Female vegan activist punched in the face by customer during animal rights protest at Pizza Express
A female vegan activist was punched by a male customer at a Pizza Express after a group of protestors entered the restaurant in Brighton Sunday night.
Animal rights campaigners from Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) are seen in the footage of the incident storming the Italian pizza chain with pictures of animals emblazoned with the words "I want to live," Independent reports.
The activists chanted slogans like, "It's not food, it's violence" and "Not your mum, not your milk", as one woman addressed the diners with a loudspeaker.
A man wearing a green jacket is then seen confronting a woman among the protestors, telling her, "You're scaring these people, f*** off now."
He is seen pushing the woman away before she turns around to confront him, prompting him to punch her in the face. However, the protest continues as the man is held back by other diners. A woman is then seen addressing the protestors as they hold up placards advocating "Rose's Law", which reportedly hopes to create a bill of rights of animals.
"What do we want? Animal liberation. When do we want it? Now," the activists are heard chanting as they eventually leave the establishment.
DxE Brighton shared the video on their Facebook page Sunday night.
"We must stand together against speciesism, but some are not ready to hear our message of equality and justice," a spokesperson wrote alongside the post. "Today, whilst bringing this message to diners at the chain restaurant, we were violently attacked. It is not surprising that those consuming violence are quick to partake in it too."
Speciesism is the notion that human beings are superior to animals. "This kind of response will not deter us, we will not back down in the face of repression; not by the public, not by the police, nor the industries they protect," the spokesperson added.
Following the incident at Pizza Express, the activists proceeded to the Brighton Town Hall to continue their protest demanding an animal bill of rights.
"Incidents involving animal rights activists at several restaurants in Brighton on Sunday evening, in which protesters with loud hailers chanted slogans at diners, have been reported to police," a Sussex police spokesman said. "It was alleged that at one establishment a protester was punched by a customer, and at another activists were thrown to the ground.
"Several activists have chained themselves to the exterior of Brighton town hall," he continued. "Police are investigating and are meanwhile monitoring the situation. Currently, no arrests have been made but if criminal acts are found to have taken place, appropriate action will be taken."