Sainsbury's shoppers were forced to barge past protesters in a supermarket clash this weekend after animal rights activists staged a sit-in demonstration.
Customers browsing meat products at a branch of the supermarket in Southampton found themselves being held up by Animal Rising protesters - sparking fiery clashes as they tried to move through the aisle.
Footage of the incident has emerged on social media - with cries of "Who do you think you are?" and "You move - well, I'll just knock you out of the way" heard ringing out as the shoppers were held up.
Activists were seen forming a blockade by sitting down arm-in-arm next to a selection of chicken products, sparking fury from customers attempting to get past.
A minute-long clip of the clash showed two shoppers butting heads with the demonstrators - and when one older woman tried to break through the line, a protester could be heard claiming they were being assaulted.
The activists were holding placards showing messages targeting the RSPCA Assured animal welfare scheme - but refused to budge when shoppers tried to make their way through.
One man pushing a trolley told the group: "I've asked you several times - I've asked you nicely."
He added: "Who do you think you are? I want to get past here."
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The aforementioned female shopper is seen in the footage telling the protesters: "No, I'm not going round - you move.
"Well, I'll just knock you out of the way with my trolley, then," she vowed.
One of the Animal Rising members responds by saying: "We're here to make a protest, to make a point."
When probed by MailOnline, Animal Rising said that it had staged similar demonstrations in shops in Birmingham, Chelmsford, Stoke-on-Trent, Manchester, Nottingham, Eastbourne and Gloucester.
The RSPCA Assured programme sees labels attached to food products if they meet a certain standard of animal welfare - but Animal Rising claims that "cruelty is endemic within the Assured scheme".
"It's time for the RSPCA to drop the Assured label for good, and instead lead the way to a kinder future for all animals," it says.
Hampshire Constabulary said it was aware of the protest at Sainsbury's in Southampton.
A spokesman for the force said: "Local officers did attend the area in the early afternoon. However, there were no issues that will require further police intervention."
While a spokesman for Sainsbury's said: "Last week, police were called to an incident which took place at our Southampton Portswood store. We're sorry for the temporary disruption this may have caused some customers."
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Customers browsing meat products at a branch of the supermarket in Southampton found themselves being held up by Animal Rising protesters - sparking fiery clashes as they tried to move through the aisle.
Footage of the incident has emerged on social media - with cries of "Who do you think you are?" and "You move - well, I'll just knock you out of the way" heard ringing out as the shoppers were held up.
Activists were seen forming a blockade by sitting down arm-in-arm next to a selection of chicken products, sparking fury from customers attempting to get past.
A minute-long clip of the clash showed two shoppers butting heads with the demonstrators - and when one older woman tried to break through the line, a protester could be heard claiming they were being assaulted.
The activists were holding placards showing messages targeting the RSPCA Assured animal welfare scheme - but refused to budge when shoppers tried to make their way through.
One man pushing a trolley told the group: "I've asked you several times - I've asked you nicely."
He added: "Who do you think you are? I want to get past here."
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The aforementioned female shopper is seen in the footage telling the protesters: "No, I'm not going round - you move.
"Well, I'll just knock you out of the way with my trolley, then," she vowed.
One of the Animal Rising members responds by saying: "We're here to make a protest, to make a point."
When probed by MailOnline, Animal Rising said that it had staged similar demonstrations in shops in Birmingham, Chelmsford, Stoke-on-Trent, Manchester, Nottingham, Eastbourne and Gloucester.
The RSPCA Assured programme sees labels attached to food products if they meet a certain standard of animal welfare - but Animal Rising claims that "cruelty is endemic within the Assured scheme".
"It's time for the RSPCA to drop the Assured label for good, and instead lead the way to a kinder future for all animals," it says.
Hampshire Constabulary said it was aware of the protest at Sainsbury's in Southampton.
A spokesman for the force said: "Local officers did attend the area in the early afternoon. However, there were no issues that will require further police intervention."
While a spokesman for Sainsbury's said: "Last week, police were called to an incident which took place at our Southampton Portswood store. We're sorry for the temporary disruption this may have caused some customers."
Find Out More...