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This is a link post Homeless charity being demolished to make way for McDonalds I made this!
I've never felt the need to create an i-petition, much less post it on B3ta, but this is just unbelievable.

A homeless charity in Tonbridge, Kent, is being forced to relocate so the building can be demolished to build a McDonalds. Neither the council that approved this nor McDonalds are offering any financial support and chances are it'll now be forced to close.

Please sign this petition and share if possible.

More info here: www.courier.co.uk/Bridge-Trust-homeless-McDonalds-moves-Tonbridge/story-23428022-detail/story.html
 (ccc, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 14:06, , Reply)
This is a normal post homeless charity made homeless? That's a Godsend to journalists. It writes itself.

(Victoria'sBeard Different political view? I hate you!, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 14:33, , Reply)
This is a normal post I wish you luck but I don't have faith in ePetitions.
i'ld organise a nice bit of direct action, protests, sit ins etc.
That's what will hurt the money.
 (I helped save b3ta! Cerebus Sticky! Sticky! Stick! Stick!, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 14:37, , Reply)
This is a normal post You're probably right.
I've never done one before - but, after reading the article, just wanted to do *something*.
 (ccc, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 14:41, , Reply)
This is a normal post sit outside the council building dressed as a homeless charity, with a cardboard sign saying 'Director of Homeless charity'
make sure you contact the local papers - they love a good photo-op
and get a mangy dog with a sign 'Managing director' (you could even get an authentic one as homeless people often share dogs and would be happy to support)
 (Victoria'sBeard Different political view? I hate you!, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 14:49, , Reply)
This is a normal post edit: homeless guy, not homeless charity. Pfft

(Victoria'sBeard Different political view? I hate you!, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 14:50, , Reply)
This is a normal post Haha!
Now you've planted the seed - I'm actually quite up for that.
 (ccc, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 14:54, , Reply)
This is a normal post make sure you have a clear message which is something achievable, realistic, and measurable (SMART objective)
e.g. 'I want McDonalds and the Council to aid the charity in obtaining new premises and retaining it for at least 1 year.'
 (Victoria'sBeard Different political view? I hate you!, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 15:09, , Reply)
This is a normal post You've done *nothing*

(I helped save b3ta! Jeffrey44 (User was banned for this post), Mon 27 Oct 2014, 20:23, , Reply)
This is a normal post Fancy a kebab?

(I helped save b3ta! Jabberwoc misses D.R. and Quinch, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 20:49, , Reply)
This is a normal post And some wine?
LOL!
 (I helped save b3ta! Jeffrey44 (User was banned for this post), Mon 27 Oct 2014, 21:11, , Reply)
This is a normal post but only campaign if you know what you're doing
Recommend this. Basically, campaigning uses marketing techniques.

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search?index=books&linkCode=qs&keywords=0719916518
 (Victoria'sBeard Different political view? I hate you!, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 14:45, , Reply)
This is a normal post can't beat the price.

(I helped save b3ta! kombu dashi, Tue 28 Oct 2014, 10:16, , Reply)
This is a normal post firebomb McDonalds?
just joking, you have to be careful what you say these days.
 (I helped save b3ta! Rebel biscuit stercore sumus et nos esse novimus, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 18:44, , Reply)
This is a normal post I would imagine the reason that they had a three month rolling lease is because this, or something similar, has been planned for some time.
Campaigning against that would seem a bit pointless.
If you don't want a McDonalds, that's another matter.
 (I helped save b3ta! MyFrontFellOff ; his mouth full of teddies, urinating defiantly, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 14:53, , Reply)
This is a normal post It's not campaigning against the plans
it's about a major corporation offering to financially assist a small charity to relocate.
 (ccc, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 14:56, , Reply)
This is a normal post My advice on it
is that obviously, McDonalds have no legal obligation to help and nor does the council. They might be persuaded to though if you can get plenty of coverage for the story. Focussing on the positives about what the charity does, which the petition page does well, will likely be more successful than emphasising the negatives - most people are ready enough to hate McDonalds anyway. The ideas above about putting more pressure on the council aren't bad.

