On September 2nd, the animal rights group Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) occupied a NYC Chipotle during lunch hour and played the sound of squealing animals to capture the attention of patrons.

Since October, 2013, DxE has conducted “It’s Not Food. It’s Violence” protests in 50 cities and 16 countries. The organization has targeted Chipotle because its marketing campaign deceptively suggests that its animals are humanely raised and slaughtered, making people feel good about eating abused animals when they might have otherwise abstained. “The company is trying to market killing as humane,” said a DxE spokesperson, “But there is no escaping the reality that slitting an animal’s throat is violent.”

Please visit Direct Action Everywhere to learn more about their campaign and to support their brave work by participating in their actions or donating.

The owner of a famous U.K. restaurant that serves foie gras is accusing activists of engaging in blackmail in their attempts to pressure him into taking it off the menu. Alvin Michaels says the group Hertfordshire Animal Rights “has pursued the Bricklayers Arms through a negative campaign on social media, threatening phone calls and demonstrations.” Mr. Michaels defends the sale of foie gras, saying his food is “lovingly sourced” and that other restaurants serve it too. He also invokes the “law of supply and demand.”

By saying that the “cruelty is debatable,” Mr. Michael’s indvertently acknowledges that force-feeding an animal by inserting a tube down his or her esophagus might be inhumane. He also says, “For every study that says it is harmful to feed waterfowl through tube-feeding, there seems to be equal evidence that states that it isn’t.”

Bricklayers Arms Pub (Photo: hemeltoday.co.uk)

In this video about foie gras production, British actress Kate Winslet says, “Foie gras is sold as an expensive delicacy, but no one pays a higher price than the ducks and geese who are abused and killed to make it.” Please share this video on social media and ask the Bricklayers Arms to take this “delicacy of despair” of the menu for good.

In one of the most combative protests in years, animal rights activists clashed with carriage drivers, union heads, police officers and fashion models during Victor de Souza’s horse-drawn carriage runway show in midtown Manhattan. Chanting “Victor de Souza, animal abuser,” dozens of activists jogged alongside the carriages as they transported models in an alternative runway show.

By displaying his models on moving carriages, De Souza capitalized on the current media interest in the issue. Just one day earlier, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio made headlines when he reiterated his commitment to ending horse-drawn carriage rides in Manhattan: “There’s tremendous support in the City Council for making this change. And we’re going to move forward.”

The seven carriages carrying the models attempted – but failed – to evade the activists who protested until the moment the “show” was over.

Photo: Metro New York

Mr. de Souza either received the media attention that he wanted, or the protesters ruined the show for him and his models. Either way, this fashion designer’s unglamorous exploitation of animals will be well documented, placing him on wrong side of history.

Colombia’s constitutional court has ruled that Bogota’s 2012 ban on bullfighting violates people’s “right to artistic expression.” The reversal of the ban is a setback for the local animal rights community and, of course, for the bulls.

In response to the news, Humane Society International said: “Stabbing an animal for entertainment is wrong. Where cruelty starts, culture ends.” In 2013, two participants were killed during bullfights in Northern Colombia.

Colombia judges have ruled that “art” should be protected – even if it constitutes animal torture, apparently. But will they continue defend this bloodsport if more people are killed? To the judges I ask, “How many more people have to die before “right to artistic expression” doesn’t fly?” Bullfighting is among the most barbaric forms of animal torture. Even when the matador is gored and loses the “fight,” the bull is still executed with a sword. Some sport!

Spanish bullfighter in 2010 (photo: Getty)

The British hunter who trampled a protester with his horse her has been arrested. According to the Hunt Saboteur’s Association, the victim had seven broken ribs and a possible collapsed lung. The “master” of the hunt, Mike Felton, said, “We deeply regret any accident or incident that happens to anyone who is hurt.” Clearly, his remorse about “anyone” being hurt is reserved for humans – not for the foxes who are torn to pieces by hounds during their illegal hunt.

Photo: Mail Online

Hunting with hounds was outlawed in the U.K. in 2005, but it carries on due to lack of enforcement. As a result, activists continue to sabotage the hunt to protect the animals, often wearing masks to hide their identities from the notoriously violent hunters. Please thank and support these activists who risk their safety and freedom to protect wild animals from their killers.