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Vegan protestors filmed a butcher swinging meat in their faces during a peaceful protest at the end of last month.
According to activists, the protest at Kirkgate Market in Leeds was intended to be a nonviolent, with activists holding signs illustrating animal abuse.
But the butcher lashed out in what one activist described as ‘abuse’ – leading protestors being removed from the area by security and traders.
Attack
The attack was filmed by vegan Ginette Lindstrom who told Plant Based News that the activists wanted to get the truth out about animal agriculture.
Speaking to mainstream media, she said: “The abuse started immediately as we had turned the corner and become visible to the butchers. Instantly we were shouted at to ‘get out’ and ‘f*ck off’, along with other slurs as we remained silently walking down the shop.
“I felt it was important to start recording live to capture the moment and so that people could see that we remained peaceful at all times and in case of physical assault or further verbal abuse. The butcher threw meat at the protesters.
“The butcher physically assaulted me with the animals body parts. He pushed them in my face and into the face of two others and forced it to the mouth of another who got animal blood on her cheek.”
Threats
According to Lindstrom, traders threatened to smash up their filming equipment if they didn’t leave or stop recording.
As a result of the footage being shared via mainstream media outlets, as well as online, the group has received both support and pushback. “The reaction has been mixed as we expected but this post has really highlighted some extremely twisted and disturbed individuals and promoters for the agricultural industry,” said Lindstrom.
“We have received physical and sexual threats and a lot of abuse in general. However we have also received a lot of positive support especially via inbox from people who haven’t wanted to comment on the posts due to the behaviour and language of those promoting and in favour of eating animals.”
