Animal-rights activists targeted an Abbotsford hog farm early Sunday, as part of a protest movement called “Meat the Victims.”
The group of 200 people who say they are “animal liberation activists” descended on Excelsior Hog Farm at 33133 Harris Rd. at 6 a.m.
One group lined both sides of the road in front of the farm, while another group ran down a side road and onto the property.
Several police cars arrived shortly after.
A statement issued after the occupation said the farm was targeted due to video released by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals last week that they claim depicts “the horrific conditions that the pigs were being raised in at this farm.”
“We have come together from all over North America in response to an investigation that was recently released from this farm. We are speaking out against the cruelty of the animal agriculture industry, and to stand in solidarity for the animals,” said the statement.
“The aim of this action is to expose the reality of what is happening to the victims of the ‘meat’ industry and to challenge the current mindset within our society”
The protesters have asked police to escort the media gathered there into the barn to view the conditions. It’s not known if the media will be permitted into the area occupied by protesters.
In the mid-morning, protesters on the road were facing the farm, singing. The farm was taped off by police.
Last week, PETA released video that it said was taken at Excelsior Hog Farm.
It shows deceased piglets and others that appear to have trouble standing. It appears the camera is being carried by someone moving at night within the farm.
Postmedia reported this month that the Harris Road farm had been the target of a break-in during which hidden cameras were installed inside and outside the barn.
Abbotsford police said a pair of surveillance cameras were found surreptitiously installed at the farm. The cameras were discovered in late March at the family-owned farm, Abbotsford police said.
The video footage began March 15, according to a time stamp, and the cameras primarily captured pigs, said police.
Police believe the cameras were installed during a break-in between March 15 and 22. It didn’t appear as though any damage had been done to the property. The farm’s owners could not be reached for comment.
The statement released by the protesters said: “The truth is being hidden from the public and we believe that people are making choices that go against their values. Most people are against animal cruelty and would not want to support this industry if they knew what was truly happening. The public has a right to know.
“These industries perpetuate the ‘humane myth’ with labels such as ‘local,’ ‘free range’, ‘grass fed’, ‘organic’, and ‘cage free’ — all terms which are used to deceive and mislead the public into believing that animals are ‘humanely raised and humanely killed’.
“Our message is simple: ‘animals are here with us, not for us.’
“Today we are taking a stand to speak up for animals, and we are showing the public the victims of their food choices. We are demanding justice, respect and equality for ALL animals, and we will continue to do so until the message of Animal Liberation is heard loud and clear and the animal exploitation industry is permanently shut down.”
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