Veteran animal rights activists from the Philippines observed the International Animal Rights Day 2020 on December 10 by trooping to the Philcoa pedestrian overpass along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City and unfurling a banner honoring the lives of billions of animals lost due to violence inflicted by humans.
Alex V. Orlino, animal rights activist, stressed: “It is not just human rights that should be recognized, but animal rights, particularly (those of) defenseless living beings.”
His fellow animal rights activists also voiced out their sentiments.
Edison Yu said: “We are also doing this to bring the message to humanity that humans and animals are no different from one another.”
Jofer Santos: “Animals have a right to live and live free from pain brought about by humans. We should make a stand for the animals, for ourselves, for the environment and for the planet.”
Cacai Buenviaje: “We would like to send a message to everyone the importance of animal rights.”
Orlino added: “I hope that Filipinos will go beyond the value of giving importance only to human beings but to all living beings that feel, most especially defenseless living beings. These are the animals.”
“Animals and humans suffer and die alike. Violence causes the same pain, the same spilling of blood, the same stench of death, the same arrogant, cruel, and brutal taking of life. We don’t have to be a part of it.” — Dick Gregory, civil rights and vegan activist, American comedian
“Kindness and compassion toward all living things is a mark of a civilized society. Conversely, cruelty, whether it is directed against human beings or against animals, is not the exclusive province of any one culture or community of people. Racism, economic deprival, dog fighting and cock fighting, bull fighting and rodeos are cut from the same fabric: violence. Only when we have become nonviolent toward all life will we have learned to live well ourselves.” — César Chávez, who is recognized on his birthday, March 31, for his life’s work and struggles for both people and animals
“During our short time on Earth, humans have had radical ecological effects on the planet—mostly filled by our desire to eat other animals. This desire has caused us to clear the land, destroying wild animals’ homes, and trap, poison, and shoot them when they cross invisible boundaries, all to make room for more cows, sheep and pigs (to name a few). We have an urgent need to change because our collective choices and behaviors are causing a decline in biodiversity and irreversible ecological damage. You can help us create a better world for all, by leaving animals off of your plate and out of your wardrobe.” — Animal Liberation’s Facebook post on December 10.