Thousands of animal rights activists are set to converge on Melbourne CBD this evening and grind the city to a halt for the largest animal rights march in Australian history.
It comes after the premiere of Dominion, an Australian documentary focused on the routine abuse and cruelty in Australian farming systems, as well as animals used for entertainment, research, companion animals and wildlife. Seven years in the making, the film revealed never-before-seen footage and utilised new technologies such as hidden camera and drone footage. The film is narrated by Hollywood celebrities Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara.
Dominion’s writer and editor, Chris Delforce, says the activists are angry after witnessing the cruelty in the documentary, and that tonight will just be the beginning..
"We’re all angry, but we’re also inspired. Dominion will create a new wave of animal activism here in this country. We’re going to be even bigger, louder and stronger than we have even been before."
"Saturday signifies the launch of 6 months of coordinated actions aimed at systematically tearing down the walls that, until now, have hidden the greatest injustice in human history."
"Many people will have seen the increasing animal activism across the country in recent months. From lockons in piggeries, to slaughterhouse disruptions - we plan on continuing this trend and we plan on being everywhere."
"Industries that use and abuse animals should definitely be scared. No longer will they be able hide behind a veil of secrecy, deceiving consumers about high welfare standards or so-called happy farms."
"After visiting hundreds of farms and slaughterhouses across the country, and watching thousands of hours of footage, it’s abundantly clear to me that fear, pain and suffering are inherent to these industries. For the billions of animals who go through these systems every year, it’s never a happy or humane end, but a desperate fight to their last breath. So to those who profit from this suffering, we have one message: everything is about to change."
The march begins at 6pm at the State Library of Victoria, and will end at Federation Square. Activists will wear black/dark colours and there will be a live performance to kick off the march and a large truck leading the march showing video footage of the film.
Chris Delforce will be available for interview prior to and at the march.
Visit this link to view footage from the film and the increasing spate of activism across the country.
