By Caris Horton
Event organiser, Jessica Williams, with the “meat models”.
A group of vegans has staged a protest against meat-eating and animal cruelty in Fremantle, leaving some locals upset over the gruesome display.
Four volunteers stripped down to their underwear, coated themselves in fake blood and put themselves in plastic bags to label themselves as “human meat” in Kings Square.
Twenty-six other volunteers held protest signs and handed out pamphlets while event organiser, Jessica Williams, used a megaphone to spread their message to the crowd.
Williams believes the demonstration made a positive impact and inspired people to fight against animal cruelty.
“The meat models serve as an immediate reminder that the “meat” people purchase is actually a body,” she said.
“’It’” is a who, and that individual had a life that they wanted to continue living.”
The group has received some criticism from the public with concerns over children being affected by the graphic display.
Fremantle resident Graham Willis praised the demonstration for its creativeness but was worried about its effect on nearby children.
A volunteer covered in fake blood acts as a “meat model”.
“I did notice that there were a couple of Mums that were a bit concerned about their little kids which I understand because it might be a bit graphic for them,” he said.
Williams says she has received harassment from other vegans over the event.
“I had many private messages telling me that I was going to “ruin every effort” made for animals in WA,” she said.
“I even had my integrity questioned.”
Despite the criticism, Williams said that the only complaint on the day was from a nearby cafe owner who said customers would be driven away because the cafe served meat.
Similar events took place in Melbourne and Adelaide and Williams wants to plan a bigger demonstration with the eastern states in the future.