Police have been called to Michelin-starred restaurant Mana after protestors from Animal Rebellion targeted the venue.
Just after 7pm this evening (Saturday December 3), 16 supporters of the animal and climate justice movement entered the restaurant and occupied tables reserved for customers. The demonstrators held mock menus aloft with the courses outlining the group's demands, such as "support for farmers and fishing communities to transition to a plant-based food system".
A spokesman for Animal Rebellion clamed that Mana was targeted because "it refuses to cater to vegans" and has "a meat-heavy menu". One of the protestors, Lewis, added: “These exclusive restaurants highlight a wider problem in our society. Whilst 2 million people are relying on food banks in the UK during this cost-of-living crisis, high-end restaurants are catering to a wealthy minority with meals worth hundreds of pounds.
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"Instead of endorsing this broken system, we need to support farmers and fishing communities in a transition to a food system that works for us all. A plant-based food system that would feed more people using far less land, freeing up space for crucial rewilding to drawn-down carbon from the atmosphere and reverse biodiversity loss.”
Photographs taken from outside Mana show four police vehicles parked outside the restaurant, while images from inside show officers talking to restaurant staff. Manchester Evening News understands that a number of protestors were removed from the restaurant by police. Mana and GMP have been contacted for comment.
The protest is Animal Rebellions second today after activists were physically removed from Salt Bae's London steakhouse by staff earlier in the day. Demonstrators entered Nusr-Et in the upmarket district of Knightsbridge and were eventually carried out, to the applause of diners.
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