Animal rights organisation Animal Rebellion has dyed Trafalgar Square’s fountains a shade of red in protest of animal farming.
Animal rights organisation Animal Rebellion, in an act of protest against “climate-destructive and exploitative industries” and meat-eating (which it calls the reason behind the coronavirus pandemic), has dyed Trafalgar Square, in Westminster, Central London, blood red.
This was to replicate the blood on the UK government’s hands from animal farming. In a tweet, the organisation is demanding that the government prevent future pandemics by ending animal farming and transitioning the nation to a plant-based food system.
Animal Rebellion have now dyed the Trafalgar Square fountains red, symbolising the blood that is on the hands of the UK Government. We are here today to demand that the government prevent future pandemics by ending animal farming and transitioning to a plant-based food system. pic.twitter.com/FAA6tW1wn1
— Animal Rebellion (@RebelsAnimal) July 11, 2020
After colouring the water, protestors then stood in the bloody water, and throughout the plaza, held signs and placards. Some signs read “People Over Profit” and “The Government has blood on their hands”; some campaigners dressed up in costumes. They also dyed their hands red to symbolise the consequences of the government’s actions. Police officers then proceeded to escort the demonstrators out of the fountains.
Stephanie Zupan, an Animal Rebellion representative, said: “The Government must now begin a transition towards a plant-based food system, or risk future zoonotic pandemics of catastrophic proportions.”
Another spokesperson, Kieran Blyth, noted: “These unsatisfactory and dangerous measures will only increase the risk of future pandemics. The Government are playing with the potential of tens of thousands more deaths.”
Since the incident, two protestors have been arrested under suspicion for criminal damage and remain in custody, as tweeted by the London Metropolitan Police. This demonstration was also coordinated with protests in 20 other cities globally, including Brighton and New York.
The organisation is now calling for people to join the next rebellion on September 1.
Animal Rebellion and Animal Save Movement also took part in another protest last week with farmers across the UK against the Agricultural Bill to protect the livelihoods of farmers. They had a vehicle decorated with signs and banners in Westminster, London.
