Hundreds Of Advocates March 207 Miles To Marshall BioResources To End Animal Testing
Photo Courtesy of UnchainedTV
Hundreds of animal advocates participated in the March to Abolish Animal Testing, a 207-mile journey across New York State that concluded at the gates of Marshall BioResources on Saturday, September 26.
The 14-day march began in Albany on September 12, bringing attention to the suffering of animals used in laboratories and calling for an end to animal testing in favor of humane, human-relevant research methods. More than 1,100 people signed up to take part in the historic campaign, according to the official March website.
Marshall BioResources, the destination of the march, is one of the world’s largest suppliers of animals used in research. The campaign followed recent efforts surrounding Ridglan Farms in Wisconsin, where more than 2,000 beagles were rescued after being bred for animal testing. March Co-Directors Ella Magers and Gretchen Primack both participated in the Ridglan campaign, and Magers adopted Jane, a beagle rescued from the facility.
Ahead of the 207-mile journey, Magers stated:
“The grueling pace of this march is intentional. It’s demanding, but any discomfort we experience pales in comparison to what animals at facilities like Marshall BioResources endure throughout their lives. These animals have been hidden from the public for far too long, and we intend to make sure they are seen, heard, and fought for.”
Primack stated:
“Outdated animal models no longer reflect the future of research. We have superior, non-animal methods at our fingertips that not only eliminate the need for animal testing but also provide superior human-relevant results. This march is about building public pressure and demanding an end to a system that treats sentient beings as disposable–and continues bad science to boot.”
The campaign is also calling for an end to federal funding for animal experiments and greater use of research methods that do not rely on animals. The March describes its goal as creating a future of “science without suffering.”
As the march continued, March for Animals shared a message underscoring the purpose behind the campaign:
“We march because ‘the way it’s always been done’ is not the same as ‘the way it has to be.’ Because science never needed suffering as its foundation. Because a beating heart is not a tool, not a model, not a means to an end.”
The movement also extended beyond the United States. On September 26, advocates in the United Kingdom marched from Huntingdon to MBR Acres in Cambridgeshire in solidarity with the U.S. campaign. Marshall BioResources owns MBR Acres, meaning advocates on both sides of the Atlantic reached facilities connected to the same company on the same day. Save the Dogs UK also created a memorial of 207 yellow ribbons, with one representing each mile walked in the United States.
WAN and Peace 4 Animals commend everyone who participated in this historic journey and continues to advocate for beagles and other animals used in research. We will continue to follow efforts to end animal testing and advance humane, human-relevant alternatives.
