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| Bushman elder, CKGR, Botswana 2004
© 2004 Stephen Corry/Survival |
Last night's protests at the opening of De Beers's new London diamond store
have caused a storm of media coverage. The large, but peaceful, protests by
supporters of the Gana and Gwi Bushmen and Bakgalagadi have been widely reported
in Europe, North America and South Africa.
The New York Times, reporting De Beers's threat of legal action against
Survival, reads, 'A messy argument about treatment of indigenous people is
probably the last thing De Beers needed.' Today's Financial Times reports
that De Beers's attempt to promote the diamond as a symbol of love, money and
power is being 'undermined' by the campaign against the eviction of the Basarwa.
Protesters created a wall of banners and placards across the road from
celebrities arriving at the party. The protests were also reported by SAPA, the
Daily Telegraph, SAFM, Vogue fashion magazine, the Times, the Guardian, and
London's Evening Standard, among others.
For more information contact Miriam Ross (+44) (0)20 7687 8734 or email mr@survival-international.org
Below are some photos of the protest :
