Vegan protest backfires as activists chased out of BBQ restaurant

Restaurant goers weren't bothered by vegan protesters. Photo / Supplied

A protest at a Perth barbecue restaurant appears to have backfired with a restaurant owner claiming he's received "a lot of support today" and new bookings following the incident.

A group of vegan activists who staged a protest at a Perth barbecue restaurant were chased out by a fed up diner, who argued with them and snatched their megaphone.

The group live streamed their protest on Facebook as they stood around the tables in Lapa Brazilian Barbecue in Subiaco chanting "animals do not want to die" and "it's not food, it's violence", holding signs. But after a few noisy minutes in the busy restaurant, one diner became fed up and began confronting the activists.

Restaurant owner Mark told news.com.au he's received "a lot of support today" following the incident, with new customers making bookings. He said some people had also been offering their support online.

"Seriously, get out. You're ruining everyone's dinner," one waiter can be heard pleading with the group during the protest.

Other diners seemed amused and clinked their glasses before tucking into their meals.
Direct Action Everywhere is an activist group linked with a number of high profile demonstrations, including clashes with West Australian farmers.

The group describe themselves as a "nonviolent community of concerned individuals seeking to end the slavery of animals".

"We use methods that force the dialogue of speciesism to be ubiquitous," it says.

Restaurant goers weren't bothered by vegan protesters. Photo / Supplied

One diner in a white T-shirt got fed up as the group began loudly chanting, "Animals do not want to die!" and started arguing with one activist. The man can be heard swearing, and telling the activists to leave.

The man in the white T-shirt then approached the protester with the megaphone and snatched it from him, before they quickly moved outside.

Before the group left, one protester screamed, "Think of the animals that suffered, they spend their whole lives suffering for a few minutes of your taste pleasure!"

Mark told news.com.au the protesters made two bookings for six people and waited for everyone to arrive before they started the demonstration.

He said the customers were okay after the incident.

"Everyone was fine and positive. They supported each other."

He said the restaurant had received support online today following media reports about the incident.