3rd April, 2018, Animal Vigil- North East Animal Save (NEAS):
Waking up at 5 in the morning to get ready has never been my forte. As someone with anxiety, it can be really unsettling to get out there in the world as it is- today was my second time participating in an animal vigil, and I found it even more challenging than the first time!
The first time I got involved with NEAS was 22nd March, and I was terrified. For those of you who do not know what an animal vigil is, activists stand outside of slaughterhouses, come rain or shine, and peacefully try to engage with truck drivers who are making their ‘deliveries’, in addition to collecting footage of what happens to the animals who suffer as a result of the meat and dairy industry. It was described to me as ‘bearing witness’. I have been involved in activism in the past, but nothing like this! Bearing witness puts you out of your comfort zone. You are at the site of violence and murder, witnessing the last time these voiceless victims will ever see the light of day. It is one thing to see footage of animals suffering online; there is more of a detachment and distance from the situation than actually being there in person.
This time, someone I had met from the previous vigil kindly offered to give me a lift to participate- and I am truly grateful for that, as I find it difficult to discuss veganism with family. Yet, when it comes to meeting new people, I am basically a turtle withdrawn in it’s shell! Anxiety makes my mind race; panic; and stumble over words. Still, I tell myself that I must challenge my mind, do it for the animals. Luckily, the vegan community are all very welcoming, and even though being at a site of such violence can make your brain delve into an isolated and tumultuous stream of consciousness about what you are bearing witness to, it is truly inspiring to be surrounded by so many people who come with compassion and commitment; to one another and for all sentient beings.
In the past, I’ve heard people say that veganism is a fashion trend- it’s not. The activists who come here, stand out in the cold, rain, snow, or heat for hours, witnessing the very thing that they stand against, because they want to show compassion, they want to make a change. Clearly, there is something so much more meaningful than the artificial semblance that people imply!
Before I became involved with NEAS, I had always thought activism was going to be this incredible, full-of-action, and rewarding experience where we made a massive change. The truth is, my experience has shown me otherwise. I’m not saying we don’t make a difference- not at all! What I am saying is that, when you’re out there, waiting for trucks to arrive, you can be stood waiting for a while- and like today- trucks may not turn up. Activism can feel like you’re not making a difference, and like you’re completely helpless to what is going on.
Surely trucks not bringing animals to a slaughterhouse would be a good thing? Of course, in an ideal world I would love this, but my question is, where are these trucks? Did they set off to the slaughterhouse and then hear of our arrival? Were they sat somewhere with a truck brimming with suffering animals waiting for us to leave? For a moment, I asked myself, is our presence really helping or is it making things worse?
Then it hit me.
If my questioning was indeed the case, and then this means that the slaughterhouse feared our actions; they must feel like they have something to hide. We’re not violent, show no aggression, just love for the animals! So why would they stop deliveries while we came? We must be making a difference. They don’t want people to witness the truth. They don’t want you to see- it’s bad for business. This realisation really struck me, and I recalled all the times I heard people criticise vegans for being too militant. Yet, here we were, standing together, our presence known to the slaughterhouse, and it was making a difference. I am beginning to understand more and more why vegans are militant. If we sit back in silence, then these industries would continue unchallenged, and triumphant in their atrocities. If we speak up, we raise awareness in the industry, and with the public.
This realisation was truly enlightening for me, and I feel even more reaffirmed in my hopes for a vegan world than before. If you’re interested in finding out how to get involved, or would like any advice on how you can make a difference, don’t hesitate to drop me a message.
Fight for our world! <3