Is anyone fund raising to help the charity cover relocation costs? Might be another practical step worth taking in case it doesn't work out.
 (SnowyTheWereRabbit the Leporid from Hell, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 15:04, , Reply)
This is a normal post Thanks
Yes - it's not meant to be negative and ultimately, neither the council nor McDonalds have any legal obligations. It would be a good, positive bit of pr for McDonalds to be seen supporting a charity in such a way - and that's the slant I'm trying to take.
 (ccc, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 15:21, , Reply)
This is a normal post Good stuff
and good luck.
 (SnowyTheWereRabbit the Leporid from Hell, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 15:42, , Reply)
This is a normal post That would be nice
but I don't see what responsibility they have.
What next. Blame them for people spilling hot coffee on themselves?
 (I helped save b3ta! MyFrontFellOff ; his mouth full of teddies, urinating defiantly, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 15:08, , Reply)
This is a normal post They have corporate social responsibility.
Not something legally enforcable, but something to play with.

www.mcdonalds.co.uk/ukhome/whatmakesmcdonalds/questions/running-the-business/csr/what-is-mcdonalds-corporate-social-responsibility-policy.html

They are mainly against litter and for kids and health. If any under 16 homeless people use the charity then that's an angle to use. You can also point to the health of homeless people and the consequences of them not having a place to go to (something to do with litter).
 (Victoria'sBeard Different political view? I hate you!, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 15:19, , Reply)
This is a normal post I agree with all that and wish them well.
What I am suggesting is that this has been on the cards for a long time (run-down estate 3 month lease). I expect that the 3 month lease deal was openly sold as "we are trying to sell this place on to developers so we can only give you a short lease. You could have o leave at short notice.
The planning application was submitted in May but I can't imagine that it wasn't known about long before that.
 (I helped save b3ta! MyFrontFellOff ; his mouth full of teddies, urinating defiantly, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 15:40, , Reply)
This is a normal post Was that a veiled comment on the liebeck case? The documentary Hot Coffee certainly changed my mind about the whole affair.

(I helped save b3ta! Christian's Bolt and Ski, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 16:59, , Reply)
This is a normal post Yep. It was.
I seem to have understood that doc differently to most.
Rather than changing my mind to thinking McDonalds were to blame, it made me think that people making claims like these had given the big corporations the ammunition they needed to help get the law changed.
 (I helped save b3ta! MyFrontFellOff ; his mouth full of teddies, urinating defiantly, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 17:16, , Reply)
This is a normal post you're upset that a business isn't being a charity?
I'm pissed off that my scooter isn't a Ducati, we should make a petition for that too
 (Ol' Ginger Bastard a role model for the children, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 15:37, , Reply)
This is a normal post If McDonalds is inevitable then you can campaign for the Council and McDonalds to make sure the charity continues
McDonalds could become a corporate partner of the charity or something (there are many possibilities). They could provide regular free food to the charity. Help towards rent of new property for first year. Etc etc.
Other businesses in the area could help. Target those who will financially benefit from the new McDonalds.
 (Victoria'sBeard Different political view? I hate you!, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 15:05, , Reply)
This is a normal post Fire bomb it when they've built the new MaccyD.

(pissflaps. FSPW, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 15:07, , Reply)
This is a normal post someone take The Anarchist's Cookbook off pissflaps

(Victoria'sBeard Different political view? I hate you!, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 15:12, , Reply)
This is a normal post Ah that takes me back :)
Early days of the internet, reading the Anarchists Cookbook whilst waiting for early 90's internet porn to load.

Apparently you can get prosecuted for owning that document now.
Scary times.
 (I helped save b3ta! Cerebus Sticky! Sticky! Stick! Stick!, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 15:18, , Reply)
This is a normal post Berkeley tells you all
bnrg.cs.berkeley.edu/~randy/Courses/CS39K.S13/anarchistcookbook2000.pdf

also, original book seems to still be legal in UK and US.

www.amazon.co.uk/The-Anarchist-Cookbook-William-Powell/dp/1607964813
 (Victoria'sBeard Different political view? I hate you!, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 15:26, , Reply)
This is a normal post It's legal in the UK except when it isn't.
A publication deemed "useful" for terrorism is illegal if the police decide you are thinking terroristy thoughts when you download it, but presumably is legal if you aren't.

Of course if you aren't bad then you wouldn't have it.

Terrorism act section 2 3(b)

www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/11/section/2
 (DestructoLettuce, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 15:43, , Reply)
This is a normal post when they've used this in court, they've usually failed to prove terroristy intent
unless you build a bomb or some other physical act, they can't touch yer
 (Victoria'sBeard Different political view? I hate you!, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 16:36, , Reply)
This is a normal post People have been prosicuted for owning the book
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7030096.stm

Seeing as a lot of the "material for terrorist purposes" could be half the stuff in your kitchen I wouldn't want to chance it.

