Activists attacked during animal liberation protest

Animal Party Cyprus is calling on Cypriot authorities to investigate an incident over the weekend after two animal rights activists said they were attacked by an unknown person during a peaceful demonstration in Nicosia.

An animal rights activist says she was physically confronted by an unknown male during a public demonstration in downtown Nicosia on Saturday, when members of “Anonymous for the Voiceless” and volunteers from the “269life Animal Liberation Cyprus” movement sought to inform the public about their abolitionist stance against animal exploitation.

According to activist Maria Mappouridou, who wrote on Facebook about the alleged incident, she was physically confronted by a man who was visibly upset about the content of their public campaign.

“Last night it was my turn to take a beating because some patriarchal manboy got upset with the images we showed of abused animals,” Mappouridou said.

The alleged incident took place Saturday evening, when according to the APC an unknown citizen lashed at two activists, one male and one female, causing “serious injuries” to both of them as well as material damages.

APC said the activists were transported to the Emergency Room at Nicosia General Hospital to receive treatment and undergo medical exams.

The activist groups are known around the globe for their publicity stunts as well as street demonstrations, where they attempt to engage in a dialogue with members of the public using Cubes of Truth that display images of animal exploitation, cruelty, and torture in the food chain and within the broader industry.

“We will do everything in our power to include non-human animals in the fight for social justice. This is what we are fighting for and we won’t settle for anything less,” Mappouridou wrote.

Knews understands a formal complaint was to be launched while APC officials have called on the Chief of Police and the Justice Minister to “immediately order an investigation into the incident and seek out the guilty parties” as well as “give them what they deserve if there is evidence against them.”

“Every human being is free to express what they believe and nobody has the right to deprive them of this right even if one disagrees,” APC said.