*Originally published 29 November 2020* November 30th: a day to commemorate and keep in our thoughts the hundreds of animal species that we have lost. This year’s theme is looking at anti-racism in the environmental movement. Living Planet, a WWF report, stated that between 1970 and 2010 the population sizes of all amphibians, fish, mammals, birds, and reptiles fell by half on average. Some of our favourite and loved animals are down to their last hundreds and we are the major cause for it. From all land used for agriculture, 77% is used directly and indirectly for animal agriculture. Rearing livestock and growing their food is the largest contributor to deforestation and the largest cause for endangered, near-extinct, and lost species. I spoke with 18[…]
6 Haunting Facts About UK Wildlife
*Originally published 31 October 2020* Since the 1970s we’ve been slowly exterminating wildlife around us. Here are five facts about UK wildlife which are plain spooky. 1. 41% of the UK’s biodiversity has declined. The main contributors are (1) agricultural practices, (2) climate change, (3) pollution, (4) woodland management, and (5) invasive non-native species introduction for shooting. In the UK, 72% of the land is managed for agriculture — devastating natural habitats everywhere. Climate change has caused the Kittiwake (gull) population to reduce by 70% and the Department for Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has been releasing and is due to release 50 million non-native birds to British natural sites each year. This is purely for fun — shooting as a sport — but the impacts are[…]
Animal Rebellion Prepares for a Terrifying Halloween — Climate Justice Movement Demonstrates Against Grouse Shooting
*Originally published 29 October 2020* Have you heard of The Butterfly Effect? No, not the Ashton Kutcher movie but the theory itself. It goes back to 1800, in The Vocation of Man, Johann Gottlieb Fichte says “you could not remove a single grain of sand from its place without thereby … changing something throughout all parts of the immeasurable whole”. The same can be said for our ecosystem- push one section of our natural world too far and the effects can be untold. This Hallo-week, climate justice movements: Animal Rebellion and Extinction Rebellion, are demonstrating to the British and Scottish governments the need to impose legislation that will protect and uphold our homes, habitats and country. This will happen by marking[…]
Why Animal Rebellion Shut Down a Slaughterhouse
*Originally published 9 September 2020* In solidarity with SMASH Speciesism, Animal Rebellion shut down a Pilgrim’s Pride pig slaughterhouse in Manchester for a full day. Over two hours prior to opening, rebels arrived at the slaughterhouse and obstructed the gateway by locking onto concrete-filled coffins. Two rebels entered the site and climbed bravely to the top of the gassing chambers. On their arrival, Animal Rebellion informed the slaughterhouse to call their suppliers and cancel lorry arrivals for the day – these lorries would be filled with pigs arriving at their final moments of breath. Managers from Pilgrim’s Pride agreed to this condition, confirming there would be no lorries coming on-site that day. Unfortunately, later in the day, as the police began[…]
Animal Rebellion Shuts Down a Manchester Slaughterhouse
*Originally published 7 September 2020* Animal farming is both a health risk and climate risk. In February, SMASH Speciesism locked themselves to concrete and blocked the entrance of Tulip Slaughterhouse, an abattoir in Manchester. The factory was brought to a standstill for 10 hours. SMASH Speciesism urged the factory to transition to a plant-based food production site instead of contributing to the 3000+ pigs they gas and stab each day. SMASH Speciesism is an anti-speciesist, non-violent, direct action group. Eleven members were to be held on trial today (7th September), but the trial was postponed. Today, Animal Rebellion also blockaded the same slaughterhouse, now under the ownership of Pilgrim’s Pride, to stand in solidarity with SMASH Speciesism. They demanded that all slaughterhouse trucks arriving[…]
We Cannot Let The Suppression of Science Become The Death of Democracy
*Originally published 4 September 2020* When you see a scientist arrested after telling the truth about the cause of climate destruction and global pandemics, there is a feeling of dread over what our political landscape has become. That is, at least, the feeling I had when witnessing ecologist Emma Smart being arrested in London, whilst she was speaking about the science of animal farming. Climate sceptic lobbies Governments across the world have a chokehold on the funding and publishing of scientific research. As long as it serves the status quo, they get to decide who the ‘experts’ are. For them, there is no driving concern to tell the truth based on rigorous scientific study when that science challenges the very[…]
How to Win the Battle Against the Animal and Climate Crisis
*Originally published 21 August 2020* Pre-word Animal Rebellion promotes civil disobedience as a catalyst for political and system change. We recognise the value of different campaign methods, such as lobbying MPs and signing petitions. However, there are other groups that already focus on these areas and they do it well. Our focus is on attention raising actions with higher consequences, such as risking arrest, and causing mass civil disobedience in full view of the public. We apologise for any inconvenience this causes, as our motives are directed towards the system, not the individual. Non-violent Direct Action Nobody wants to be arrested. Sitting in a police station for hours on end, with your liberty at risk, a criminal record that could[…]
Who Is Animal Rebellion? The Worldwide Movement.
*Update 8 November 2021* *Originally published 14 August 2020* Animal Rebellion is active in over 30 countries, including France, Spain, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Guatemala, South Africa, Israel, South America, North America and Australia. We continue to start new communities in all corners of the world that fight for a just and sustainable future for all: humans, animals, and the planet. In 2019, a small group of Extinction Rebellion members recognised an omission in climate activism: no one was seriously addressing the relationship between people, animals, and the planet. And so, they formed Animal Rebellion to raise awareness about this gap and expose the impact animal agriculture has on the climate and all animals involved, human and non-human. They came together[…]
Why Is Animal Rebellion Standing with UK Farmers
*Originally published 8 July 2020* Animal Rebellion is standing in solidarity with UK Farmers against the new Agricultural Bill 2020. You’re right, this is shocking. Why are we standing with the very farmers who keep the animal agricultural system going? The Agricultural Bill 2020 is a HUGE step backward for our food system and food security. What is the Agricultural Bill 2020? The Bill is replacing European Union (EU) Farming regulations and is setting new, lower standards for the future of British farming. The Bill allows cheaper, lower quality imports into the UK from countries like the US: including hormone-injected beef, chlorinated chicken and eggs. The meat allowed to be imported into the UK is currently illegal according to UK and EU legislation. How[…]
Fiona Oakes: The World Record Plant-Based Runner
*Originally published 18 June 2020* Fiona Oakes is nothing short of true inspiration. As a teenager, a knee condition left Fiona without a kneecap. In and out of doctor appointments and surgeries, Fiona was told that she would not be able to walk soon. Without coaches who believed in her ability to run because of her plant-based lifestyle; without any professional knowledge of marathon running; and whilst caring for hundreds of animals, Fiona became a world-class runner with marathon records in every continent. Why does Fiona keep running? Her drive to run marathons does not stem from a desire for running. It comes from a deep-rooted passion to show that a plant-based lifestyle is enough to do anything. In 2002, television and[…]