DxE joined activists all over the world in protesting foie gras. Video above. Press release and photos below. 

San Francisco, November 21, 2013 - On Thursday, November 21st at 6:00pm, animal rights activists with Direct Action Everywhere (DxE), as part of its "It's Not Food. It's Violence." campaign,  held a demonstration against force feeding and foie gras at the French consulate building, in solidarity with activists in Belgium, France, Germany, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The Bay Area activists are demanding that France, the world's largest foie gras producer, ban the abusive practice. 

The production of foie gras requires ducks and geese to be force-fed, and birds routinely die in the process due to wounds, infections, and other complications.  Although California law prohibits the production and sale of foie gras, local restaurants continue to serve the product as a supposed "gift."

While the focus of the protest is foie gras, the activists point out that cruelty is inherent in the process of raising animals for food. In the United States alone, approximately 10 billion animals (not including fish and other sea animals) are killed annually for food.  In addition to the inherent violence of slaughter, animals endure psychological and other physical trauma from confinement, and undercover investigations have found that they are routinely eviscerated while still conscious. 

Direct Action Everywhere is a network of animal rights activists working to challenge speciesism throughout society.  We use creative protest to challenge the use of animals for food, clothing, experimentation, and entertainment.  Visit Direct Action Everywhere on Facebook and at http://directactioneverywhere.com.  Follow us on Twitter @DxEverywhere.