Mock Citizens Arrest Of BP President Tony Hayward Planned For Friday

By Robert Hune-Kalter - Talk Radio News Service

Public Citizen, a non-profit consumer advocacy group, along with many other organizations are planning a protest outside of BP’s Washington Headquarters Friday afternoon. The Research Director for the Energy Program at Public Citizen, Tyson Slocum, wants to evoke the message that BP’s actions are unacceptable.

“We are seeking a citizens arrest of BP’s CEO, Tony Hayward,” Slocum said on an interview with Talk Radio News on Thursday. Slocum has been the Director of the Energy Program since 2000 at Public Citizen.

Public Citizen is urging consumers to boycott BP gas stations across the country as an effort to send a clear message to BP Management about the damages they’ve caused to the Gulf of Mexico.

“The boycott is not designed to hurt the local stations, and it’s not going to…it’s really going after trying to tarnish the brand,” Slocum said in defense of the boycott.

Slocum commented that BP needs to refocus their goals in order to emerge from this disaster successfully.

“They’re going to have to radically change their focus, the company has consistently over the years prioritized short term profits over worker safety and protecting the environment.”

The protest begins Friday, June 4 at 12 p.m.