Midsummer House – Valentines Protest

While Midsummer House’s customers may have been celebrating Valentines Day, activists held a demo speaking out for the ducks and geese who don’t get the chance to relax and enjoy a free life like we and they do. For animals across the world Valentines Day is just another day of abuse and exploitation.

Around 13 campaigners were outside the restaurant demonstrating against Midsummer House’s sale of Foie Gras. Foie-Gras is commonly produced by force-feeding ducks and geese until their livers swell painfully.

A photographic journalist came and took photographs of the protesters. He stated that he had been tipped off that something was going to happen. After taking a few shots of the group he left. The journalist was probably hoping for a bigger story after seeing the one police car, one police van and total of 4 police officers that joined the campaigners.

After one of the officers decided to take offence at the fact the megaphone siren was on (despite the fact it was pointing away from the restaurant) the campaigners were issued with a Section 14 ordering them to move over to the path. A police officer also told a campaigner that it would be viewed as harassment if the chants were directed at Midsummer House, which meant the activists had to face away from the business.

The campaigners continued with the demo and we believe there were very few customers at Midsummer House. Maybe it’s the fact that Midsummer House sells a product that is considered so unethical its production is banned in the UK. Maybe it’s the fact there were 4 police officers outside the restaurant or maybe it’s just that Midsummer House can’t even attract large numbers customers on Valentines Day, who knows?

The campaigners will not give in and will continue to protest against Midsummer House’s sale of Foie Gras. Please join us if you can every Saturday (unless campaign site says otherwise) 12 – 3 P.M. outside Midsummer House, Midsummer Common, Cambridge.