Footage shows fed-up Tesco shoppers clashing with animal rights activists who blocked a meat aisle.
Six members of Animal Rising Kent – a group campaigning for a transition to a plant-based food system – staged the protest in the Ashford supermarket.
But customers were left frustrated, with one pushing an activist in the head as they stepped over him.
Police were called to the Crooksfoot branch but no arrests were made.
Wearing matching white overalls, the protesters held up placards bearing messages such as ‘animal farming is ruining the planet’.
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In the footage, one shopper is heard saying: “Move out of the way, please!
“I respect your beliefs, but I need to do shopping for my family. I haven’t got time to walk around this.
“Why are you taking away my rights to do my shopping? You go on about animals – you’re causing me distress.”
Another walks his trolley right up to the group and says: “Please can you move out of my way?”
The footage then shows a different customer push one of the activists in the head as she steps over him.
A member of staff from Tesco is heard telling the group that shoppers are getting “a bit aggy” and the police have been called. He asks the group to move but they stay put.
The protesters say they “peacefully occupied the meat aisle” for roughly two hours on Saturday morning.
They say the action was intended to highlight the cruel treatment that animals can face when farmed for food.
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Rob Smith, 52, a warehouse worker from Ashford, took part in the protest and said Tesco often promotes its ‘right to roam’ scheme, which gets chicken meat from RSPCA-assured farms. But he claims this does not mean the animals are treated better than at other farms.
“Britain is a nation of animal lovers, which is why I was there because I know that other people care for animals just like I do. Instead, the best way to care for animals is to eat plant-based food – something accessible and cheap, and good for you too.”
Caitlin Brown, 19, from Ashford, also took part in the action and said: “We all love animals, which is why we need to find a way to live that is kinder.
“We know that a plant-based diet is accessible to all people, according to modern medical research. And plant-based food is better for you, whilst not harming animals, so it seems like a no-brainer. Britons love animals, so we need to act on that love, and stop paying for them to be killed and eaten.”
A police spokesperson said officers were called to the supermarket at 10.49am following reports that a small group of people was staging a protest.
“Officers attended and spoke to those present,” they said.
“The group left the store as they had planned to at around 12.30pm. No arrests were made.”
Tesco and the RSPCA have also been contacted for comment.
Robert Johnson is a UK-based business writer specializing in finance and entrepreneurship. With an eye for market trends and a keen interest in the corporate world, he offers readers valuable insights into business developments.
