See Clare on Simon de Little’s YouTube here
Clare Knight, brave animal activist, has spent the past 5 and a half hours inside a farrowing crate measuring just 2metres by 50cm. She hopes to educate the public that being cramped in a cage 24 hours a day, 7 days a week is all part of factory farming, and this practice will not stop once sow stalls are gone. Clare will spend tonight inside the crate to highlight the plight of pigs.
Film Screening – 5pm, Eternal Treblinka, a short video on factory farming of pigs in Australia and Tasmania
When – Clare will be released from the crate at 10am Saturday July 28th
Where – Parliament lawns, Hobart
Activist confines herself in a ‘farrowing crate’ to highlight the cruelty of factory farms
After the decision for sow stalls to be phased out in 2013, Against Animal Cruelty Tasmania will be demonstrating that while this is a step in the right direction, the suffering is far from over for the pigs.
For their entire short lives, mother pigs are incarcerated inside sheds, and denied the right to experience their very basic natural instincts. One week before birth, the sows are moved to ‘farrowing crates’, which are similar to sow stalls – only smaller. This is where they stay till 3-4 weeks after, when their piglets are stolen away from them.
The mother pigs, who have a strong desire to build a nest and nurture their young, cannot even turn around or nuzzle their babies, instead they watch on as their screaming piglets have their teeth clipped, tails chopped off and are castrated with no pain relief.
“This brave activist has chosen to spend from 10am today, till 10am tomorrow inside a farrowing crate measuring just 2metres by 50cm. She hope’s to educate the public that being cramped in a cage 24/7 is all part of factory farming, and will not stop once sow stalls are gone.” says Chris Simcox co-ordinator of AACT.
“We want to thank the Tasmanian Government for taking a step in the right direction, as factory farming is abysmal, pigs are always going to suffer when crammed into sheds and impregnated over and over, until they are no longer considered productive and are sent to the slaughterhouse.”
People have the power to stop this, we are the ones fuelling this cruel industry by consuming its products, if we take that support away, things will change. For the pigs it will mean a world of difference,” concludes Chris.
• Update:
Support swells as protest reaches 12 hour mark
Support for Clare Knight’s 24 hour cage sit-in is swelling as support floods in from all over Tasmania.
As the protest reached its 12 hour mark, tree sitter Miranda Gibson personally contacted Clare from her tree top platform. “I called Clare to commend her courageous action and her willingness to put herself on the line to make a stand for what she believes in.” said Ms Gibson.
“I thought about Miranda, as I prepared myself mentally for this 24 hour cage sit. I drew strength from the determination and conviction she has shown over the past 7 months. I know I am not the only one fighting for what is right.” said Ms Knight.
A constant flow of well-wishers have helped to keep up Clare’s spirits.
“To see her in such a tiny cage, unable to move, it really makes you feel for all those pigs trapped in farrowing crates” passer-by Bridie McEntee commented.
The severe confinement is taking its toll, with Clare unable to move to relieve cramping muscles.
“This experience has really made me think of what it must be like for the pigs in farrowing crates, they develop sores as they lie for weeks on end on the concrete floors of their cages and like me they cannot move to relieve the pain. At least I can move a little bit; what I am going through here is nothing compared to what these pigs experience every day of their lives,” she said.
• Saturday morning update:
ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST CALLS AN END TO HER 24 HOUR VIGIL
After a 24 hour confinement in a farrowing crate, this little piggy’s going home.
Clare Knight, 33, of Longley, will end her cage sit protest at 10 am today on parliament lawns.
She has been confined in a metal farrowing crate measuring 200x 50cm for the last 24 hours since Friday morning, highlighting the continued inhumane incarceration of factory farmed pigs in Tasmania.
The protest attracted much attention, with enthusiastic supporters visiting all throughout the afternoon and night. Many passers by were unaware of the conditions which pigs in factory farms are forced to endure.
“Many people were unaware that pigs are still being caged in farrowing crates, despite the recent legislation to phase out sow stalls.” Ms Knight said, “Although sow stalls will be phased out by mid 2013 in Tasmania, farrowing crates will remain standard practice for pigs from the time they give birth until their piglets are removed from them.”
“It was very difficult not being able to move or to get up and walk when I had the desire to. The feeling of being trapped is overwhelming. I am feeling very stiff and sore and looking forward to being able to get out.”
