Vegans block access for customers wanting milk in four UK cities

Animal Rebellion are today continuing to protest at a number of key milk production sites

A group of vegan activists targeted supermarkets in four UK cities and blocked customers' access to cow's milk in the dairy aisles in what was the start of a series of protest actions that continue today. Demonstrators from Animal Rebellion appeared at numerous supermarkets last week for their "anti-dairy" protest armed with signs reading ‘Plant-Based Future’ and ‘Rewild our Land’, and attempted to stop shoppers from purchasing milk. They entered a Whole Foods in London and Marks & Spencer’s stores in Southampton, Birmingham, and Manchester, Metro reported. Animal Rebellion wrote on Facebook on Saturday: "Supermarkets in 4 different cities have had their dairy aisles blocked by Animal Rebellion supporters! "A bottle of cows’ milk is representative of everything wrong with our food system. From animal exploitation to environmental degradation, it is a cruel, inefficient and unnecessary product." They added: "It’s time to stop the supply of dairy. We can’t let this continue any longer - not when the answer is so simple - a #PlantBasedFuture." In a statement, the group expanded on their reasoning behind the protests, saying 'millions of consumers will be unable to buy dairy milk' once it begins taking action in the first two weeks of September. "We have spent months trying all the proper channels to engage with the government on the scientific consensus to transition to a plant-based future, but they have chosen to ignore us," Animal Rebellion’s statement said. "We have been left with no choice but to step into civil resistance to pressure government action to preserve our futures. "We are announcing our intentions in advance so the British public [can] prepare for a disruption to the milk supply this September." The group apologised for "any stress this may cause during a cost of living crisis, but the government are sleepwalking every single one of us into poverty, misery, and climate and ecological collapse". "We cannot sit by and let this happen." The protests continued across the weekend and into this week. On Sunday, the group said on Facebook that it blocked trucks from leaving milk four production sites, "with supporters climbing onto trucks. And on Monday announced that its supporters had entered Arla’s Aylesbury site and Muller’s Droitwich and Bridgwater sites "for the second day in a row". "Tyres of trucks were let down and pipes filled with expanding foam. All of the people that are taking nonviolent action are doing so in the name of animal and climate justice to demand that the government supports farmers and fishing communities to move away from animal farming and fishing as part of an urgent and immediate transition to a plant-based food system. "Today, the new British prime minister will be announced. This is an opportunity for the government to take the steps necessary for all life toward a liveable future." Animal Rebellion are well known for promoting a plant-based lifestyle and using extreme measures to get their message across. In July, members emptied full bottles of milk all over the floor at the Harrods Food Hall in London as part of the 'anti-dairy' protest. https://twitter.com/RebelsAnimal/status/1553360475710267394 "While Animal Rebellion are promoting an environmentally-friendly and ethical cause, many took great offense to the stunt and slammed the group for wasting produce and sending the wrong message during the cost of living crisis. "How do you tell people who rely on food banks & a small budget to feed their family when your ideology dictates they must not buy dairy, or meat?" one person wrote. While another pointed out: "I don't know who needs to hear this, but wasting food is (a) mindless vandalism, and (b) not the way to win hearts and minds." Related Links

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