Following significant disruption at a dairy farm in Aylesbury, 23 protesters have been detained.
In an effort to halt the delivery of milk, more than 100 members of Animal Rebellion, a branch of Extinction Rebellion, performed a “mass injunction breach” at Arla Aylesbury and at three other dairy facilities in Bridgwater, Severnside, and Droitwich.
The 23 people arrested at the Aylesbury location are still being held, according to Thames Valley Police, who also verified the arrests.
Arla and Muller, two dairy firms, run all four locations.
Protestors stopped and climbed company trucks, scaled milk silos and loading bays from 5.00am today.
Thames Valley Police have confirmed that 23 arrests have been made
The group (pictured) scaled Silos in an attempt to disrupt distribution
At the Aylesbury Arla site the group stopped lorries and climed on top to halt the delivery of milk
The Arla Aylesbury distribution centre process 10% of the UK’s dairy produce
According to Thames Valley Police, the demonstration has hampered their “ability to efficiently handle crimes and protect vulnerable individuals.”
According to Assistant Chief Constable Dennis Murray, the demonstration temporarily disrupted the Arla Foods facility and the A41, but it has since been safely resolved with the arrest of 23 people.
“Our reaction to the protest has compromised our capacity to manage crimes and safeguard vulnerable people across the Thames Valley.”
The Thames Valley Police will take action when protest activity interferes with people going about their lawful business, even if they recognize the right to peaceful protest.
The Arla Aylesbury distribution centre process 10% of the UK’s dairy produce, with all four centres combined distributing around two billion litres of fresh milk every year.
Animal Rebellion have been criticised by other vegans in the past, calling the group’s actions ‘detrimental’ and ‘hypocritical’ following milk being poured all over the floor at Harrods
The group are demanding that the Government ‘rewild the freed-up land and ocean’ and support farmers to move to a plant-based system
‘Those who commit crimes while protesting will always be dealt with robustly by Thames Valley Police.
‘Protestors have now left the site and patrols will continue in the area.’
According to the group, the government must “rewild the freed-up land and seas” and assist farmers in switching to a plant-based diet.
A protester named Steve Bone said today: “Our government ought to accept the solution we are providing.”
The British countryside and all the beautiful beauty lost to animal farming would be restored in a plant-based future.
According to Thames Valley Police, the protestors have now left the site in Aylesbury and patrols will continue in the area
Protestors stopped and climbed company trucks, scaled milk silos and loading bays from 5.00am today
‘Farmers can, and should, be supported in the necessary transition to plant-based production.’
Animal Rebellion have recently been filmed pouring milk over the Harrods Food Hall floor, which drew strong criticism from social media users, calling the stunt ‘foolish’.
Twitter users pointed out that the protestors – who also staged sit ins at other supermarkets and cleared shelves of milk and dairy products – were only making ‘a mess for the cleaners to clean up’ and making it ‘dangerous for disabled customers’.
One said: ‘You didn’t hurt the dairy industry here, you gave them a large new order.
‘You hurt the workers at the store (who may be punished for the cost of the new order), you hurt poor and food insecure customers, you made it dangerous for disabled customers.
‘What is wrong with you?’
Another said: ‘Why do you clowns always make trouble for the working classes, never your own?’
The group have even been slammed by other vegans, who have called their actions at Harrods ‘detrimental’ and ‘hypocritical’.
One account started the conversation saying: ‘Am I the only vegan who was seriously disturbed rather than impressed by the Harrods milk protest?
Other accounts were quick to voice their agreement, with one saying they ‘didn’t get it’ and it made ‘vegans look like fools’.
Another account said: ‘The mere idea of that protest angers me.
‘It’s hypocritical at best.’
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