Prominent animal rights activist charged after he stormed a busy Australian restaurant that banned vegetarians
A prominent activist has been charged after animal rights protesters stormed a busy Perth restaurant that banned vegetarians, physically clashing with staff and a diner.
In June, Fire restaurant head chef John Mountain took to social media to announce that ‘all vegetarians are now banned for mental health reasons…’.
A few days later on the evening of June 30, about a dozen workers targeted his packed premises, waving placards and shouting at diners as Mr Mountain and others tried to evict the group amid ugly scenes.
Vegan activist Tash Peterson (second from right) protests at John Mountain’s (second from left) Twice Fire restaurant in Connolly, north of Perth.
West Australian police on Friday charged Peterson, 29, with being in the vicinity of licensed premises and disorderly conduct in a public place over the June 30 incident.
‘The sounds you hear now are pigs screaming for their lives … if you’re not vegan, you’re responsible for killing them,’ prominent activist Tash Peterson can be heard shouting in footage of the incident.
‘Animals want to live… you have blood on your hands.’
Protesters returned to the popular dining spot in the northern suburbs about a week later and again played pig squeals through a megaphone.
Mr Mountain is seen in video footage physically confronting staff outside his restaurant before being tackled by a man with the group.
The chef later told Nine’s A Current Affair that he lunged for the megaphone to stop protesters from disrupting his business and dinner.
‘I’ve never really wanted to be the one to stand up to anyone… but bullies come in all shapes and sizes and they just might be vegan,’ he said.
‘If it takes one man to make a stand, this is it.’
Chef John Mountain (right) clashes with animal rights activists who attack his restaurant
Mr Mountain said the restaurant’s bookings had tripled after the clash and as a result he was having to ‘kill’ more animals to feed his patrons.
She also revealed the emotional toll the events took, saying her partner had left her due to intense media scrutiny.
‘Blessed vegetarians… you’re banned for life,’ he said.
‘Now I’m going to open a steak restaurant just to piss you off.’
West Australian police on Friday charged Peterson, 29, with being in the vicinity of licensed premises and disorderly conduct in a public place over the June 30 incident.
A spokesman said in a statement: ‘It will be alleged that the woman refused to leave the premises when asked to do so by staff.’
‘It will also be alleged that he acted in a disorderly manner.’
Peterson is due to appear in the Joondalup Magistrates Court on Monday.