From the rotten turnips allegedly lobbed at African governor Vespasian in 63 CE, to the banana milkshake unleashed on right-wing British politician Nigel Farage a few weeks ago (by a fellow sex worker!), food has been a fundamental protest tool for hundreds – likely thousands – of years. An essentially nonviolent form of expression, food has been utilised as a fundamental instrument of protestors the world over throughout civilisation’s history. In the last few years alone, there have been a wealth of protests across the globe where food has taken the spotlight.
When compared to various other physical protest tools, throwing food seems a laughably slapstick move to make compared to the alternatives. However, it doesn’t come without, what can often be major, consequences. Eli Rubashkyn, the trans woman who infamously poured tomato juice over Posie Parker during her anti-trans rights tour in Aotearoa New Zealand last March, was immediately charged with assault and now faces up to six months in prison. Various Just Stop Oil activists were charged with criminal damage after defacing various artworks in and around London in the latter half of 2022. Not only are activists engaging in food related protests facing legal repercussions, they are often putting themselves in physical danger. The rising wave of shock and hatred that members of the public felt as they watched iconic artworks be “ruined” resulted in the many activists involved receiving hundreds of death threats in the aftermath, even though these art pieces were protected by glass and not permanently damaged in any way.
In the last few years alone, there have been a wealth of protests across the globe where food has taken the spotlight.
There are many reasons these incidents are taken so seriously by law enforcement. By and large, chucking goopy stuff at political figures is classed as vandalism and can arguably cause significant property damage if not dealt with immediately. Eggshells can chip paint, while the yolk can be corrosive on certain surfaces. [Insert other food based issues here - stingy eyes, allergies, ha!] However, as an incredibly accessible protest tool to the lower classes, there is undoubtedly a degree of classism to the prosecution of such a non-violent crime. When it comes to someone being physically assaulted by thrown food, it can often act as “the straw that broke the camel’s back” during a protest. Seeing an individual or institution you are protesting against be hit with an egg, rotten tomato or paint can embolden you – and others – to engage in even more disruptive behaviour, which may escalate to violent levels.
Akin to any other physical assault, the victims of this form of protest can often feel violated. After having the aforementioned tomato juice poured on her, Posie Parker said she feared for her life, and instantly cut her planned tour short to return home after the attack. It’s shocking that a woman who called for armed men to go into women’s bathrooms to protect them from trans women can see this tame display of protest as a sinister threat. As a vehement anti-trans campaigner, her very own activism has catapulted online hatred towards the trans community to what one analyst described as “genocidal” levels. It’s laughable that someone who has inspired so much brutality against an already marginalised people can see cold tomato juice as genuine violence.
As an incredibly accessible protest tool to the lower classes, there is undoubtedly a degree of classism to the prosecution of such a non-violent crime.
Similarly, in comparison to the fossil fuel crisis that protestors were trying to shed light on, soup being splashed onto the glass that protects a Van Gogh seems infinitesimal. Regardless of the repercussions, protest is a fundamental right of the people. Throwing food is among one of the most accessible, monetarily affordable instruments of lower ranked society. For the working class who have very little power in making decisions that affect our environment and government, it is imperative that egging, souping, and milkshake-splashing persists! In the same way that common criminals were bombarded with rotten foods on their way to medieval execution, we too must have the chance to portray our disgust and outrage with our elected officials.
The more shakes that are thrown, the more anonymous the act becomes. In the last few years we have seen our governments try to further restrict our protest limitations, because a loud, opposing crowd is what they fear the most. It attracts attention and spreads information amongst us. The more we listen to one another, the less we listen to them. Let us rise up against them with a bucket of slop hung from each arm! Revolutions are not silent, sweet smelling events that can be neatly squared away before dinner time. They are the messy, drawn out, exhausting effort of a united community who refuse to sit idly by as our rights are stripped away. When people threaten our way and quality of life, the least we can do is smash a rotten egg in their face.
Let us rise up against them with a bucket of slop hung from each arm!
Around the world, the right to protest is mostly restricted to the “peaceful” variety. Anything that threatens public safety or health will often be policed. If it is believed the protest will lead to public disorder or crimes being committed, our right to protest in these circumstances will no longer be protected. Whether individual instances of food-chucking protest are considered unlawful ultimately resides in the jurisdiction of the area where it took place. When analysed independently, it’s incredibly difficult to prove the throwing of an egg, rotten tomato, or carton of custard has malicious, violent intent. These actions are widely viewed as harmless displays of opposition in the Western world. It is the ensuing actions of the crowd which often ends up in further prosecution. The key to attending any protest is knowing your rights, whether you’re planning to ruin your local MPs Hugo Boss suit with a vegan coconut smoothie or not. As we all know, the pen is mightier than the sword… perhaps the rotten tomato is too.
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