The protesters were in force the day after a blockade was formed outside a McDonald’s burger factory in Scunthorpe – later update – until police intervened and broke up the protest on Friday evening.
Animal Rebellion went to OSI Food Solutions on Luneburg Way Thursday morning and pledged to stay there until McDonald’s commits to converting entirely to plant-based products by 2025.
The protesters camped there overnight and were still strong at the time of reporting on Friday lunchtime, more than 24 hours after the initial setup. Later that afternoon, the protesters were removed after being arrested.
FIRST arrests (real this time): After 40 hours and 6 million burgers banned, the Animal Rebellion rooftop crew has finally been removed from the top of the Big Mac factory. Power the rebels who fight for a #PlantBasedFoodSystem! pic.twitter.com/6eJMHyTqGU
– Animal Rebellion (@RebelsAnimal) July 16, 2021
The activists say the Scunthorpe factory produces three million beef patties for McDonald’s every day, and that is why it is “closing”.
According to Animal Rebellion, around 50 people are camping out there, another 20 will be locked up as part of the blockade.
We closed the only factory in the UK that makes burgers for @McDonaldsUK. Every day 3 million patties are produced / shipped from this location. This is a call to all supporters. Come down to:
OSI food solutions,
DN15 8LP 📍
Bring your tent ⛺
Take part in the blockade 🚫🚚 pic.twitter.com/XcNJ8N1urv
– Animal Rebellion (@RebelsAnimal) July 15, 2021
Activists put up giant bamboo structures and a giant Happy Meal Box to block supplies to the factory, and police tried to move the sculptures, but to no avail.
Over 24 hours later, rebels are still at the factory. | Photo: Animal Rebellion
Things took a rather bizarre turn on Friday when, according to Animal Rebellion, an unmarked police car joined the road blockade and requested a tow truck to move the vehicle.
A road block caused traffic outside the factory. | Photo: Animal Rebellion
Two protesters have also made it to the roof of the factory and police are trying to shut them down safely.
And there were also reports of people organizing counter-protests and eating McDonald’s meals alongside the demonstration.
A statement by the activists said they were willing to stay “as long as necessary”, even if there were massive disruptions.
The protest comes as part of calls to transition to a plant-based food system, and a spokesman for the blockade told The Lincolnite on Thursday that the plan is intended to disrupt the burger supply chain.
Harley McDonald-Eckersall said, “We plan to be here for a while. Our plan is to pause the McDonald’s supply chain for as long as possible to send the plant-based message.
“We’re asking McDonald’s to commit to being vegetable by 2025. We will do everything we can to get our message across. “
| Photo: Animal Rebellion
A Humberside Police spokesman said: “Officials remain in attendance at a demonstration of around 50 people at a food distribution center on Luneburg Way in Scunthorpe.
“Two protesters have gone to the roof of the building and we are negotiating with them to bring them down safely.
“Officials are present to ensure that people can go about their daily business freely and to protect the right of individuals to exercise their right to peaceful protest.
“The streets in and around the industrial park remain open, but we ask you to avoid the area unless it comes for work purposes.”
The Lincolnite is still waiting for an answer from OSI Food Solutions and McDonald’s.