Animal rights activists held protests outside butchers’ shops across France on Saturday, wearing T-shirts saying ‘butcher is not a profession’.
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Animal rights activists from the French group "Boucherie Abolition" held flash protests in front of butchers' shops across several French cities, including Paris, on Saturday.
Activist Alizee Denis held the carcass of a piglet in her arms in silent protest, wearing a t-shirt that read "butcher is not a profession" in front of one shop in the capital. Her protest was met with anger and derision by the shop owner and some of his customers.
Many other store owners ignored the protest, including award-winning butcher Romain Leboeuf, who labelled it ''insulting''.
He said: "The industrial system is not good, no question about it. I don't agree with it, it’s not what I do and the same goes for my artisan colleagues. Our craft is a special skill and, in France, we’re the guarantors of this know-how. Me too, as one of the best in France, I can assure you that eating less meat in general, but consuming better quality meat, that’s the best option for me."
The flash protest came on the same day as a ''Veggie Pride'' march in Place de la Republique, where hundreds of vegans and activists tried to raise awareness about animal rights. The rally also provided a platform for vegans to share meals and promote an end to the exploitation of animals.
In June French butchers requested police protection from vegan activists after shop windows were smashed.