Activists target supermarkets in mass shoplifting campaign for food banks

"What's legal isn't necessarily an indication of what's moral or right. I accept that going into shops and taking things without paying is against the law. But I really do think that we need to be looking at what is more of a problem in society is the fact that we've got a significant number of people having to go to food banks."

"Members said that they 'liberated boxes of food' from supermarkets to supply local food banks. Take Back Power, which identifies as a non-violent civil resistance group, said its supporters in London, Manchester, Exeter, and Truro took back food and necessities from supermarkets and redistributed them to local food banks on Saturday."

"This won't be the last of this sort of action. I think it's necessary for ordinary people to be stepping into action given the scale of crisis our country faces."

Take Back Power, a non-violent civil resistance group, organized a coordinated campaign across London, Manchester, Exeter, and Truro where activists entered supermarkets, filled boxes with food and necessities, and redistributed them to local food banks. The group justified their actions by distinguishing between legality and morality, arguing that widespread food bank dependency represents a greater societal problem than their actions. Activists carried boxes labeled with messages about redistribution to those in need. The group claimed no crime occurred because items remained on supermarket property or were paid for, though police and the group dispute these details. Organizers indicated this represents the beginning of ongoing civil resistance actions.

Read at www.independent.co.uk