Victory: Midsummer House Goes Foie Gras Free!

Proof that direct action works!

Is Midsummer House right to remove foie gras from its menu?

Yes (47.1%)


No (52.9%)


Total Votes 543 Closing date 19-Mar-2008

The mood here is a bit morbid. We feel as if we have been pushed into this

"In the early hours of Sunday morning, ALF activists arrived at Midsummer House. This disgusting restaurant, situated on Chesterton Road, Cambridge, continues to support the cruel foie gras industry by selling pate de foie gras.

By profitting from the torture of ducks and geese for an unnecessary and unhealthy 'delicacy', Midsummer House became a target for the ALF.

Slogans like 'Stop Selling Foie Gras' and 'Ban Foie Gras' were among those spray-painted on to the walls and windows of the building. Activists glued the locks and applied paint-stripper to door and window frames and varnished wood. Glass-etching fluid was also employed to damage the windows.

We hope this action will discourage Midsummer House from selling foie gras. Anyone who chooses several hours of scrubbing over a few minutes of altering a menu and calling a supplier really does need their head checking.

Until all are free, Keep on fighting.
Cambridge ALF


Midsummer House
66 Chesterton Road
Cambridge
CB4 1EP
01223 369299"

Source:  http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/02/391873.html


Additional quotes sent to the Cambridge News (a different press release):

"Because of the continued support by Midsummer House of such a vile industry, direct action had to be taken.

"We hope this is the only action needed to persuade the restaurant to stop selling foie gras.

"It's a simple thing to do. If not, the direct action will continue."

Source:  http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/02/391793.html

Well done! Ive been following the midsummer house campaign and glad to see you have won a hard fought victory - if national results, and results in my town are anything to go by, foie gras is well on the way out.

Hint - if there are other fG selling resteraunts in town, you can now point out to them that you toppled the most established resteraunt in the city - maybe invite the other resteraunts to phone midsummer house to hear their experiences.

On a cautionary note - well done for your great work and dedication, but maybe it would be best to call yourself something other than 'Cambridge ALF' (Just plain old ALF for example). From a security point of view, not giving any clues to where the activists who trashed Midsummer House come from is important. If just claimed by the ALF, the activists could have flown in from spain to do the action for all the pigs know. But by sigining off 'Cambridge ALF', the clue has been given that the cell is operating out of that city, and realistically, there can't be hundreds of AR activists in Cambridge (or any city for that matter). Anonymity is the ALFs best weapon, and they need to give as few clues to who they are as possible.
On the other hand, it is more than possible that this cell is not operating from Cambridge and is just caling themselves 'Cambridge ALF' because of the locality of their action. This is also tactically not smart, as it could bring extra repression on local activists.

Overall, I think my main message is that in the interests of the safety of the cell responsible for the attack and the local activists, just plain old ALF, or any other non location specific moniker would be the most appropriate name to use when claiming responsibility for these brilliant and effective attacks.

Well done all - keep up the good work!

Is Midsummer House right to remove foie gras from its menu?


Yes (85.1%)


No (14.9%)


Total Votes 2856 Closing date 19-Mar-2008

-------------------------

This result may suggest that human-kind can raise its head a little higher.

Keep voting YES for human dignity.

Like these guys:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobster_Liberation_Front
Or more recently the Boar Liberation Front:  http://www.directaction.info/news_nov25_07.htm

Not that the name would be any different to ALF....but there ya go.
Or even Force-Feeding Liberation Front? Anything goes, they all have the name impact.


In response to the name Cambridge ALF being used...

"This is also tactically not smart.. as it could bring extra repression on local activists."

>> To be honest, repression towards local activists will come regardless of whether the ALF claim it on a national or local scale. Repression is usually also present even when the ALF don't claim the action at all!

The question is, why would local animal abusers be more annoyed that their place was trashed by "unknown" activists that claim they come from far away, or near by, when they don't know who anyway? They will take it out on whoever they can.....and always will.


"On the other hand, it is more than possible that this cell is not operating from Cambridge and is just caling themselves 'Cambridge ALF' because of the locality of their action."

>> ....Bingo!

Bottom line is, the businesses don't know, and they will always pick on the locally known activists! And so will the cops....


Just rememeber to Act Now - Fight Back; and you'll work things out.
Whoever you are, whatever your doing.

I would like to draw peoples attention to the gastronomic delights of L'ortolan restaurant near Reading. They have a website which thoughtfully lists their menus. I'm a bit useless organising evenings out as I don't drive and its a bit hard to get to otherwise but bon appetit to others...

That poll result obviously pissed off the paper as they've now taken the poll down!

Well done Alfie - it worked - wish they had a number I could call, cos there are some places I know of that need the same treatment

I know it dont work like that though - pity.

Donald why not have a go at them yourself? read up on activistsecurity.org first about masking up etc and then go for it.