Animal Rights Pioneer Killed at Pig Vigil & Protest Against Bill 156
Regan Russell, 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.
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.
Watch There Was a Killing by Earthlings Director Shaun Monson. Free online screening.
Toronto Star release surveillance video and 911 calls from the scene of Regan Russell's tragic death
In November 2023, the Toronto Star released audio surveillance revealing the driver was told by a 911 dispatcher not to move his vehicle less than a minute before he drove forward and killed Regan. This evidence was not used in the court case.
"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."
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.
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
Take Action for Regan
There are many ways you can help fight animal injustice to ensure Regan’s legacy lives on:
SIGN OUR PETITION AGAINST BILL 156
Please sign and share our petition against BILL 156
WRITE TO YOUR MPP
Write to your MPP about Regan & ask them to repeal Bill 156.
JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST
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SIGN OUR PETITION ASKING FEARMANS TO AGREE TO A SAFETY AGREEMENT
Animal Save Movement and Toronto Pig Save have repeatedly called on Fearmans Pig Slaughterhouse to agree to a safety policy. We need your help to amplify our calls, to prevent a future tragedy.
FORMULA ONE
Nicholas Latifi, the son of Sofina's Founder and Executive Chairman, Michael Latifi, is racing in the Formula One (F1). Latifi’s car is funded by killing animals.
We call on the sponsors, supporters and owners of Formula One to reject Sofina blood money.
RAISE AWARENESS
Share images:
Use the hashtags #JusticeForReganRussell #ImTrying #RepealBill156 #GoVegan4Regan #SavePigs4Regan on social media and help bring Regan’s story to new audiences.
Share videos:
Share our videos with the hashtags #JusticeForReganRussell #ImTrying #RepealBill156 #GoVegan4Regan #SavePigs4Regan on social media. Use the videos we have provided below
Share press coverage:
Share some of the Regan Russell media coverage to help her story reach new audiences.
#GOVEGAN4REGAN
Challenge 22 offers participants a free, supportive online framework for trying veganism for 22 days. More than 400K people from all over the world have participated in the project since its launch in March 2014.
JOIN US
Join your local Save Chapter or start your own.
Resources
Videos
Copy and paste the video links below on your social media channels.
JUSTICE for REGAN RUSSELL #JusticeForReganRussell
For more videos of Regan please visit our Go Vegan 4 Regan playlist.
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