In Cajun country these men would have been hailed as heroes!
A pair of brave freedom-defending carnivores have been wrongfully punished for the crime consuming delicious squirrel meat at a vegan event.
Two men who decided to protest a vegan event in London byeating dead, raw squirrelshave been found guilty of disorderly behavior.
On Monday, Gatis Lagzdins, 29, and Deonisy Khlebnikov, 22, were sentenced to pay fines of 200 pounds (roughly $250) and 400 pounds ($500) respectively, plus “costs and a surcharge,” for causing harassment, alarm or distress at the March 30 event, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) of England and Wales confirmed.
Lagzdins and Khlebnikov told the judge they attended the event, the Soho Vegan Market, in order to a raise awareness of the alleged dangers of a vegan diet.
Footage of the incident was posted online in March, showing Lagzdins — who also vlogs about his diet on YouTube under the name 'Sv3rige aka Goatis' – speaking with concerned shoppers and police officers while holding the squirrel.
The Soho Vegan Market released a statement shortly afterward, saying it did not condone the YouTuber’s actions, and thanking the police for responding.
Lagzdins and Khlebnikov denied charges of disorderly conduct at a hearing on June 14, the CPS said in anews release.
"By choosing to do this outside a vegan food stall and continuing with their disgusting and unnecessary behavior despite requests to stop, including from a parent whose child was upset by their actions, the prosecution was able to demonstrate that they had planned and intended to cause distress to the public,” said CPS senior crown prosecutor Natalie Clines.
"Their pre-meditated actions caused significant distress to members of the public, including young children."