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A “Vegetarian Act” of Vandalism Strikes Boucherie Grinder

Two bricks with warnings thrown at their storefront

Boucherie Grinder

While Saint-Henri has seen attacks concerning anti-gentrification for several years, Griffintown is now facing other issues of aggressive activism — most recently, anti-meat protestors.

On Wednesday morning this week, the butcher shop Boucherie Grinder was struck with two bricks by assailants. The display windows which house the shop’s ornately-hung meats in full view were not broken, only receiving marks, due to the strength of the glass. The only clue as to the cause of the attack came from messages which were tied to the projectiles, approximately translated here:

“This is a vegetarian act. We consider your hideous and infectious establishment requires a long and ostensible intervention. Cease the mutilation and sale of non-human animals. Starting today, June 27th, 2017, more and more specialized institutions like yours will be vandalized in Montreal. Thank you for understanding that animals, like humans, are not for sale. Together for a 100% vegetarian future.

In an interview with Le Journal de Montréal, the associate owner and master butcher of the store Charles Bizeul found the direction of the anger misplaced. “We’re a small neighbourhood butchery that strives to be healthy,” he explained, going on to note that the shop works with “local products and small farms where the animals are well treated.” Noting that the display of meat is intended to sensitize customers to their products, Bizeul adds the Boucherie Grinder wants “people to be aware of what they have on their plate, that it doesn’t come (as pre-packaged) steaks.”

Bonjour, aujourd'hui notre Boucherie à été attaqué par des briques et un message attaché... Afin de revenir sur l'absurdité de cet acte, il est essentiel d'éclaircir certains points. D'abord ceci n'est pas un « acte végétaire » mais bien un acte de vandalisme, justifié par l'opinion d'un groupe considérant notre boucherie comme hideuse et infecte. Il est vraie que la Boucherie Grinder expose de manière ostentatoire la viande. Cela participe d'une démarche d'éducation du consommateur afin de casser avec la dépersonnalisation de la viande, vendue aujourd'hui sous forme d'aliment consommable immédiatement et non d'êtres vivants méritant un respect de la part de tous comme nous tentons de le promouvoir. Il est sûr qu'il est plus facile de taper sur les boucheries de quartier, qui s'efforcent tant bien que mal de respecter une démarche saine dans toutes les différentes caractéristiques de la viande, que sur les grandes surfaces de distribution et leur recherche néfaste du profit. Oui, le respect de la dignité de l'animal de son élevage à son abattage fait partie de nos préoccupations. Si, comme vous le dites dans votre message, à partir du 27 juin vous partez en guerre contre toute institution vendant de la viande, tâchez de vous renseigner un minimum et attaquez-vous aux bons ennemis, non par des actes de vandalisme mesquin, mais en engageant des vraies actions contre les acteurs participant à la dégradation des conditions de vie animale... Enfin, « pour un futur 100% végétaire », quelques remarques sont à faire. Il n'est pas sans vous apprendre que la culture de masse détruit les sols . La culture des sources de protéines comme le tofu, quinoa et autres, essentielles à la vie humaine, sont la cause d'une perdition de masse du capital écologique. Le préjudice subit par les écosystèmes est sans précédent. Même la labellisation bio ne rime plus à grande chose du fait des débordements suites à son essor commercial. Pour un monde 100% sain, oui ! Notre démarche y participe de manière positive, il serait temps de réviser la vôtre. Si jamais vous avez vu ou avez été victimes de mêmes actes envers vos boucherie vous pouvez communiquer avec nous. Merci.

A post shared by Boucherie Grinder (@boucheriegrinder) on

In a follow-up response posted online, Boucherie Grinder felt it necessary to clarify that this instance is more vandalism than vegetarianism. “It is true that Boucherie Grinder ostentatiously exposes the meat,” the post reads. “This is part of a consumer education process to break with the depersonalization of meat, sold today in the form of immediately consumable food and not as living beings which deserve respect from everyone as we try to promote it.”

While the butchery believes that it is far easier to strike at small businesses — as opposed to large retailers in a “harmful search for profit” — to make a point, strongly-opinionated individuals may be better served to “engage in real action against those involved in the deterioration of animal living conditions,” according to the response. The post goes to detail that the “cultivation of protein sources such as tofu, quinoa and others, essential to human life, are the cause of a mass perdition of ecological capital. The harm suffered by ecosystems is unprecedented. Even the organic labeling (has no rhyme or reason) anymore because of the overflow following its commercial expansion.”

There has been no word yet as to whether or not other butchers in Montreal have been attacked, as pledged in the messages. This isn’t the first time local businesses have been subject to vandalism in the city, as the Portuguese restaurant 3734 had white paint flung at its windows less than two weeks ago, and the bar Ludger was attacked during service in the last week of May. Nor has this been the first time a butchery has been the subject of aggression from activists, as Marc Bourg, owner of Marchand du Bourg in Rosemont, was being harassed online earlier this year.

Grinder Viandes & Vins

1708 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Le Sud-Ouest, QC H3J 1M3 (514) 439-1130 Visit Website