In a pungent and theatrical demonstration against wealth disparity, activists have dumped bags of horse manure beside the grand Christmas tree inside The Ritz Hotel in London.
A Stunt in the Lobby
The incident occurred on Wednesday 3 December 2025 during the afternoon. According to the newly formed campaign group Take Back Power, three of its supporters entered the prestigious Mayfair hotel and emptied the bags of manure next to its 25ft Christmas tree in the main lobby.
Footage from the scene showed the protesters being quickly confronted and removed by hotel staff. Undeterred, they then sat outside the iconic Piccadilly entrance holding signs with a clear, if crude, message: "Inequality is s***. Tax the rich".
Police Response and Campaign Demands
The Metropolitan Police confirmed they were called to the five-star hotel following reports of criminal damage. A spokesperson stated that no arrests were made at the scene and that inquiries into the matter are ongoing.
A spokesperson for Take Back Power used the stunt to articulate their core political demand. "It’s time ordinary people, those most affected by inequality, get a say in deciding how to tax wealth," they said. The group advocates for this to be achieved "through the means of a legally binding citizen’s assembly – a House of the People."
Symbolism and the Season of Protest
The choice of target and timing was deeply symbolic. The Ritz, synonymous with luxury and affluence, represents the extreme wealth the protesters are challenging. By targeting its festive centrepiece, the activists aimed to disrupt the opulent holiday atmosphere and draw a stark contrast between privilege and the realities of economic disparity.
This direct action signals a more confrontational approach from groups focusing on economic justice, using high-profile stunts to garner media attention and provoke public debate about taxation and the concentration of wealth, especially during the Christmas period.
