Dunedin women Leigh Paterson and Luci McConnon this week recruited friends and fellow chocolate lovers to form the Sugar Liberation Army (SLA), which opposes Cadbury's recent decision to discontinue production of Snifters, Tangy Fruits and Sparkles.
Wearing home-made costumes and waving banners, a group of about 35 demonstrators launched Operation Tang outside Cadbury's factory in Cumberland St yesterday.
SLA members claim to be serious about saving endangered confectionery.
"We are deadly serious. Confectionery is important. I might only have Sparkles once every two weeks, but I like having that choice," Ms Paterson said.
People should protest more often against changes to food which had sentimental appeal, she said.
The SLA, whose revolutionary heroes included Fidel Castro and Willie Wonky, could not rule out further action if other "icon foods" such as Marmite and Weet-Bix faced the chop.
Although the immediate concern was saving "the big three" - Snifters , Sparkles and Tangy Fruits - members had discussed a shortage of "decent licorice straps".
Whether the demonstration was light-hearted fun, a "Dada" social experiment examining the media response to well managed publicity, or a serious effort to save "the big three", the group showed enthusiasm for a cause is all important - the protest drew a rowdy response from most motorists and passersby for more than an hour from 5.30pm yesterday.
Earlier this week, Cadbury-Schweppes Pty Ltd corporate communications manager Daniel Ellis said since early 2007, the company had increased the number of outlets selling the confectionery, in an unsuccessful bid to lift sales of the products.
Production of the sweets stopped in June.
