Man held over mice protest at McDonald’s
A 32-YEAR-OLD man was arrested yesterday in connection with live rodents thrown into Birmingham McDonald’s restaurants.
Social media influencer Amir Khan was in custody yesterday after attending a police station voluntarily.
West Midlands Police said it still wanted to speak to a second man, Billal Hussain, 30, over the incidents on Monday and Tuesday, in what appear to be protests related to the conflict in Gaza.
A video posted on social media on Monday showed customers jumping in shock as mice dyed in the colours of the Palestinian flag scurried at their feet. Pro-Palestinian activists have called for protests against McDonald’s after a restaurant in Israel donated meals to Israeli soldiers and security workers.
The rodents were released at restaurants off Watson Road, Nechells, at around 5.30pm on Monday, and in Regina Drive, Perry Barr, at around 1.30pm on Tuesday.
A third incident just before 9pm on Tuesday in Coventry Road, Small Heath, is also being investigated but may be unconnected, police said. The force added that the ‘appalling’ acts would not be tolerated, and it would be stepping up patrols. McDonald’s said its restaurants had been closed for a full clean and visit from pest control partners. A spokesman said the corporation ‘is not funding or supporting any governments involved in this conflict’. Meanwhile in Keighley,
‘Customers jumping in shock’
West Yorkshire, thugs draped in the Palestinian flag released stick insects into a McDonald’s restaurant on Tuesday night.
A Starbucks, also in Keighley, had its windows smashed on the same night. Last month, the coffee shop chain sued its union after it posted a message on X expressing solidarity with Palestinians.