BERKELEY (KCBS) – Diners at Chez Panisse were in the middle of enjoying a late meal on Friday night when some animal rights activists walked in to the restaurant and allegedly refused to leave.

Berkeley Police were called to the scene at about 11 p.m. to deal with about a dozen protesters who witnesses say were yelling and screaming.

A statement from the animal rights group Direct Action Everywhere claims it was actually the restaurant’s manager and other employees who were yelling and screaming – and also said those employees got physical with the activists.

The group says the activists were merely passing out flowers to diners while discussing with them the torture and killing of animals.

Most of the protesters were gone by the time police arrived. No one was arrested, and Chez Panisse declined to press charges.