Vegan activists invade McDonald's in protest against 'speciesism' before security guards drag them out in front of stunned diners

  • Vegan activists filmed themselves chanting for animal rights in a McDonald's
  • Footage shows security guard dragging one on the floor and pushing them
  • It was filmed at the fast food chain's store in Brighton, East Sussex 

Vegan activists invaded a McDonald's in protest against 'speciesism' before security guards dragged them out in front of stunned diners.

The animal rights protesters filmed themselves marching into the fast-food shop in Brighton, East Sussex, before the guard tries to push them out, destroys their poster and drags one along the floor by his foot.

The members of Direct Action Everywhere Brighton held up a placard reading 'it's not food, it's violence' and chanted for 'animal liberation' while a customer told them that the food 'tastes lovely'.

Vegan activists have invaded a McDonald's in Brighton to protest against 'speciesism'
They were dragged out of the fast food restaurant by a security guard in front of stunned diners

Vegan activists have invaded a McDonald's in Brighton to protest against 'speciesism'. They were dragged out by security guards in front of stunned diners

The activists held up a placard that branded the fast food restaurant's meals 'violence' as the group chanted for 'animal liberation'

The activists held up a placard that branded the fast food restaurant's meals 'violence' as the group chanted for 'animal liberation'

Footage shows the vegan protesters walk into the restaurant and hold up a placard that brands the restaurant's food as 'violence'.

The group, numbering about five individuals, then chanted for 'animal liberation' and encouraged diners to think about what they were eating before a security guard dragged three members out of the restaurant.

One was shown being shoved against the wall before being dragged along the floor by his foot.

The guard also destroys the protesters sign and turns to the rest to tell them to 'get out' of the shop. 

Direct Action Everywhere claims this is the third time they have targeted this McDonald's store this year.

One of the male activists was filmed saying: 'We are here today to draw attention to speciesism and the normalised violence that is happening here right now.

'We say we are a nation of animal lovers, yet we abuse, mutilate, exploit and kill non-human animals every single day.' 

Video from the restaurant, which the activists have protested at three times this year, showed an activist being dragged across the floor
The video showed the security guard pulling the man by his leg

Video from the restaurant, which the activists have protested at three times this year, showed an activist being dragged across the floor

Vegan protester Dylan Roffey, 24, wore a pigs mask and covered the floor in fake blood in May to protest against the restaurant's treatment of animals

Vegan protester Dylan Roffey, 24, wore a pigs mask and covered the floor in fake blood in May to protest against the restaurant's treatment of animals 

A DxE Brighton spokesman said: 'It is no surprise that when attempting to peacefully disrupt violence towards innocent animals, we are met with so much aggression and violence.

'This place only exists because the customers are kept in the dark about the abuse that occurs to the animals who are held captive inside dark sheds.

'We will keep returning to places that objectify animals and take their rights from them until animals get protection under law and the justice they deserve.'

A McDonald’s spokesman said: 'We can confirm that an incident took place in our London Road restaurant.

'The safety and security of our employees and customers is our absolute priority.

'The restaurant remained open and we are assisting police with their enquiries.'

A Vegan protester wore a pigs mask and covered the floor in fake blood at the same McDonald's in May to protest against the fast food chain's treatment of animals. 

Dylan Roffey, 24, was one of around twenty activists who stormed the store and was removed by police officers after they were called.

She was convicted of causing criminal damage at Brighton Magistrates' court in September and ordered to pay £50 compensation to McDonald's as well as £250 court costs and £85 victim surcharge.

Vegan protesters pictured outside the same store in May holding up placards reading 'I want to live' and wearing pig masks

Vegan protesters pictured outside the same store in May holding up placards reading 'I want to live' and wearing pig masks 

The police were called to the restaurant during the protest and one member of the group was arrested

The police were called to the restaurant during the protest and one member of the group was arrested

The McDonald's on London Road in Brighton has been targeted by vegan protesters three times this year

The McDonald's on London Road in Brighton has been targeted by vegan protesters three times this year

The activist has also been sentenced to 150 hours unpaid work for spitting on a woman at Brighton station after noticing that she was wearing a £750 Canada Goose fur coat.

She told FEMAIL in September that the court's decision was 'ridiculous' and accused the legal system of 'wasting public money'.

'I think it's ridiculous that people's time and money was spent on people who are trying to save lives, instead of doing something about people who are profiting from people being killed,' she said, referring to the animals.

'I don't think people should be arrested for protests, or for having basic compassion, and that thinking that killing non-human people is an unacceptable thing to do.'

The footage was taken on Saturday last week. 

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