Demo Report – Saturday, 13^th July 2002

 

VIVA! MARCH & RALLY – LONDON

 

Last Saturday, a very well supported march and rally took place in central London to highlight the plight of factory farmed animals and the many diseases which are being spread to humans as a direct result of factory farming. 

The well publicised event was the culmination of a series of national marches and rallies at various points around the UK.

A huge crowd of well over 2000 activists and supporters gathered in London’s Kennington Park on a glorious sunny day to hear enlightening and inspiring speeches from a number of celebrities and VIVA! supporters. 

Around 1.30pm, the inspired crowd set off on an hour and a half long march to Trafalgar Square via Kennington Road, Lambeth Bridge, Parliament Square and Whitehall. 

The march stopped at a local MacDonalds restaurant in Whitehall to let the franchisees and customers know what they thought of their policy of animal exploitation and rainforest destruction. 

The marchers were in good spirit with drums, megaphones, football rattles, whistles and horns continually on the go, drawing the public’s attention to the reasons behind the protest.  “There’s no excuse for animal abuse, END FACTORY FARMING!”  

Upon arrival at Trafalgar Square, a welcome rest was taken by the weary marchers before folks started moving on to the Camden Centre in Judd Street to attend a vegan/vegetarian food festival to round off a very successful day.

The event was well supported by members of Norwich SAFE and GYAAC, many having travelled down in a minibus from Norwich whilst others had made their way to the capital by car and train. 

To sum up, a great demo for the animals and one of the best supported events we have attended in a long while.  “End factory farming before it ends US!”

 

Patrick Burnside

Norwich SAFE