A shadow is cast over our planet. It is the shadow of deforestation, desertification, extinction. It is the darkness of air pollution, drought and flooding.
We have never faced this kind of threat before.
The clock isn’t just ticking. Time’s almost up.
The climate emergency is upon us. It is a nightmare of our own making. It doesn’t only impact humans, but animals too. And it isn’t the only nightmare we have inflicted on this planet.
Ed Winters - London
Jessie Nadeau - Montreal
Everyone here today knows a nightmare already exists, and continues every day, for the billions of pigs, cows, sheep and every animal trapped inside the food system. The nightmare is real for the billions of farmed fishes and the trillions more ripped from their ocean homes.
All of this just to benefit humans. This is at the root of our climate catastrophe.
What we declare today is this: we cannot end the climate emergency without ending the animal emergency. There can be no climate rebellion without animal rebellion.
Animal agriculture and fishing ravage and poison our oceans. They leave our land barren and uninhabitable. They exploit our animal kin. They obliterate wildlife.
It is animal agriculture and fishing that are driving us to extinction. The misery of animals trapped in these industrial systems cannot go unchallenged.
We say no more!
We’ve seen the rise of Extinction Rebellion. We’ve been inspired and excited by their success. We have chosen to stand in solidarity with them, and other groups, as part of a movement of movements to transform society and bring about justice for all.
We are not here simply to disrupt these unjust and unsustainable industries. We are here because we have to be; for the sake of all life these industries must end. We urgently need to transition to a plant-based food system.
Our love, compassion and respect for all life demand an end these industries and their atrocities. The fate of the planet depends on it. The freedom of billions of animals depends on it.
We declare rebellion against the government and the animal agriculture and fishing industries which abandon every being’s right to life in favour of self-interest.
We affirm that these industries share equal blame with the fossil fuels sector when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions and the climate emergency.
Our government has failed in its duty to offer justice to animals. It has failed to provide a plant-based food system fit for purpose. It has failed to guarantee the health and security of its people. It is our duty to raise the alarm and rebel.
We say act now!
It will not be easy. But with nonviolence, love, and respect, we will hold our ground.
We will make our demands heard.
We demand a voice for all beings and a citizens’ assembly which can shift us into a plant-based food system.
We demand the government wakes up to the unfolding climate and ecological emergency; and we call on every right-minded citizen to join us.
We will rebel until every last being is free from torture, terror and tyranny.
We will rebel until every last being can breathe, nourish and thrive.
Anything else is certain extinction. We cannot back down until these industries and the climate crisis are ended. We cannot give up our fight for animals on this our home, our shared planet Earth.
We must light a candle in the darkness. Shine light on a new world for all species.
We act non-violently, in peace, with love for all species in our hearts. We will act with integrity, showing respect and kindness to all – including farmers, and police. We act on behalf of life.
Ignite the fuse. Burn bright. I declare myself a rebel for all life!