By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
ACROSS the road from Tecoma McDonald’s last week, a group of campaigners were celebrating a special milestone.
Belgrave Wizard and iconic hills resident Baba Desi celebrated his 85th birthday last Wednesday in the same way that he has spent many of his days in the past year: protesting the Tecoma McDonald’s.
The group brought cake, non-alcoholic wine and decorations to commemorate the milestone, while Desi stayed focused on the task at hand. He says that the Tecoma restaurant could best serve the community in other ways.
“The building could be used as an arts centre for young people in the area. We have plenty of sporting facilities, but it would be useful to have an arts centre out here.”
Six months after the opening of the McDonald’s, the protesters maintain a presence on most days and still generate much support from drivers who beep their horns while driving past. Lemons line the side of the road to represent a community who will not support the new establishment.
With 85 years under his belt, the big birthday will not stop Desi from continuing to support the No McDonald’s campaign and join the protesters across from the restaurant.
“It’s out of place and it doesn’t belong. It needs to go.”
