Vegan activist arrested after throwing tofu chunks at family barbecue to protest meat eating

Benjamin Rank

18 Aug 2025 — 2 min read

A peaceful weekend cookout turned into chaos when flying chunks of tofu rained down on unsuspecting families.

Angry vegan activist throwing tofu chunks at outdoor barbecue gathering

BBQ Turned Battlefield

The incident happened last Saturday at Pine Grove Park in Sacramento, where several families were enjoying their traditional weekend barbecue.

What started as a perfect sunny afternoon quickly changed when self-proclaimed vegan activist Sarah Matthews, 27, approached the gathering.

Local resident Tom Davidson, who was grilling burgers at the time, described the bizarre scene.

"We were just cooking some burgers when this lady started screaming about animal rights. Next thing we know, chunks of tofu are flying everywhere."

Police officers speaking with families at disrupted barbecue scene

Not Your Average Protest

Matthews didn't come empty-handed to her surprise protest. Police reports show she brought nearly 5 pounds of firm tofu.

She had apparently spent the morning cutting the tofu into small chunks, perfect for throwing.

One witness, Maria Rodriguez, captured the whole thing on her phone.

"She kept yelling 'How do you like it when food is thrown at you?' while pelting everyone with tofu. The kids were crying. It was nuts."

From Protest to Charges

The protest didn't last long. Three dads at the barbecue managed to keep Matthews away from the grills while someone called the police.

Officers arrived within minutes to find an unusual crime scene - white tofu chunks scattered across the grass and picnic tables.

The Legal Aftermath

Matthews now faces multiple charges, including disorderly conduct and food waste - a violation of local ordinances.

The district attorney's office confirmed she could face up to $1,000 in fines and community service.

Most surprisingly, several of the families have offered to drop charges if Matthews agrees to attend a community barbecue - where both vegan and meat options will be served.

Local police chief Robert Martinez hopes this incident leads to better dialogue between different dietary groups.

"You can't force your beliefs on others by throwing food. That's not how we solve disagreements in our community."

Matthews has since apologized through her lawyer, admitting that perhaps throwing tofu wasn't the best way to promote plant-based eating.

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