news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/4882444.stm

Police said a man and a woman who had chained themselves to pillars in the Oxford Street restaurant were arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass.

Greenpeace said people dressed as chickens were protesting at McDonald's environmental policies.

McDonald's said it took its responsibilities seriously.

A small number of demonstrators remained outside McDonald's in Manchester and were protesting peacefully, Greater Manchester Police said.

They added that those arrested were a 39-year-old man from Longsight and a 25-year-old woman from Wigan.

Greenpeace said it was demonstrating against the purchase of soya from the Amazon rainforest to feed McDonald's chickens.

A spokesman claimed rainforest was being cut down to build soya farms.

McDonald's said it would be investigating Greenpeace's allegations.

A spokesman said: "We are disappointed when people turn to vandalism to express their views.

"Worldwide, we take our supply chain and environmental responsibilities very seriously.

"We can confirm that we will be investigating the claim made by Greenpeace in full and will review it for consistency in line with our existing policy not to source beef from recently deforested areas."

Greenpeace said it had also fly-posted other restaurants across the city.

The group said "chickens" had also chained themselves to stores in London, Edinburgh, Leeds, Birmingham, Bristol and Southampton.

Metro, Manchester UK
Friday 07.04.06

It was certainly enough to disturb diners tucking in to their McMuffins and coffee at breakfast.

Police sent a crack squad of 20 officers to a McDonald's yesterday – to arrest two people dressed in 2m-tall red rooster costumes. The officers – six in full riot gear – spent nearly three hours dealing with the Greenpeace protesters, who chained themselves to chairs at the restaurant in Manchester city centre. he pair were cut free and arrested for aggravated trespass.

One witness said: 'It was like a scene from Keystone Cops. You'd think police had more important things to do.' The protest began at 7am after Greenpeace vowed to demonstrate against the alleged role played by the fast-food giant in the destruction of the Amazon rainforest.

Campaigner Oliver Knowles said: 'There were a lot of officers for two chickens.' The Greater Manchester force said it had to use so many officers to protect the public as power tools were used to cut the protesters' chains.

Greenpeace chickens also protested at McDonald's outlets in London, Edinburgh, Leeds, Birmingham, Bristol and Southampton. McDonald's said it would investigate the pressure group's claims. It added: 'We're disappointed when people turn to vandalism. We take our supply chain and environment responsibilities very seriously.'  
 
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