On 22 September, Dump Veolia campaigners demonstrated outside Camden Town Hall in London where the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) Board was meeting regarding the new £4.7 billion waste contract in which Veolia was shortlisted.
This demonstration, organised by the North London No to Veolia Action Group (No2VAG) attracted over fifty people, many carrying banners and signs that lined the entire front of the building. There were contingents from throughout London, as well as from surrounding areas. Groups represented included Amnesty International, United Nations Association, Jews for Justice for Palestinians (JfJfP) and Neturei Karta.
Three wise monkeys (in monkey suits – see photo below) protested outside and later sat in on the meeting as a protest against the Board’s refusal to engage with reasoned argument, to agree that complicity in war crimes amounts to grave misconduct and for refusing to allow a delegation to present the case for excluding Veolia from the contract.
The Three Wise Monkeys outside Camden Town Hall.
A nasty incident allegedly occurred when one of the NLWA Board members – who’s also an elected official – started verbally abusing a campaigner.
Cllr Brian Coleman: "Scum"
Brian Coleman, a North London Waste Authority Board member, a Barnet Borough Councillor, as well as a member of the London Assembly for Barnet and Camden, shouted “scum” and other slurs directed at a Muslim woman who was handing out No2VAG leaflets to people entering the building.
Coleman, a former chair of Finchley Friends of Israel and presently a member of the Conservative Friends of Israel, later apologised when he was identified to police by outraged onlookers.
This is par for the course for Coleman who reportedly responds to emails that make a painstaking case for excluding Veolia with one-line replies reading “Don’t contact me again about this.”
“Scum” is a new departure for this elected official.
It’s of grave concern that on the board of the NLWA there’s a Councillor who’s not only abusive and a disgrace to public office, but with a clear bias in favour of Veolia, which is one of the two shortlisted bidders for the NLWA massive £4.7 billion, 30-year contract.
As a resident of Barnet, I am familiar with Coleman’s idiocy, his arrogance and his belief that he is above the rules which apply to the rest of us. He giggles like the fool that he is when residents ask questions in Council meetings, he and his thugs verbally attack protesting residents and one of his scumbag friends stole a local campaign group’s banner – so, am I surprised that his islamaphobic racism has finally made a public appearance? Indeed no. So, from now on, Coleman has a new first name: “Scumbag”. I ask myself, how does scum get into all the arenas Scumbag is in and the answer comes from an old saying: “Shit floats.”
Fellow Barnet residents – wash this scum away into the sewers where he belongs!!
Incredible that an elected official could get away with all this!
A great suggestion regarding his name Reenie! However comparing Coleman to scumbags is giving scumbags a bad name.
I’m sure a question many people would like answered is why did residents of Barnet elect to public office such a poor excuse for a human being. You deserve better.
Coleman is an embarrassment and you’re right, come the next election, it’s time his constituents flush this toad down into the sewers where he belongs.