Can I get mice with that: Rodents let loose in three UK McDonalds amid Gaza protests

The UK has seen growing direct action by pro-Palestine activists, amid Israel's brutal assault on Gaza.
2 min read
01 November, 2023
Mice have been reportedly released into three McDonalds branches in the space of a week [Getty]

Mice have been reportedly let loose at three branches of McDonalds in the English city of Birmingham over the past week, in an unusual act of protest against Israel’s war on Gaza.

Dozens of mice were released at a McDonalds restaurant in the Small Heath area of Birmingham, video posted to social media on Wednesday purportedly showed.

In the video posted to TikTok, a group of six people enter the restaurant chanting "Free Palestine", before a box of mice is thrown on the floor.

The group chant "F*** Israel" as they purportedly leave the McDonalds.

Two similar attacks were reported at McDonalds branches in England’s second city earlier this week.

The fast food giant has drawn calls worldwide for boycott after its Israeli franchise said it had provided hundreds of thousands of meals to Israeli soldiers.

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It came a few days after Israel began its crushing bombardment of the Gaza Strip that has so far killed almost 9,000 people, at least 3,500 of them children.

McDonalds reportedly clarified afterwards: "McDonald’s Corporation is not funding or supporting any governments involved in this conflict, and any actions from our local Developmental Licensee business partners were made independently without McDonald’s consent or approval."

"Our hearts are with all of the communities and families impacted by this crisis – we strongly condemn the October 7th attack on Israel, and we are devastated by the resulting humanitarian crisis in Gaza."

Israel’s assault on Gaza, now widely deemed to be a genocide, has drawn outrage globally.

Demonstrations worldwide have drawn massive crowds — with last weekend’s march through London drawing 500,000 people.

But forms of protest other than pre-approved marches appear to be growing in frequency as Israel ramps up its attacks on the besieged Palestinian enclave.

Pro-Palestine protesters on Tuesday conducted a sit-down protest at London’s Liverpool Street station.

Taking place at one of the city’s busiest stations during the evening rush hour, some 700 protesters were present, according to the direct action group Sisters Uncut, which took part in the action.

Commuters passing by joined in with the protest, the group said.

Video and photos from the action showed some protesters waving Palestinian flags, while others held large banners that bore messages including 'Stop Arming Israel' and 'Jews Against Genocide'.

A similar action took place in the city on Saturday, as protesters held a sit-in at Waterloo station.