On Saturday March 11 2023, hundreds of people all over the UK – including Manchester – will be protesting outside their local Costa Coffee shops to take a stand against the dairy industry. This will be the second nationwide protest, following the immense success of the 28 January Day of Action that saw a huge turnout.
Organised by the UK’s leading vegan charity Viva!, the Day of Action will see activists assemble outside Costa Coffee stores to educate members of the public about the modern dairy industry and encourage them to opt for plant-based alternatives such as oat, soya or almond milk.
Protests will be taking place in 40 towns and cities across the UK, including – but not limited to – Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow and Manchester. Campaigners will be handing out leaflets, holding placards and having friendly, open conversations with customers about why and how to choose plant-based milks.
Activists will stand outside Manchester Costa Coffee (124 Market Street, Manchester M1 1WA) between 1pm and 4pm.
The Days of Action follow Viva!’s recent undercover investigation into Home Farm; a Red Tractor assured dairy farm contracted to Freshways, who supply milk to Costa Coffee.
At Home Farm, investigators for Viva! Campaigns discovered cows that were emaciated, lame and struggling to walk, while others were manhandled, slapped and shoved. Some cows were visibly injured or in shackles.
Calves are separated from their mothers shortly after birth and one sick calf was filmed being force-fed by tube whilst lying down; this is against guidelines as it can cause death. Despite this shocking discovery and the mountain of evidence indicating breaches of animal welfare laws, the farm denies any wrongdoing, and Red Tractor claims that Home Farm abides by their standards.
Viva!’s founder and director Juliet Gellatley said: “After seeing first-hand the despicable conditions that these poor cows and calves are being kept in at Home Farm, I knew Viva! had to act. It was heart-rending to see these gentle, curious animals being treated so badly. Calves, desperate to suckle, sucked my fingers because they had been wrenched from their mothers when they were just hours old. We’re taking to the streets to educate people about the dairy industry: one that profits from exploitation and suffering. We’ll be having judgement-free, positive conversations with Costa Coffee customers, helping them see that dairy alternatives are delicious, and don’t involve suffering.”
Viva! is the UK’s largest vegan campaigning charity. To find out more or sign up to attend, go to viva.org.uk/costa
