Fourteen people have been arrested after animal rights activists targeted Michelin Star Restaurant Mana yesterday evening
Just after 7.00pm sixteen smartly-dressed protesters occupied tables reserved for customers of the high-end venue and held up ‘mock menus’ outlining the group’s core demands stylised as a starter, main, and desert.
The protesters, part of Animal Rebellion, are calling for a plant-based food system and mass-rewilding.
A spokesperson said that the restaurant was targeted because it refuses to cater to vegans, has a meat-heavy menu including many of the foods with the largest carbon, and land-use, footprints
Lewis, 29, an IT Engineer, said:
“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.
These expensive meals are often delivered at the expense of exploited workers, animals, and our planet. Simon Martin himself has come under fire for poor treatment of his staff and cruelly decapitating live animals.
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
The fourteen individuals were arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass. They have been released on bail pending further enquiries.
Superintendent Ian Jones of GMP’s City of Manchester district, said: “Though this wasn’t a large-scale protest, we understand it caused some disruption in and around the area of Blossom Street last night so would like to thank members of the public and businesses for their patience whilst we responded to the incident in the most appropriate way.
“GMP respects the right of people to protest peacefully and so will always, in the first instance, engage with organisers and demonstrators to facilitate this – as per national guidance.
“It is, however, our responsibility to prevent and investigate crime, and keep people safe. In this case, and following engagement attempts, the most appropriate course of action was to make arrests.”
