The Melbourne Cow Save Animal Liberation Army have shocked steakhouse diners in Melbourne after they stormed a restaurant in protest.
Footage from the incident showed up to 35 activists filling the Rare Steakhouse restaurant chanting slogans into megaphones and holding signs.
The video was released on the activists Facebook page with the caption: "In order to create change in our society, we must challenge current belief systems and force people to take a side; oppression or justice, cruelty or compassion."
Protesters crash a Melbourne steakhouse. Source: Facebook: Melbourne Cow Save
"There is no humane way to kill someone who does not want to die. Always speak up loud and strong for those sentient beings who are oppressed. They need us to."
Many diners were seen filming the incident as they waited to continue their meal.
The protesters were asked to leave the restaurant by police, which they did peacefully. There were no injuries or arrests.
The Melbourne Cow Save write on Facebook its aim is to inform the community about the suffering and torture of cows and calves in the meat, dairy and leather industry.
A spokesperson for animal rights group PETA Australia said while the protest was unusual and not in its "style", it was still peaceful and an eye-opener.
"This isn't PETA's style, but considering that billions of gentle sheep, chickens, cows, and pigs are strung up - one in front of the next - beaten, and sometimes skinned alive and that their throats are slit for a fleeting taste of flesh, who can blame anyone who peacefully (if enthusiastically) causes people to consider the cruelty of it all?," a spokesperson told SBS News.
"Some people will change their views and behaviour when they think about such abuse. Shaking things up a bit is how change comes about."
It is unclear why the specific restaurant was targeted, but the Melbourne Cow Save group said they never target individuals, but rather the "system".
The caption also claims the activists were aiming to "force" animal rights in the public's eye through "nonviolent direct action".
The Rare Steakhouse claims it sources meat from sustainable farming practices as promoted on its website.
