Exeter activists demand McDonald's goes veggie

'Animal Rebellion' stages sit-in

A protest group called Animal Rebellion held a sit-in at Exeter McDonalds, demanding that the burger chain stops selling its traditional burgers and uses plant-based replacements.

Macdonalds does offer vegetarian and vegan options - notably the McPlant, a vegan burger - but that's not proved sufficient for a new troop of local activists, who don't want customers to be able to choose meat.

They called their protest on Saturday a McSit-in, and brought their own lunches and occupied areas of the restaurant for three hours.

Normally people would be thrown out for that kind of behaviour, but businesses and the police are often loathed to make a scene. 

The Animal Rebellion group say McDonalds must take "responsibility for the destruction they say it causes on our planet" and they want "a just and sustainable plant-based food system."  

They believe "a plant-based food system is necessary to halt mass extinction, alleviate the worst effects of climate breakdown and ensure justice for animals."

There's a lot at steak for this angry mob (courtesy: Animal Rebellion)

Phil Sleigh, who describes himself as a local climate activist, said: “The meat and dairy industries are responsible for 80 to 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.”  

Last year, McDonald’s UK & Ireland launched its Plan for Change initiative, which sets a target to become a net-zero business in the UK and Ireland by 2040, and globally by 2050.  

In December, the company unveiled its first ‘net-zero restaurant’ in Market Drayton, which is powered by on-site solar panels and wind turbines, with kerbstones made of recycled plastic bottles and a drive-thru made with recycled tyres.  The building will be verified as net-zero emissions by the UK Green Building Council, however, this only measures emissions related to the building itself. 

Animal Rebellion want a meat-free McDonalds.

Catherine Cannon, of Animal Rebellion Devon, said: “This year’s Veganuary was bigger than ever, and we know that over 40 per cent of Britons are trying to reduce their meat consumption.  Plant-based food is the future, we want McDonald’s to show that they recognise this and commit to going plant-based”.  

The Animal Rebellion group were supported by the Exeter Extinction Rebellion drummers, who drew a crowd by playing outside the High Street branch.