May Day Sentiment
May 3 2003
UK polling and research agency O.R.B. conducted a survey of those demonstrating in London on May Day, The O.R.B. May Day Poll, revealing that 'Global Capitalism' is considered the greatest cause of global problems (51%) and blamed as most responsible for many of today's global problems (49%).
Other key findings included:
- George Bush is the person considered the greatest threat to the world with a mean score of 9.1 in score out of ten as a threat to the world;
- Ronald McDonald (mean score 6.4), Bill Gates (6.7) and Tony Blair (7.1) are considered a greater threat to the world than Osama Bin Laden (5.1) and Saddam Hussein (4.2);
- Politicians in general were blamed by 12% of demonstrators for today's global problems. The US was held accountable by 26%.
Those demonstrating were primarily from the UK and the majority were seasoned demonstrators (two in three had been on previous May Day demonstrations). A staggering 45% had also attended a demonstration abroad suggesting the growing international status of such demonstrations. 46% of those demonstrating were in full-time employment and over half the survey respondents had achieved some form of higher education level.
When asked for their opinion on demonstrating as a means of expressing their viewpoint:
- Four in five (81%) believe that demonstrating is the easiest way to draw attention to the issues they care about.
- A similar proportion (78%) thinks that demonstrations are a more effective means of democracy than the ballot box. This may go some way to explaining why 55% of the survey did not vote in the 2001 General Election;
- Two in three (66%) were willing to break the law to have their opinions aired. 55% would go as far as be arrested today if it helped to generate publicity for their cause;
- However, a huge majority (85%) believes that media coverage does not fairly reflect what happens at these demonstrations.
When asked what the outcomes demonstrators were looking from the day's protests:
- 57% desired extensive media coverage about the companies being protested (ie for the media to focus on the perceived ills of the companies rather than on the protest itself);
- 20% wanted the companies being targeted to be financially damaged by the protests;
- 6% admitted they wanted to cause as much damage as possible to London. 32%, however, believed the day's protests were a 'fun opportunity to target the rich.'
Jonathan Heald, Research Director of O.R.B. said: 'This is the first time that demonstrators have been asked what they think. To most commentators these people are on the fringes of society; are disenfranchised or not empowered. On the contrary, these people are motivated and committed, care strongly about issues they think are important. They are just disaffected and blame politicians and global business in general for many of the ills in the World. We have conducted this research today because it is important that these peoples' views are counted. It is too easy for pollsters to say that these people's opinions cannot be measured or they are too disenfranchised to bother about. This survey illustrates the extreme public relations problems that the United States has amongst a vocal and motivated proportion of UK citizens'.
The research was carried out in face to face interviews at several locations in London between 09.30 and 17.00hrs on 1st May. All those who participated were taking part in May Day demonstrations.
All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.
