Bedazzled's Liz Hurley to be Boycotted as Scab
Bedazzled's Liz Hurley to be Boycotted as Strike Breaker
Concerned Teachers P.O. Box 5035, Papanui
Media Statement
Wednesday 24 January 2001
Boycott Bedazzled’s Strikebreaker - Support Wharfies
“Our group is encouraging teachers to boycott the film Bedazzled which premiers in New Zealand tomorrow (Thursday) to show their support for the Waterfront Workers Union protest against Tauranga-based Mainland Stevedoring,” said Concerned Teachers spokesperson Peter Calvert.
“The world première in the US of the film Bedazzled on October 17, 2000 saw Liz Hurley confronted by angry protesters for having violated a strike by SAG (Screen Actors Guild) of which she is a member. Over a hundred protesters held placards saying, ‘Elizabeth Scabley, You make Me Hurl,’ and ‘Beauty Fades, Honor Doesn't.’” said Mr Calvert.
“The main issue that the WWU is concerned about is the move to get rid of local jobs. Even if Mainland, which is loading logs for Carter Holt Harvey, hires local labour, they are still replacing local people's jobs,” said Mr Calvert. “Strikebreakers and scabs, like Liz Hurley, are a part of the move to get rid of those local jobs.”
“For our members not going to Bedazzled is a way of supporting the Wharfies in their fight. We also hope to organise some protest at the premier,” said Mr Calvert. “Shortly teachers will be involved in their own fight for better pay and conditions and will want support from others.”
“Luckily we hear that this version of Bedazzled does not compare with the 1967 version anyway,” said Mr Calvert. “Peter Cook is a much better devil than Liz Hurley so the boycott (not going to a bad movie!) won’t hurt too much. And it is non-violent.”
Ends: For More information contact: Peter Calvert 021 2111 825
E-mail ConcernedTeachers@xtra.co.nz Website www.concernedteachers.com