Also Powell has asked for it to stop being sold.
Didn't know he was a teenager when he wrote it.
www.theguardian.com/world/shortcuts/2013/dec/18/why-anarchist-cookbook-author-william-powell-off-shelves

Besides i've heard a lot of the circuit diagrams and recipes are designed to "fail".
 (I helped save b3ta! Cerebus Sticky! Sticky! Stick! Stick!, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 16:38, , Reply)
This is a normal post I would like to see that defense: "It isn't illegal because it isn't useful for terrorism".
But an undergrad level chemistry textbook is.
 (DestructoLettuce, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 16:46, , Reply)
This is a normal post Scary!
The act is so loosely worded, I get the feeling just reading the act is an act of terrorism. Surely it cant be right to make it illegal to read a book and think about crime! Thoughtcrime!
 (I helped save b3ta! twochopbob In denial since, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 18:31, , Reply)
This is a normal post reading seems okay, as long as you don't distribute something terroristy
Amazon can get into trouble though.
 (Victoria'sBeard Different political view? I hate you!, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 19:22, , Reply)
This is a normal post thats a right bugger not a good one for a chairty
Hasn't their local council got empty properties they are looking to offload or to lease out to social community projects for cheap rent, as most council do. they say they have business help at the council. Freedom of information act to request details of empty properties in the local area to the council. https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/business_rates_87
how good is their bidding/fundraising?
www.courier.co.uk/Council-gives-200-000-community-groups-Tonbridge/story-23222371-detail/story.html
www.tmbc.gov.uk/services/community-and-living/community-advice/community-enhancement-fund/commuity-enhancement-fund-form
 (I helped save b3ta! The invisible ham Fig rolls are the best, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 15:13, , Reply)
This is a normal post Signed.

(I helped save b3ta! TheSundaeLunch I'm a fucking shrub, alright?, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 15:53, , Reply)
This is a normal post Why the fuck SHOULD the council or McDonalds offer ANY financial support?
The charity leased the warehouse on a 3 month rolling contract, so it seems fairly obvious that the warehouse OWNERS decided to sell-up to Maccy D, and permission was then sought from the council to demolish the warehouse so that Maccy D's could get a 'change of purpose' designation.
ALL of this looks perfectly legit to me. The very fact that the article STATES "3 MONTH rolling contract" implies pretty fucking hard that the charity KNEW they wouldn't be able to have use of the warehouse forever.
But of course, facts don't come into it when bedwetting liberal handwringers get an excuse to wail "BIG BUSINESS IS BAD!"
 (I helped save b3ta! stuj (^(^;;^)^) GO TEAM SPIDERS!(^(^;;^)^), Mon 27 Oct 2014, 16:07, , Reply)
This is a normal post erm, go SPIDERS!
and caps lock
 (I helped save b3ta! colmcq2, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 16:15, , Reply)
This is a normal post (^(^;;^)^) GO TEAM BABYMETAL!

(I helped save b3ta! stuj (^(^;;^)^) GO TEAM SPIDERS!(^(^;;^)^), Mon 27 Oct 2014, 16:17, , Reply)
This is a normal post YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

(I helped save b3ta! colmcq2, Tue 28 Oct 2014, 15:55, , Reply)
This is a normal post "Bedwetting liberal handwringers"
Christ, just call them communist, pinko weirdos, eh?
 (I helped save b3ta! Hardfarter Following through since 1978, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 18:21, , Reply)
This is a normal post No.
Because there's not one of them with enough spine or balls to be commies.
 (I helped save b3ta! stuj (^(^;;^)^) GO TEAM SPIDERS!(^(^;;^)^), Mon 27 Oct 2014, 19:11, , Reply)
This is a normal post But they have 5 other properties right?
This is just their admin office? So whats the problem with just finding another office?
 (I helped save b3ta! JamTallons, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 16:31, , Reply)
This is a normal post Because then the unwashed professional protestors wouldn't have anything to complain about of course.
Can you imagine how heartbroken they'd be if they didn't have a petition to sign? How else are we supposed to know that they're BEING OPPRESSED BY THE MAN?
 (I helped save b3ta! stuj (^(^;;^)^) GO TEAM SPIDERS!(^(^;;^)^), Mon 27 Oct 2014, 16:40, , Reply)
This is a normal post I'd be having a go at the trustees of the charity for not managing it properly...

(I helped save b3ta! Ghoti Fingers, Mon 27 Oct 2014, 21:18, , Reply)
This is a normal post Maybe some people should gett jobs and lay off the drink and drugs. Then they wouldn't be homeless.
I hate McDonalds. Except for their fries
 (I helped save b3ta! Flash_Bastard, Tue 28 Oct 2014, 8:54, , Reply)
This is a normal post Speaking of hamburgers.
This place, Burger-fi, opened right next to my apartment building. It is the best hamburger I've ever eaten.



The petition is a sweet idea but I'll pass.

Ronald McDonald House Charities.

https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=ronald+macdonald+house&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

They do this, of course, out of self-interest. It's good for their image. Win/win.

Social contract. That's the thing comedians with more education in liberalism than economics, like Jon Stewart, pull out of their ass at whim. You are judge of McDonald's social contracts now? Are you up to it?
 (I helped save b3ta! kombu dashi, Tue 28 Oct 2014, 10:34, , Reply)