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8th International Animal Rights Day (IARD)
10th December 2005
Campaigners outside Sheffield University.
On the 8th International Animal Rights Day - 10 December 2005 - hundreds
of animal advocates across the world held candlelit vigils at establishments
involved in animal experiments, farming, bloodsports, and other forms
of animal exploitation & cruelty. Protesters lit candles to remember
animals that have suffered abuse at the hands of humans, and to call for
animals to be afforded basic rights not to be harmed, exploited or killed
for human 'benefit'.
Other groups and individuals took to the streets in towns and cities
in order to raise awareness of 'animal rights', how they are routinely
abused, and raise petitions calling for the basic rights of animals to
be recognized in accordance with the Universal
Declaration of Animal Rights.
This was also a great opportunity to demonstrate that 'animal rights'
is a rational, peaceful philosophy - contrary to how it is increasingly
portrayed in the media.
International Animal Rights Day (IARD) was conceived and is co-ordinated
by British animal protection organization, Uncaged Campaigns. In the most
widely supported IARD ever seen since it's inception 8 years ago over
40 events took place across the UK, plus 6 in Ireland,
16 in France,
10 in Italy, 2
in Switzerland,
and further events in the Netherlands,
Belgium, Luxembourg,
Russia, Israel,
the USA,
Mexico, Argentina,
Nigeria, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.
IARD vigil in Italy.
Every event - from Sydney to Sheffield - had two key aims in common:
- the promotion of informed and rational debate about humanity relationship
with other animals
- the proclamation of basic rights of all animals not to be deliberately
exploited, harmed and killed
UK Actions
There were candlelit vigils at the following UK universities that are
involved in animal experiments: Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield, Nottingham,
Southampton, and Manchester. Vigils were also held at Huntingdon Life
Sciences, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals in Kent, Harlan UK in Leicestershire
- all vivisection facilities.
Vigil outside Harlan UK in Leicestershire.
Greyhound
Action UK co-ordinated a series of vigils at greyhound stadia in the
UK.
Walthamstow, Swindon, Glastonbury, Yarmouth and Coventry
dog tracks witnessed well-attended vigils that made a real impact with
punters and media alike.
Cancer Research UK shops, Kentucky Fried Chicken outlets, and battery
farms were also the subjects of peaceful candlelit protests that drew
a good deal of media attention.
 Campaign
stalls and leafleting blitzes in town and city centres raised a great
deal of awareness about 'animal rights' and sought to redress the negative
and false preconceptions people have about these two words.
Many of these were reported in the local media; and dozens of letters
about the day of action and concepts behind it were published in newspaper
letters pages.
Vigils in Yarmouth (top right) and Bromley (bottom).
18 events in France and Switzerland were co-ordinated by our friends at
International
Campaigns:
"In France, there was an increase in the number of actions in comparison
with IARD 2004, with the participation of 15 local groups and about 100
people. Tens of thousands of animal rights oriented leaflets were handed
to the public throughout France as well as in Switzerland (Geneva and
Neuchatel) and in Luxembourg City.
IARD vigil in Paris, France.
Several information stalls throughout France (Paris, Grenoble, Laval,
Lyon, Nantes, Marseilles, Montpellier and Strasbourg) displayed pictures
and videos of animals abused in: vivisection laboratories for cruel experiments,
in farms for meat and milk. some groups focused more on the foie gras
and fur markets because these two industries are at their peak in winter
times. Hundreds of leaflets were distributed and hundreds of people signed
up to the Universal Declaration of Animal Rights.
Photographs from an article published in the Luxembourg
Wort on 12.12.2005 about the events in Luxembourg for IARD.
Things are moving slowly but surely for animal rights in France as more
campaigns and local actions for animal rights are being set up in this
country."
Ireland
"Our joint candlelit vigil with Irish Antivivisection Society (IAVS)
to support IARD was a tremendous success for the second year running.
We had another huge turn out along with ARAN's 'chicken' (Henrietta) who
waved to many passers by and led our joint march from Dail Eireann (Irish
government buildings) to Dublin's busiest shopping street, Grafton Street.
We made a huge impact and gave out hundreds of postcards and leaflets."
aran.blogs.ie
Candlelit vigil in Dublin, Ireland.
Israel
"On the 10th December we had a gathering in Herzlia in order to
remember the Animal Rights Day. During the evening we had lighted candles,
handed out printed leaflets and invited other people to take a part in
the event and light a candle with us." Pictures
and a report (in Hebrew)
Candlelit vigil in Herzlia, Israel.
The Netherlands
"The demo went well, with about 30 people. It was held in front
of Parliament, and we symbolic lit candles for all the animals that died
in 2005 all over the world, but especially in Holland. And we placed a
wreath in front of the building. Because the parliament building is in
the middle of the city centre of The Hague, lots of people saw us and
we distributed hundreds of leaflets." www.edev.nl
Dutch campaigners in front of the parliament building,
The Hague, Netherlands.
Belgium
"On International Animal Rights Day Bite Back conducted an information
stall in the centre of Hasselt (Belgium). Several activists in animal
costumes (Vicky the fox, Leo the lion, Sally the Beagle and Rex the rabbit)
asked the shoppers to sign the Universal Declaration of Animal Rights,
and within a couple hours more than 450 people had done so." www.biteback.be
Shoppers signing the Universal Declaration of Animal
Rights in Hasselt, Belgium.
Argentina
"Anima organised an event in front of the Japanese garden in Bueno
Aires City, with a public information table, with leaflets and posters
to raise awareness about animal cruelty and how people can be a part
of ending it. Activists from Latin America and Europe were joined by
the Vegan Branch Party, who brought a wide range of delicious vegan
food. Speeches about respecting other sentient creatures, and the importance
of IARD were followed by an amazing exhibition of Kung Fu from the School
of Ecologist Dragons took place. After 4 hours the activists gathered
under the vegan peace flag, which "waved firm, secure and vital
like our convictions, under the impressing December sky in Buenos Aires."
www.anima.org.ar
Argentinian activists gather under the vegan peace
flag and watch a Kung Fu exhibition.
Related links:
Uncaged Campaigns 06.02.06 |
