The animal welfare community continues to mourn the tragic passing of animal activist Regan Russell, who was struck and killed by a pig slaughterhouse transport truck during a peaceful protest at Sofina’s Fearmans slaughterhouse in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. This travesty occurred on June 19th as Russell was providing water to pigs on a hot day before the truck driver ran her over, and two days after the Ontario government passed ag-gag legislation putting activists and whistleblowers at risk.
Photo by: Graham Paine, Burlington Post
Today, hundreds of activists are gathering outside of the CBC head offices to demand that Russell’s story be told, and that industry and government be held accountable for actions against farmed animals and peaceful protestors.
The following is the schedule and the details for the important demonstration and march demanding justice for Regan Russell:
11:00 am – Activists meet outside the CBC headquarters located at 250 Front Street W, Toronto, ON M5V 3G5, Canada.
Noon – The march begins on John Street and turns right at Queen Street and then left on University Avenue to Queens Park.
1:15 pm – Arrival at Queen’s Park where there will be a rally which will feature speakers, including Russell’s husband, as well as an update from the Animal Save legal team on the state of the investigation.
More details about today’s event can be found HERE!
“Regan’s death was completely tragic, avoidable, and unnecessary,” Anita Krajnc, co-founder of Toronto Pig Save, said in a statement sent to WAN. “We are demanding the government repeal Bill 156 and legislate Regan’s Law, a bill of animal rights protecting farmed animals and also those exposing maltreatment. The world lost a kind, elegant, strong, and courageous person. She was one of Canada’s animal activism pioneers and deserved better.”
“I just hope everybody respects what she stood for. And we can see here today that she’s not alone, and let’s continue to not leave her alone,” Mark Powell, Regan’s husband said at a moving memorial vigil on Father’s Day, where he was joined by her mother and father. “Let’s protect what she stood for.”
Photo by: Graham Paine, Burlington Post
Mark also addressed Reagan’s fight against Ontario’s ag-gag Bill 156. Passed days before Reagan’s passing, the deplorable legislation intends “to protect farm animals, the food supply, farmers, and others from risks that are created when trespassers enter places where farm animals are kept or when persons engage in unauthorized interactions with farm animals.”
“We seek to repeal Bill 156 in its entirety, and let it be known we believe Regan’s blood is on the hands of those that supported this vile legislation,” stated Mark.
Anita Kranjnc, the noted organizer of Toronto Pig Save, shared on her Facebook Page ways that people can help Regan Russell and other animal activists gain justice by calling and emailing: Michael Latifi, owner of Fearmans: 905 747-3333 mlatifi@sofinafoods.com, Halton police chief: 905-825-4747 ext. 4700 and chiefofpolice@haltonpolice.ca
Demands, as noted by Kranjc include:
1. Urge the Prime Minister, Premier, and your local politician to make a statement on Regan Russell and the right of activists to protest in safety.
2. Enact Regan’s Law that guarantees the right to bear witness and repeal Ontario Bill 156.
3. Demand governments stop subsidizing animal agriculture and switch the subsidies to farmers and companies going plant-based.
4. Charges should be laid against the truck driver and Brussels Trucking company. Brussels operating license should be revoked.
5. There should be a public inquiry that looks at the systemic problems that enabled dangerous driving: how Fearmans slaughterhouse and the trucking companies created a culture of violence and how the police did not enforce the law against reckless and dangerous driving.
6. There needs to be safety agreements so activists can safely bear witness.
7. Demand Fearmans switch to a plant-based food company.
A GoFundMe Page has also been created to help Reagan’s family with funeral and legal expenses, as well as to continue her legacy. Please donate HERE!
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