Organised by the non-profit organisation Our Planet. Theirs Too., National Animal Rights Day (NARD) aimed to show the public first-hand the results of our society’s brutal treatment of animals and to commemorate the billions of animals killed each year for food, their fur and skins, laboratory tests, and entertainment.

A large group of animal rights activists in Christchurch joined thousands globally on Sunday, 1st June, to commemorate the 15th National Animal Rights Day, and the 4th consecutive National Animal Rights Day in Ōtautahi Christchurch.

Events were held in over 150 major cities worldwide, including Los Angeles, Berkeley, Anchorage, Phoenix, Denver, Toronto, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, London, Paris, Perth, Hong Kong, Manila, New York, and more.

Event coordinator, Sarah Jackson, said, “The day was an incredibly powerful tribute to all animals who are the victims of human oppression.”

Activists held the deceased bodies of two lambs, retrieved from a meat farm after succumbing to harsh weather last winter, and four ducks that had been shot and left at Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere during this year’s duck shooting season, while ceremonial speeches took place.

“We then read the Declaration of Animal Rights and welcomed everyone to sign it,” said Jackson.

Following the ceremony, the event took a lighter turn, as celebrations highlighting the strides humans are making to cease the exploitation of other animals commenced. Key speakers included Tara Jackson, the proud co-founder of Beyond Animal Research (BAR) - a bold new charity uniting scientists, advocates, and changemakers to revolutionise science by eliminating the harmful use of animals.

Julia Grater, the founder and CEO of We.are.tohorā, also spoke. Julia's work encompasses research on marine mammals and the profound connection between human well-being and ocean health.

Performances from local vegans included the University of Canterbury student duo, POLSON and Seymour Stocks, a partnered duo. Both bands delivered songs dedicated to animals for the event.

The deceased animals have now been laid to rest during a funeral-like burial. When considering their moral worth, they will continue to be viewed as equals to humans and treated as such. Activists are calling for their rights to be granted and upheld. You can read & sign the Declaration of Animal Rights here: https://declarationofar.org/

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