Two supporters of the Animal Rebellion vegan protest group have been charged by the Metropolitan police for taking and pouring milk on the floor of two high-end department stores in London last Friday (October 7).
Stephen Bone (40) and Sofia Fernandes Pontes (26) were arrested on Saturday (October 8) and charged on Sunday morning (October 9) with two counts of criminal damage and two counts of theft.
These charges relate to taking milk from two shops, which was then “used in the acts of criminal damage”, according to the police.
The protests
Bone and Fernandes Pontes targeted Fortnum & Mason and Selfridges during the protests.
Animal Rebellion claims that, in police interviews, Bone and Fernandes Pontes were informed they had caused over £100,000 of damage to carpets at Fortnum & Mason.
The pair’s actions are part of Animal Rebellion’s demands for a plant-based future. The animal and climate group is calling for wholesale governmental support for farmers and fishing communities to transition to a plant-based food system.
18 other protesters from Animal Rebellion who blocked Westminster Bridge on Saturday and refused to leave, after being requested to do so by police, have also been arrested.
Fernandes Pontes said her actions “reflect the severity of the climate, ecological and animal emergencies”.
“I took action because I believe change is possible, but only if Liz Truss and Ranil Jayawardena step up and make the bold decision to support a plant-based future,” she said.
“I am completely willing to face the consequences of my action and let a jury of ordinary people decide my fate.
“I trust in the people of this country to recgonise the changes that need to happen to bring us into an abundant, loving and sustainable plant-based future.”
Charges
Bone appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court on Monday (October 10). Although he was in custody, he has since been granted conditional bail not to visit the stores and will appear at Southwark Crown Court on November 7.
Fernandes Pontes was released on bail and will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on November 7.
Superintendent Chris Green, who led the police operation at the protests, said: “This weekend we saw repeated efforts to cause damages to businesses and to unreasonably disrupt the lives of ordinary Londoners by blocking roads.
“The policing operation required to respond to these challenges is significant.
“It requires many officers out on the ground in key locations in addition to those who are needed to process prisoners and then carry out the investigations to turn arrests into charges and ultimately, outcomes in court.”
Green said that Met police supports peaceful protests and will work with organisers to ensure that protests go ahead safely, but that the public “rightly expect us to respond swiftly and effectively where protest crosses the line into criminality”.
