Residents in Tecoma protest against a 24-hour McDonalds. Photo: Eddie JimProtesters flooded the streets of the quiet Dandenongs township on Sunday, the rally the latest in a long campaign against a 24-hour McDonald's in Tecoma.
"No" was scrawled on placards and printed on the T-shirts of protesters; others painted their faces with "T8" in honour of the so-called "Tecoma 8" - eight residents being sued by McDonald's for causing delays to the construction of the fast food giant's new store.
No Maccas in Tecoma group spokesman Garry Muratore said the rally (crowd estimates ranged from more than 1000 to 4000) was aimed at raising funds for the legal defence of the "Tecoma 8" and sending a message to McDonald's.
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"We want to let McDonald's know the community is galvanised
and still hell-bent on stopping them," he said. "We've proved to
McDonald's and the [building] contractors that this is a community
they've seriously underestimated."The Tecoma store was rejected by the local council but later approved by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal after McDonald's mounted a challenge.
The community launched a campaign known as "Burger Off" in response, using social media and even recording a protest CD featuring local artists.
Since July more than 30,000 have signed an online petition against a McDonald's in the Dandenong Ranges.
McDonald's faced a "PR avalanche that is going to consume them'', Mr Muratore said. "Do the right thing by the community and leave."
"Tecoma 8" member and local resident for 29 years Karl Williams said the march was an "amazing celebration". He said a 24-hour McDonald's was inappropriate for a town that "turned its lights off at 10pm".
"We are sending a message to the world that we will not be intimidated and we will not give up."
McDonald's did not return calls for comment. The company previously said it respected the right to protest lawfully.
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