FARM's
Slaughterhouse Vigil & Protest at
Perdue
The observance was coordinated by FARM (Farm Animal Rights Movement) with support and participation from United Poultry Concerns, Eastern Shore Chicken Sanctuary, The Humane League of Baltimore, and DARTT (Defending Animal Rights Today & Tomorrow).
Despite prior reports that Perdue’s killing machines operate non-stop year-round (only closing on Christmas), the plant was closed when we arrived. The front gates were locked and no trucks entered or exited the entire day. Could it be that they decided to close after local police notified them of our plans? If so, more than 200,000 chickens were spared from slaughter that day at the plant.
As the vigil came to a close, we spent time connecting with old friends and meeting new ones. The long day left us tired but inspired. We held the experience close to our hearts to reenergize our efforts on behalf of farmed animals everywhere. Special thanks to the groups and volunteers who joined us.
The Perdue Slaughterhouse Vigil was held in solidarity with World Farm Animals Day observances in all 50 U.S. states and 20 other countries. Coordinated by FARM (Farm Animal Rights Movement) and co-sponsored by In Defense of Animals, World Farm Animals Day is a time dedicated to exposing, mourning, and memorializing the needless suffering and slaughter of the more than 55 billion cows, pigs, turkeys, chickens, and other sentient land animals in the world's farms and slaughterhouses. |
Saturday,
October 4th, two dozen animal rights activists
from around the region observed the 26th
annual
World Farm Animals Day with a powerful protest
and solemn candlelight vigil outside the
Perdue slaughterhouse in Salisbury Maryland. 
Dedicated activists from Virginia, DC, Maryland
and Delaware traveled several hours each
way to reach Salisbury, in the Delmarva Peninsula,
America’s bird-killing mecca responsible
for 13 million ready-to-eat corpses every
week.
Our efforts
garnerned plenty of public attention. The
plant is located on Route 50, a well-traveled
parkway. With activists dispersed to all
four corners, thousands
of weekend travelers, local residents
and participants from a near-by bicycle race
read our messages on behalf of chickens and
other animals slaughtered for food. Commuters
saw our large bold signs, graphic photos
and striking banners: Perdue Stop
the Slaughter! -- Stop Daily
Terror on Animals -- There’s
No Excuse for Animal Abuse -- 25,000,000
Slaughtered Every Day in the U.S. -- and
many more.
As
the sun set, we entered the next stage of
our event, the candlelight vigil. Gathering
in silence at the slaughterhouse entrance, each participant held a candle to
mourn for the sensitive creatures who suffered in life and endured a horrific slaughterhouse
end. Feathers scattered
on the ground served as a reminder
of each individual who was brutally raised
and ruthlessly killed.
