Justice for Regan Russell

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.

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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. 



Justice for Regan Russell

"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."
JOAQUIN PHOENIX

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.

Regan Russell - A father lost his daughter here

Regan Russell - We are their voice

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

Oppose Bill 156

WRITE TO YOUR MPP

Write to your MPP about Regan & ask them to repeal Bill 156.

Write to Your MPP

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Sign up to our weekly newsletter for the latest news and action alerts.

Sign Up

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.

Demand Activist Safety

FORMULA ONE

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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.

Learn More

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.

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JOIN US

Join your local Save Chapter or start your own.

Join Us

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.

Download Social Media Images:

Click on images below to download the social media images.

Regan Russell removing bar code

Regan Russell all animals need protection under the law

Regan Russell - if you were in that truck we would be there for you too

Regan Russell We are their voice

Regan Russell Rest in Power

Regan Russell - Stop Killing

Regan Russell Rest in Power 2

Download Twitter Images:

Click on images below to download the Twitter images.

Justice for Regan Russell Twitter image 1

Justice for Regan Russell Twitter image 2

Justice for Regan Russell Twitter image 3

Justice for Regan Russell Twitter image 4

Download Posters and Stickers:

Click on either image below to download the print-ready two-sided A5 flyer.

Click on images below to download 3.5"x5" print-ready stickers.

Go Vegan for Regan sticker

Regan Russell sticker

Save Pigs 4 Regan sticker

Click on images below to download print-ready posters.

GoVegan4Regan