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 06 July 2008 21:35 BST

Greenpeace 'orang-utans' scale Unilever headquarters

Monday, 21 Apr 2008 10:16
Greenpeace stages protests at Unilever headquarters and warns of extinction of Sumatran orang-utan
Four Greenpeace activists wearing orang-utan costumes have clambered atop the balcony of Unilever's Victoria Embankment headquarters in London.

In addition, 60 other volunteers, many dressed as orang-utans, have gained entry to a Unilever factory in Merseyside.

The protestors are demonstrating against the consumer goods giant's controversial use of palm oil in its products.

Greenpeace claims millions of hectares of Indonesian rainforest have been destroyed to collect the oil, which is used in Persil.

The environmental group also says that the Sumatran orang-utan is facing extinction in the face of attacks from palm oil plantation workers.

A statement from Greenpeace said protestors were 'bombarding' commuters in the capital with jungle noise and a spoof advert featuring orang-utans instead of Dove's "real women".

The poster is being displayed on a trailer parked and wheel clamped on a traffic island at the edge of Blackfriars bridge.

A Greenpeace spokesperson added that activists were "overrunning and occupying" the Unilever factory at Port Sunlight.

Eight teams scaled the perimeter fences, entered the plant and hung a banner stating "Unilever: Stop destroying rainforests for palm oil" on the front entrance, Greenpeace said.

"We're in Liverpool today because Unilever, the company behind global brands like Dove, is contributing to one of the greatest environmental crimes happening in the world right now," said Greenpeace executive director John Sauven.

"By doing nothing to stop its suppliers destroying rainforests and peatlands to grow palm oil, Unilever is helping to kill off the last remaining orang-utans on the planet and massively speeding up climate change.

"Unless Unilever cleans up its act then the orang-utan could soon become extinct in the wild, and our chances of avoiding climate disaster could disappear with them."

A spokesperson from Merseyside police said the force was monitoring the demonstration and officers were in attendance following a call from Unilever at 06:45 BST.

The firm itself said it was preparing a response to the action.End of story


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