THE ANIMAL Rebellion protest at Droitwich’s Muller Dairy is into a third day, police have confirmed.
Officers from West Mercia Police have been at the site in Hampton Lovett since Sunday when protestors gathered in a bid to prevent milk and other dairy products leaving.
Speaking today (Tuesday), Ch Insp Gareth Morgan said: “Our officers are there to facilitate a peaceful protest and ensure that traffic is able to move freely.
“We respect the right to peaceful protest but we will take proportionate action when the law is broken.
“Those who commit crimes while protesting will be dealt with fairly but robustly by West Mercia Police.”
The latest figures – released yesterday – showed that 34 people had been arrested in total – mostly for aggravated trespassing offences.
The majority of those arrested remain in police custody, while seven people have been released on bail.
Police were first called to the site around 5.35am on Sunday (September 4) where a significant number of people gained unauthorised access, causing damage on entry.
So what is the protest about?
The action was part of Animal Rebellion’s demands for a plant-based future, and campaigners are urging government support for farmers and fishing communities to transition to a plant-based food system.
Protests outside the Muller factory
Rowena Field, an Animal Rebellion Activist who travelled from York to be at the factory, told the Standard yesterday she hoped the protest would ignite change and government action to the climate crisis.
She said: “The crisis is so imminent – the climate, environmental crisis – that the disruption that will cause is so much more than what this will cause.
“It would be nice not to feel the need to do this, but nothing is being done quickly enough.”
The group claimed they would be there for ‘as long as it takes’.
Muller UK and Ireland’s response
A spokesperson for Müller UK and Ireland said: “We are disappointed to be targeted by a small number of activists who do not represent the 96 per cent of adults in Britain who choose milk every week, and we will ensure that supplies are maintained.
“Dairy is affordable and packed with nutrients that benefit our bodies.
“During a cost of living crisis, it is wrong to try to prevent it from reaching families, including vulnerable members of society.”
The Droitwich Müller site is one of four sites across the UK affected by Animal Rebellion protests.
