A Year After the PH Animal Rights March: The connection between human and animal justice
How far are you willing to go for animals to be free?
As much as this question arguably requires a figurative answer, I know we might need to take the literal route — and that’s what many fellow animal justice advocates from the Philippines did. During the Animal Rights March on June 3, 2023, we marched 6.5 kilometers with creative banners and posters, all in the spirit of getting animal voices heard.
An estimated 150 people came from different parts of the country to join the march for animals.
Photo by Tracy Pabico Leaño
“Animal justice and human justice will always meet at the crossroads — this is why we chant, ‘One struggle, one fight; human freedom, animal rights.’ We cannot magnify the voices of animals if we are unwilling to heed the voices of the people. Let’s remember what our chant means and how much easier it is to move forward for the animals if we think of doing it together.”
One struggle, one fight
I was given the privilege of speaking in front of the wonderful people who gathered for animal justice, and I said, “Animal justice and human justice will always meet at the crossroads — this is why we chant, ‘One struggle, one fight; human freedom, animal rights.’ We cannot magnify the voices of animals if we are unwilling to heed the voices of the people. Let’s remember what our chant means and how much easier it is to move forward for the animals if we think of doing it together.”
I wonder, was it irony or foresight that a year after I said these things, one of our fellow animal advocates who joined us at the march was arrested?
Human freedom, animal rights
Edison Yu, arrested in relation to a protest he attended, has been in detention for five days as of this writing.
In a surprising and heartwarming act of solidarity, different groups outside of the animal justice movement also took to the streets for Edison: human rights groups, farmer groups, youth groups, food groups!
This incident made it apparent to our communities that indeed, humans need to be free if they are to fight for animals.
Our hearts are with Edison, a brave animal advocate. We at AAA wish for Edison’s immediate and safe release.
