A group of vegan activists from Animal Rebellion (AR) held a sit-in protest at a McDonald's demanding that the fast-food chain does more to reduce its impact on the climate. Branded a 'McSit-in', members from AR took their own lunches and occupied areas of an Exeter branch of the fast-food chain for three hours, insisting that the McDonald's chain transitions to a fully plant-based menu.
The protest follows a similar sit-in held in the city last summer as well as in other towns and cities nationwide. The Exeter-based activists are part of the AR movement that says it uses uses non-violent civil disobedience to bring about a transition to "a just and sustainable plant-based food system".
They believe this is necessary to halt mass extinction, alleviate the worst effects of climate breakdown and ensure justice for animals. Phil Sleigh, a member of AR Devon, said: “The final part of the latest IPCC report told us that we are in a ‘now or never’ situation, and that emissions must stop rising by 2025. That’s 30 months away!
"The meat and dairy industries are responsible for 80-90 per cent of Amazon deforestation, at least 18 per cent of global emissions... to save ourselves and the future of our children, we must start transitioning towards a plant-based food system.”
The Animal Rebellion group was supported by the Exeter Extinction Rebellion drummers, who drew a crowd by playing outside the High Street branch.
Mr Sleigh said: “McDonald’s and the wider intensive animal agriculture industry is responsible for huge levels of deforestation, and is a major driver of climate change. Investigations have shown that McDonald’s livestock feed comes from deforested areas of Brazil and Bolivia.
“We want to be clear that we are not criticising individual diet choices. We are targeting the McDonald’s corporation, and not its customers or staff. We want McDonald’s to adopt a more responsible business model – one that is better for our planet and also for people’s health. You can barely taste the difference between a plant-based burger and a beef burger, but the difference in impact on our planet is enormous.
“As the biggest fast food corporation in the world, McDonald’s has a responsibility to lead the way to a more sustainable future." McDonald's was contacted for comment.
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