In an unexpected event, animal rights activists took over the famous Michelin-star restaurant Adam’s in Birmingham, raising awareness about animal cruelty. Ten protesters managed to enter the restaurant at 7pm on Saturday, May 20, by tricking the staff.
The surprised restaurant employees, working at the upscale Waterloo Street eatery run by chef Adam Stokes, tried to convince the activists to leave but eventually called the police for assistance. To ensure the safety of the diners, those already seated were moved to different areas away from the protesters, who silently sat with banners displaying messages against animal cruelty.
This wasn’t the first time the group, previously known as Animal Rebellion, targeted Adam’s. The protest at Adam’s was part of a larger campaign that focused on high-end restaurants in cities like London, Glasgow, and Bristol.
Animal Rights activists aim to encourage people to reconsider their relationship with animals and nature by advocating for a plant-based food system. They specifically chose Adam’s in Birmingham because their menu heavily relies on meat, including items like beef, caviar, and quail, with prices starting at £130 per person on Saturday nights.
The activists stated that they wanted to disrupt “the most privileged” members of society rather than those already facing financial struggles. For over an hour, they peacefully sat inside the restaurant, holding signs that depicted the harsh conditions on UK farms and a vision of how things could be better. The protest ended around 8.10pm when the police arrived and requested the activists to leave.
A 19-year-old carer named Isabella Pickard voiced the concerns of the protesters. She highlighted that while the world faces the severe consequences of climate change and ecological crises, luxury restaurants continue to sell meat, dairy, and fish, causing harm to our natural world.
Pickard also mentioned the inequality in society, where hard-working professionals like nurses struggle while the wealthy dine in luxury restaurants. She urged the government to support farmers and fishing communities in transitioning to a plant-based food system, reducing the number of farmed animals killed each year and allowing for essential rewilding efforts to combat carbon emissions and restore biodiversity.
The West Midlands Police confirmed that Adam’s restaurant called them, reporting a group of people refusing to leave. Officers arrived and peacefully resolved the situation through dialogue.
This protest at Adam’s restaurant sparks discussions about the ethical implications of our food choices, the environmental impact of animal agriculture, and the importance of adopting a sustainable and compassionate plant-based food system.
