Regan Russell, an animal right pioneers, was killed at a pig vigil. Regan, 65 was violently struck and killed by a pig transport truck in front of Sofina’s Fearmans slaughterhouse on Friday, June 19, 2020. She was at a Toronto Pig Save vigil with six other activists giving pigs water on one of the hottest days of the year. She regularly attended pig vigils and on this particular day, Regan was there to oppose Ontario’s “ag-gag” Bill 156, which had passed two days prior. We call on the Ontario government to overturn the "ag-gag" law that prohibits giving water to thirsty pigs.
Watch “I’m Trying” trailer: “I don’t know if it does any good, but doing nothing does no good.” - Regan Russell
A long-time social justice activist, and animal advocate since 1979, Regan believed all life was worth fighting for.
She was arrested on 11 occasions for various acts of non-violent civil disobedience, stating, “People say we’re breaking the law… How do you think women got the right (to vote)? How do you think slavery was abolished? People stood up and broke the laws — because they’re stupid laws.”
Regan was a wife, a daughter, a sister, a best friend, and we will not let the candles go out.
What is Bill 156?
“Ag-gag” Bill 156 is a dangerous piece of legislation designed to criminalise whistle-blowers, journalists, and activists from performing their vital role in exposing the horrific treatment of farmed animals.
It specifically targets groups such as Animal Save Movement and those who peacefully bear witness to farmed animals outside slaughterhouses, provide water to dehydrated animals, and document their suffering.
Bill 156 is likely to increase the risk of dangerous driving by slaughterhouse truck drivers, since it offers farmer protection against civil liability from anyone hurt while contravening the act. This provision could enable and embolden transport truck drivers to drive aggressively and endanger the lives of peaceful, law-abiding citizens.
Bearing witness at animal vigils is a basic right to freedom of expression.
Read more about Bill 156: StopBill156.com
Justice & Regan’s Law
Regan’s legacy of love and compassion lives on through each and every one of us fighting for change. In March 2023, the truck driver who Regan pleaded guilty to careless driving causing death and was ordered to pay a $2,000 fine and received a 12-month probation period, during which time he could only drive for work, or to and from his job.
Animal Save Movement demand Justice for Regan and are working towards the following goals:
- Repeal Bill 156 with immediate effect
- Implement Regan’s Law, a bill of rights seeking legal recognition of personhood and protection for farmed animals
- Demand Fearmans slaughterhouse agree to an activist safety agreement to prevent future tragedies
- Defund the animal agriculture industry, and re-direct subsidies to revolutionize a plant-based food system for the benefit for animals, people, and the planet
Resources
Videos
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Watch There Was a Killing by Earthlings Director Shaun Monson. Free online screening.
JUSTICE for REGAN RUSSELL #JusticeForReganRussell
For more videos of Regan please visit our Go Vegan 4 Regan playlist.
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"Regan Russell spent the final moments of her life providing comfort to pigs who had never experienced the touch of a kind hand. While her tragic death has brought upon deep sorrow in the Animal Save [Movement] community, we will honor her memory by vigorously confronting the cruelties she fought so hard to prevent by marching with Black Lives, protecting Indigenous rights, fighting for LGBTQ equality, and living a compassionate vegan life. The Ontario government can attempt to silence us with the passage of its Ag-Gag bill - Bill 156 - but we will never go away and we will never back down."