By JESSE GRAHAM, FILED FROM TECOMA MCDONALDS
TECOMA McDonald’s is minutes away from opening, with crowds from both sides of the debate piling in front of the doors.
Crowds of protesters and supporters for the new restaurant had been gathering since around 6am, with around 50 protesters on the site.
Police officers patrolled the fenced site throughout the morning, and officers are currently stationed outside of the doors, with the restaurant set to open at 10.30am.
Franchisee James Currie said the opening day was the end of a “long road” and that he felt there had not been pressure on the company by the protesters over the last three years.
He said the protesters had agreed to demonstrate peacefully and legally against the restaurant, although security would be posted at the site until further notice.
Members of the protest group waved placard signs, sung, played instruments and proclaimed that they would be on the site every day until the restaurant closed.
No McDonald’s in the Dandenong Ranges spokesperson Garry Muratore said the group would continue to demonstrate at the site each day.
Mr Muratore said the No McDonald’s protestors had put “enormous” pressure on the restaurant, with the opening delayed and thousands signing petitions against the store.
Residents and passersby in cars honked their horns in support of the protesters, with some yelling words of encouragement out of the windows.
The man at the front of the line to order at Tecoma McDonald’s, Morry Van Deleur, said he would order an orange juice, adding he was neutral on the debate that has raged through the Dandenong Ranges.
For the full story, see tomorrow’s Mail.
