If you are involved with managing plants, it’s not news to you that activist groups like The Save Movement have been conducting regular vigils outside of plants for years. The organization’s leadership has even said their goal is to “have a vigil at every slaughterhouse.” As part of these vigils, activists demand that trucks stop for two minutes to allow them to “bear witness” to the animals — approaching trucks to reach inside and pet livestock or offer them water. The Alliance and others have long warned of the danger of having people stop and approach trucks, frequently in public roadways.

Unfortunately, what we’ve feared could happen finally did a few weeks ago when a Canadian activist was struck and killed by a transport truck in a tragic accident while protesting outside of a plant. This incident has attracted the attention of activists around the world, leading to an upswing of vigils and protests that will likely continue, as well as acts of vandalism such as destroying trucks. The Animal Liberation Front, well-known for using destructive tactics and being considered a terrorist threat, offered a reward for information about the driver who was involved in the accident. Activists have also targeted the trucking company, the company that owns the plant and local law enforcement in their efforts to seek vengeance.

Beyond these vigils that are obviously problematic, activists are also targeting truckers and transport companies in other ways, including making calls on social media for drivers to anonymously share information about meat company operations. As you consider your company’s plan for handling activism make sure to consider truck drivers, whether they are on your staff or external contractors. Drivers need to be prepared to deal with activists, whether it is someone approaching them asking for an animal to be released or a new acquaintance asking odd questions about their job.

The tragic accident in Canada happened just after Bill 156, the Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, was passed by the Ontario legislature. The bill helps deter trespassers by escalating fines for trespassing offenses, allowing courts to order restitution for damage to livestock or from theft, increasing protection for farmers against civil liability from people hurt while trespassing and removing content to enter a farm property when it was given under duress or false pretenses. While activists are using the incident to argue against the bill, I think it demonstrates exactly why more measures of protection for farms and plants against the escalating tactics of activist groups are needed.

As an industry, we need to take steps to protect drivers from being put into situations where human safety could be at risk. Some companies have agreed to have trucks stop for two minutes to give activists their time to “bear witness.” Following the recent incident activist groups are now demanding five minutes, and that will only increase. After all, their ultimate goal is for the trucks to not be running at all. There is no reason to negotiate with these organizations or allow them anything other than their right to peacefully protest in areas where it is safe and lawful for them to do so. Activists have a right to express their opinions, and companies have a right to operate their plants uninterrupted. I hope we can find a way to allow both of those things to happen lawfully and without an accident like this ever happening again.

Canadian activist killed while protesting plant

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