Animal Rebellion protesters pour out milk at Harrods at a protest in July
(Picture: Animal Rebellion)Vegan activists have vowed to disrupt the supply of milk to UK supermarkets for the first two weeks of September in an anti-dairy protest.
Animal Rebellion, a group of animal rights activists linked to Extinction Rebellion, said it would take action in supermarkets across the UK, affecting millions of customers, from Saturday.
It claims it has hundreds of volunteers who are prepared to take direct action to prevent people buying dairy milk.
The escalation of the protest comes after demonstrators with the group blockaded supermarkets in London earlier this year and also poured milk onto the floor of Harrods.
In a statement, the group said: “We have spent months trying all the proper channels to engage with the Government on the scientific consensus to transition to a plant-based future, but they have chosen to ignore us.
“We are left with no choice but to step into civil resistance to pressure government action to preserve our futures.
“We are announcing our intentions in advance so the British public to prepare for a disruption to the milk supply this September.
“We apologise for any stress this may cause during a cost of living crisis, but the government are sleepwalking every single one of us into poverty, misery, and climate and ecological collapse. We cannot sit by and let this happen.”
Other direct action taken by the group include disrupting the Trooping the Colour ceremony at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and invading the track at the Epsom derby.
Activists have also blockaded factories and restaurants associated with the diary and meat industries.
Some of those involved in the group have been linked to other eco-groups known for their direct action tactics, such as Just Stop Oil.
The chief executive for the Dairy Council, told the Guardian in response to the group’s plans: “It’s difficult to comment upfront before any events take place, but we are very disappointed at Animal Rebellion’s planned action, which could cause totally unnecessary disruption for businesses and consumers and is unhelpful during a cost of living crisis. We’d urge them to rethink their actions.”
