Their Turn - The Social Justice Movement of Our Time Their Turn - The Social Justice Movement of Our Time

Archives

Before Being Arrested, Animal Rights Activists Explain Why They Chained Themselves to Factory Farm Gate

August 5, 2019 by Leave a Comment


The News

On June 3rd, an estimated 600 animal liberation activists with Direct Action Everywhere (DxE)  traveled to Reichardt Duck Farm, a factory farm and slaughterhouse in Petaluma, California, to rescue ducks in need of medical care and to protest and expose the inhumane conditions.

Before being arrested for chaining themselves to the front gate, two activists spoke to TheirTurn about why they were protesting:

“Reichardt Farms is a cruel, environmentally destructive factory farm masquerading as small family operation with happy ducks,” said Matt Johnson, a spokesperson for DxE. “The public has the right to know the truth – that these aquatic animals spend their entire lives in dark warehouses with no access to water, sunlight and the outdoors.”

As the protest at Reichardt Farms began, several activists attached themselves with bike locks to the conveyer belt in the slaughterhouse. To their astonishment, a slaughterhouse worker activated the conveyer belt, almost killing one of the activists. Another groups of activists retrieved dead ducks from the trash and brought them outside to show to the media. A third group of activists rescued sick ducks before they were slaughtered.

Direct Action Everywhere activist Thomas Chiang is almost killed after slaughterhouse worker turns on the slaughter line to which he is attached.

Two hours after the protest began, approximately 40 police officers in riot gear marched through the throngs of protesters and stationed themselves behind the activists who were chained to the front gate. Several hours later, they began cutting the chains and making arrests.

Throughout the afternoon, the riot police arrested approximately 100 activists and held the majority of them in Sonoma county jail for 48 hours. While several were charged with felonies, the majority received misdemeanor charges.

Stand off between riot police and DxE activists protesting animal abuse at Reichardt Duck Farms

Because the protest received extensive press coverage in the mainstream media, the cruelty of Reichardt Farms and the massive protests that took place will likely dominate google searches of this company for years to come.


Filed under: Food
Tagged with: , ,

Activist Threatens to Dive in Front of Boats to Protect Baby Ducks

June 1, 2014 by Leave a Comment


The News

A  animal rights activist in England has threatened to dive in front of Cambridge rowers to protect baby ducklings who are being “mowed down” by fast-moving boats.  The local rowing association says that requiring the rowers to slow down for part of the seasons is “unreasonable.”

Photo credit: Duncan Lamont

Photo credit: Duncan Lamont

News & Opinion

Crashing into animals when it can be avoided is inexcusable, especially when it’s being done as part of a recreational activity.  Does the rowing association really think that the lives of ducks are less important than someone’s workout?  When baby ducks are nearby, slow the hell down!


Filed under: Entertainment, WIldlife
Tagged with: , ,