On Friday, Jan 23rd, at about 9:00 pm, 4 Baltimore animal rights activists were arrested while legally and peacefully protesting the sale of foie gras at Cork's restaurant, located in the Federal Hill area. Officers told activists that they could not protest in front of the restaurant and had to leave or be arrested.

One activist was arrested for asking the officers for their badge numbers. Another activist was arrested for silently walking up and down the other side of the street with a sign depicting the force feeding ducks for foie gras production. the other 2 were arrested for simply standing their ground against an unlawful order, (which blatantly violated their first amendment rights), and not leaving immediately. Activists who were filming, including a legal observer, were told they were not allowed to film, or they would be arrested as well.

Last Friday, 3 activists were also arrested in front of the same restaurant, for the same reasons. As usual, last week's arrestees were released with no charges. This is what the Baltimore City Police Department likes to refer to as a "walk through," when a person is arrested, taken to booking, processed, and released with no charges. Police succeed in getting protesters away from the scene by giving unlawful orders and then arresting, but then they are not held accountable for the false arrests.

Please call Central Booking of Baltimore to request that the activists currently being held be released in a timely manner, and that they are given vegan food.

Please call and support:
~Erin Marcus
~Aaron Ross
~Kenny Lucero
~Reagan Kimball

Central Booking Phone Numbers:
410-545-8120
410-545-8121
410-545-8128
410-545-8129