8.02am bus replacement from the bus stop on the sea front opposite the statue of Queen Victoria
– from Bexhill: purchase a day return to London terminals and catch the 8.30am train to London Victoria
– from Eastbourne: purchase a day return to London terminals and catch the 9.01am train to London Victoria
– from Polegate: purchase a day return to London terminals and catch the 9.08am train to London Victoria
– from Lewes: purchase a day return to London terminals and catch the 9.21am train to London Victoria
– from Seaford: purchase a day return to London terminals, catch the 8.53am train to Lewes and change there onto the 9.21am train to Victoria
– from Brighton: purchase a day return to London terminals, catch the 9.33am train to London Victoria and meet us at 10.40am outside the branch of Lush cosmetics inside London Victoria station
If you’re coming from elsewhere in East Sussex (or want to catch a different train) then you can either meet up with us at 10.40am outside the branch of Lush cosmetics inside London Victoria station or at 11.40am outside the Oxfam bookshop just round the corner from the museum: 12 Bloomsbury St, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 3QA
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’
