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Manchester McDonald's mobbed by Anonymous activists in bizarre protest Manchester McDonald's mobbed by activists in 'Anonymous' masks in bizarre protest
(1 day later)
A Manchester branch of McDonald's was last night forced to closed after a group of protesters wearing Anonymous masks raided the store. A Manchester branch of McDonald's was last night forced to closed after a group of protesters raided the store wearing masks made famous by the 'Anonymous' group.
The Manchester Evening News reported that around 20 demonstrators ran into the Oxford Road store in the city centre at 10PM on Friday night and sat down on the counter, forcing to staff to ask customers to leave and close the store.The Manchester Evening News reported that around 20 demonstrators ran into the Oxford Road store in the city centre at 10PM on Friday night and sat down on the counter, forcing to staff to ask customers to leave and close the store.
Police arrived shortly after the protesters entered the store, after having spotted them wearing their recognisable Guy Fawkes masks, based on the one worn by the hero of the comic book V for Vendetta. Police arrived shortly after the protesters entered the store, after having spotted them wearing distinctive Guy Fawkes masks, based on the one worn by the hero of the comic book V for Vendetta.
Inspector Phil Spurgeon of the Greater Manchester Police, told the Manchester Evening News that it was "noisy and chaotic" in the restaurant.Inspector Phil Spurgeon of the Greater Manchester Police, told the Manchester Evening News that it was "noisy and chaotic" in the restaurant.
Around 20 protesters ran into the Oxford Road restaurant on 22 May and refused to leave He said the protesters left after they were asked to by the manager, and continued noisily protesting outside.Around 20 protesters ran into the Oxford Road restaurant on 22 May and refused to leave He said the protesters left after they were asked to by the manager, and continued noisily protesting outside.
He added that the group headed to another nearby protest, before piling into a minibus and heading back to Merseyside, where they said they were from.
mcdonalds never gets my order right - ANONYMOUS TAKE THEM DOWN!mcdonalds never gets my order right - ANONYMOUS TAKE THEM DOWN!
The bizarre protest may have been inspired by Anonymous' long-running campaign against McDonald's, which they believe treats its workers unfairly. The protesters appeared to be targeting this branch in particular in response to an incident when a teenager was refused service there when trying to buy food for a homeless person.
The group Love Activists Merseyside claimed responsibility for the protest on on their Facebook page.
Inspector Spurgeon confirmed that the group, who left McDonald's to join another protest, said they were from Merseyside before piling into a minibus and leaving.
The bizarre protest evoked Anonymous' long-running campaign against McDonald's, which they believe treats its workers unfairly.
A video released by one 'member' of Anonymous calling for people to take action against the fast food chain has been re-posted on YouTube a number of times over the past few years.A video released by one 'member' of Anonymous calling for people to take action against the fast food chain has been re-posted on YouTube a number of times over the past few years.
Anonymous has no central leadership, but is a protest movement that primarily operates online. Most of their physical protests rely on small groups sporadically taking action themselves.Anonymous has no central leadership, but is a protest movement that primarily operates online. Most of their physical protests rely on small groups sporadically taking action themselves.
This particular branch of McDonald's has faced other incidents recently, after a teenager was refused service there when trying to buy food for a homeless person.