Protestors have gathered at a British Columbia pig farm days after footage was released allegedly showing animals being abused at the facility.
The video, released by activists at PETA , was said to have been shot at Excelsior Hog Farm in Abbotsford.
It showed dead piglets among live animals, other piglets struggling to survive, pigs with large growths and infections and pigs crammed together in tight cages.
HAPPENING NOW! 200 ANIMAL LIBERATION ACTIVISTS AT EXCELSIOR HOG FARM: 33133 Harris Road, Abbotsford B.C. Canada 65 Activists are LOCKED DOWN inside the farm. A further 140 Activists are holding a protest outside of the facility. This action is part of the international movement called “MEAT THE VICTIMS” At 6am on Sunday April 28, 2019, a group of 65 concerned citizens peacefully entered Excelsior hog farm, as well as another 140 individuals who are gathered outside of the property in support, acting in response to appalling video footage recently released by PETA. The aim of this action is to expose the reality of what is happening to the victims of the ‘meat’ industry and to challenge the current mindset within our society. The truth is being hidden from the public and we believe that people are making choices that go against their values. Most people are against animal cruelty & would not want to support this industry if they knew what was truly happening. The public has a right to know. These industries perpetuate the ‘humane myth’ with labels such as ‘local,’ ‘free range’, ‘grass fed’, ‘organic’, & ‘cage free’ - all terms which are used to deceive and mislead the public into believing that animals are ‘humanely raised & humanely killed’. We are here to show that this is not the case. We are forcing transparency in an industry that relies on secrecy. The needless violence inflicted upon these animals needs to stop. This facility is not unique in their horrendous treatment of animals. This is a standard representation of factory farming here in Canada. This action is not about this one facility, or a call for better animal welfare standards, but rather a call to end the inherently violent animal agriculture industry entirely. Our message is simple; “animals are here with us, not for us”. We are taking a stand to speak up for animals, and we are showing the public the victims of their food choices. We are demanding justice, respect & equality for ALL animals, and we will continue to do so until the message of Animal Liberation is heard loud & clear and the animal exploitation industry is permanently shut down. #meatthevictims #meatthevictimscanada
A post shared by @ eatplants.behappy on Apr 28, 2019 at 7:22am PDT
On Sunday, activists said 200 protestors had descended on the property to demonstrate.
Pictures and footage from the scene show activists singing as they stand outside the farm.
Some footage also shows protestors inside the building as they speak with police officers.
A group known as “Meat the Victims” said in a statement that they had come from “all over North America”.
They explained: “We are speaking out against the cruelty of the animal agriculture industry, and to stand in solidarity for the animals.
“The aim of this action is to expose the reality of what is happening to the victims of the ‘meat’ industry and to challenge the current mindset within our society.”
HAPPENING NOW! 200 ANIMAL LIBERATION ACTIVISTS AT EXCELSIOR HOG FARM: 33133 Harris Road, Abbotsford B.C. Canada 65 Activists are LOCKED DOWN inside the farm. A further 140 Activists are holding a protest outside of the facility. This action is part of the international movement called “MEAT THE VICTIMS” At 6am on Sunday April 28, 2019, a group of 65 concerned citizens peacefully entered Excelsior hog farm, as well as another 140 individuals who are gathered outside of the property in support, acting in response to appalling video footage recently released by PETA. The aim of this action is to expose the reality of what is happening to the victims of the ‘meat’ industry and to challenge the current mindset within our society. The truth is being hidden from the public and we believe that people are making choices that go against their values. Most people are against animal cruelty & would not want to support this industry if they knew what was truly happening. The public has a right to know. These industries perpetuate the ‘humane myth’ with labels such as ‘local,’ ‘free range’, ‘grass fed’, ‘organic’, & ‘cage free’ - all terms which are used to deceive and mislead the public into believing that animals are ‘humanely raised & humanely killed’. We are here to show that this is not the case. We are forcing transparency in an industry that relies on secrecy. The needless violence inflicted upon these animals needs to stop. This facility is not unique in their horrendous treatment of animals. This is a standard representation of factory farming here in Canada. This action is not about this one facility, or a call for better animal welfare standards, but rather a call to end the inherently violent animal agriculture industry entirely. Our message is simple; “animals are here with us, not for us”. We are taking a stand to speak up for animals, and we are showing the public the victims of their food choices. We are demanding justice, respect & equality for ALL animals, and we will continue to do so until the message of Animal Liberation is heard loud & clear and the animal exploitation industry is permanently shut down.
A post shared by Claire Buchanan ⓥ (@crueltyfreewithme) on Apr 28, 2019 at 7:04am PDT
The group added: “We are demanding justice, respect and equality for ALL animals, and we will continue to do so until the message of Animal Liberation is heard loud and clear and the animal exploitation industry is permanently shut down.”
Under B.C. law, hog farmers must care for the health of the herd and remove any animals identified as injured, sick or deceased.
According to PETA, the farm is one of the largest pig factory farms in the province and is owned by a director of the BC Pork Producers Association.
BC SPCA said the farm has no history of animal seizures or charges.
