When Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi threw his shoes at George Bush in 2008, the shoe became a symbol of protest across the Arab world and beyond.

Now, there is a new symbol, one of anti-fascism, taking the form of a milkshake.

Following al-Zaidi’s shoe protest were countless other copy-cat incidents on a similar foot.

Likewise, the sudden increase in far-right figures getting “milkshaked,” seems to indicate the transition to a new projectile of choice.

Now, instead of the cobbler, Friesian cows are the latest producers of ranged attacks.

Their payload, packaged in a fast-food cup, sticks on impact.

The damage – non-violent viral humiliation – is catastrophic and the UK’s police forces have already taken measures to ban these munitions.

Milkshaking Tommy Robinson

In the past month, footage emerged of a man throwing his milkshake over Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (AKA Tommy Robinson), the former leader of the English Defence League (EDL).

The incident was met with cheers and members of the crowd could be heard calling Yaxley-Lennon a “Nazi” and a “Fascist”.

The footage can be seen below (WARNING: contains strong language).

This wasn’t the only incident involving Yaxley-Lennon and milkshake.

Below is footage from the Telegraph of a longer-range attempt at dousing the far-right activist.

The dairy revolution

Yesterday, the “rape-joke” UKIP candidate Carl Benjamin was drenched in milkshake for the fourth time in a week, according to UK news sites.

Dear Racist vile human welcome to Salisbury pic.twitter.com/M1DGjgzWc1 — Nigel (@Stegsythedog) May 19, 2019

The self-proclaimed “anti-feminist” has received widespread criticism for making a joke that he “wouldn’t even rape” an MEP in 2016.

Public criticism towards him increased significantly when he announced that he was running for MEP in the 2019 European elections.

The milkshake ban

Catching wind of the trending protest technique, the police have taken extra measures to prevent it from happening again.

In areas with Nigel Farage’s rallies, fast food businesses have reportedly been asked not to sell milkshakes by the police.

The McDonald’s next to the Farage demo. Someone clearly got wind. pic.twitter.com/kHETQ66TOq — Scott Macdonald (@scott_eff) May 17, 2019

Other brands have been fast to jump on the hype.

Burger King tweeted out saying: “Dear people of Scotland. We’re selling milkshakes all weekend. Have fun. Love BK # justsaying.”

This was followed by a quick clarification: “We’d never endorse violence – or wasting our delicious milkshakes! So enjoy the weekend and please drink responsibly people.”

Other popular tweets have shown maps of rallies and highlighted the nearest fast food outlets to purchase milkshakes.

Much like with shoes, there is little that can be done to prevent these incidents.

A blanket ban would be futile and wrong to enforce particularly if there is no hard evidence of intent to throw.