Vegan protest forms HUMAN CHAIN around turkeys in Waitrose leaving shoppers STUNNED

VEGANS formed a human chain around the turkey aisle at a Brighton Waitrose as stunned shoppers quickly grew disgruntled.

The Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) group held up bloodied plates and placards saying: “Humane murder is a lie”, exclaiming “You can’t shop in peace when you’re buying death.” Police were called as the group stormed the store and tried to prevent shoppers from purchasing steak, mince, chicken, turkey and other meats. A protestor with a loud speaker boomed: “Animals are not things. Lives are not commodities. It's time to end these cruel and bloody traditions. Take the death off your plate this Christmas.”

“This Christmas time you might be worried about what presents to buy and how to organise family get togethers, but the animals are facing carnage.

“Around ten million turkeys are slaughtered this time of year so they can end up on your Christmas table in the United Kingdom.

“Catching and transporting birds can cause considerable pain and distress.

“Many birds may be injured whilst being removed from sheds and put into crates. Poor handling frequently results in bruising, skin grazing and broken blood vessels.

The group of vegans blocked access to meats today in a Waitrose in Brighton

The group of vegans blocked access to meats today in a Waitrose in Brighton (Image: Capital Brighton News)

The vegan protest happened earlier today

The vegan protest happened earlier today (Image: Facebook - DxE)

“Loaded into trucks, piled next to their friends and not knowing where they are headed, no chance of escape.

“Transport to slaughter can be long with birds experiencing extremes of temperature, stress suffocation and shock.”

The store security staff turn up and one appears to say: “Outside the store is different, inside the store it's people's business and livelihoods.”

The same group invaded a steak-house in Brighton and played animal slaughter noises to diners earlier this month.

A spokesman for Waitrose said: "We pride ourselves on exceptional animal welfare, with our turkeys farmed to high standards at farms we know and trust."