Animal rights demonstrators defeat Peoria police

PEORIA -- When Peoria police tried to shut down a recent anti-meat - "Meatout" demonstration on a public sidewalk in front of One World Cafe, they got a lesson in free speech and freedom of assembly. 

And the restaurant got a lesson in customer relations. It had better apologize.

Here's the story from Monica Ball of Peoria Area Voices for Animals:

"I was extremely disappointed by the actions of One World Cafe's manager who was very rude, told me she wanted me to leave and not hand out fliers to their customers.

 Since I was on a public sidewalk and leafleting to the public, she of course, had no legal authority to make such demands and I was happy to ignore them. She then followed through on her threat to call the police.

I was also happy to make the police officer visibly angry with me when I refused to be intimidated by him.

I was told that I need to keep moving (remember the police orders to "circulate" from past fur demos, anyone?), and when I responded that I don't need to move, I was asked "where's your permit?" to which I responded "I don't need a permit.We've been through this a million times." 

At which point, he knew his bluff had been called, there was nothing he could do to make me leave or "circulate" so he spoke with the restaurant manager and left.

Since we always carry a copy of Peoria's ordinance on picketing, we know our rights and won't be intimidated into meekly giving them away.

Anyone has the right to hold a sign or leaflet on any public sidewalk in the city and there is no need to obtain a permit to do so.  

As of now, I am disinclined to patronize One World and will be letting them know that making enemies of the local animal rights/vegan community is a pretty bad business decision, especially since they make a decent effort of catering to this same group by offering a variety of vegan menu items."

-- Monica Ball

UPDATE 3/9/10:  One World has apologized.  Here's the letter that one of those picketing, Doris Muller, sent to One World, and the restaurant's response:

"As a vegan, One World Cafe was among the very few eating establishments I patronized.  It is deeply appreciated and very heart-warming when businesses recognize the diversity of our "one world" by catering to different customer food regiments for their diverse reasons.

 

On Saturday, March 6, I was part of the leafleting team on the public sidewalks on three corners at Main and University.  Our educational materials and messages support efforts towards a kinder world, and they support the efforts of One World's compassionate food choices for its customers.  Our efforts can only serve to promote respect and greater patronage for the establishment.

 

For those reasons, I am very disappointed, and shocked at the reactions and the decision of One World management to be rude and hostile--calling the police--to dissuade our efforts.

 

One world is not just about people.  We share this earth with many other species.  What man has done to the environment, to other species, to the land, to human and animal health is unconscionable.  Someone once said, " we need to be the change we want to see in others."  I've taken it to heart.  Whenever I think that someone should address certain problems, I've concluded that I am someone.   The only quote I have posted in my home is by Albert Einstein:  "Insanity:...doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." 

 

Animal rights are not directly about the animal victims; they are about humans who have victimized.   We can't hope to have a kinder world while we ourselves remain selfish, and while we fail to recognize the beneficial efforts of others.

It's a sad day to think that I will now sever my patronage with One World eatery, and it's a small blow to my faith in man."

 -- Doris Muller

And the response: 

"After sending an e-mail today to One World's Public Relations person, Monica, I received a call from her this afternoon.

 

She apologized for the incident on Saturday, and she stated that she knows that we have the right to leaflet on the public sidewalk.  She stated that she is there for us and implied that One World does not want to create an atmosphere of hostility towards us.

 

She claimed a call was made to the police department only to inquire about city laws governing protests.  She also claims the police insisted on addressing the complaint even after they were told not to come.  With my, albeit, limited experience with the police, I do not believe that was the truth.  With budget cuts, I can't imagine the police have time on their hands for nonsense--even if they do like to attempt to intimidate us.  I'm sure One World staff made good on their threat to our Monica to involve police because we refused to stop leafleting.  But, OK, I'll give her this one.

 

One World's  Monica indicated One World was put on the defensive after our Monica attempted to educate them about the March of Dimes continued barbaric use of animals in research, in light of the fact One World would be hosting a fund raiser for the March of Dimes.

 

I am appreciative of the call from One World and their commitment to be there for us. "

 -- Doris Muller

 

Comments

[diane vespa]

Of all the places to picket why would they pick that place as opposed to say "Big Joe's steak house"? One World offers more vegetarian entrees than any other place I know. Plus, they have free wi-fi ;-)
I don't get it.

[Elaine Hopkins]

I dunno why they picked this location. Maybe they thought they would
be welcomed there.
But the most interesting thing about this is the attempt of the police
to get rid of them. Didnt work.

[Doris Muller]

Diane, we were not protesting One World. That location was chosen for its high volume of four-way traffic, and we usually leaflet on three of the corners one Sat. a month. Also, all animal rights members are involved in supporting the weekly anti war protest on one of the corners. That protest has been going on at that corner for nine years.

We leaflet to bring awareness to the horrific conditions of animals in the meat, dairy, and egg industries and to promote kinder food choices. We do picket on occasion: rodeos, circuses, fur stores, etc.

We actually are grateful to One World for their compassionate food selections, and we often patronize the cafe.

We probably should do more to make sure the public does not assume we are demonstrating against the restaurant. As a matter of fact, we prefer to promote it.

The worse violation in this situation is the behavior of the police. They don't have enough knowledge of the local ordinance governing protests. They insist on employing intimidation tactics. We have educated ourselves about this issue and we carry a copy of the ordinance with us, we do not bow to the intimidation.

Peoria Area Voices For Animals

[diane vespa]

Doris, if the location chosen is random, next time choose to picket in front of your home. Just saying.

[Doris Muller]

Diane, it appears you have a reading comprehension deficit.

Actually, I feel your comment is indicative of broader issues on your part, so I will not get into a diatribe of words with you, because I can see you are geared up to be silly about it.