Next Vegan Bloc date 17th May
For 17 months we have been representing the animal rights movement at the UK Palestine Solidarity Campaign National March in London.
Under our banner “JUSTICE NOW, VEGANS SUPPORT PALESTINE,” we bring together animal rights activists who want to take action for Palestine.
We always bring food (not bread) for the pigeons we meet while we march.
Here are our reflections and learnings written after one year of marching for Palestinian liberation:
War is an animal rights issue. It devastates the lives of our fellow animals, often exacerbating the violence they already face at the hands of humans.
Find your comrades. Over the past year, we’ve grown our connections. Making new trusted friends means we know that we can rely on each other. This strengthens and widens the scope of our movements.
Solidarity forever. This bloc was inspired by Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners. An unlikely alliance where LGBT+ people showed solidarity by raising money to support the year-long miners’ strike from 1984-1985.
Ignore the bad actors. Let’s avoid those who seek to antagonise us. It’s time to focus on organising around our mission, total liberation for all beings.
Collaborate. By making trusted comrades, we have made links with other individuals and organisations. This has helps us organise and take part in many successful projects; helping humans and other fellow animals.
We can’t unite with fascists. We need to consider the need for safety and dignity for those with a marginalised identity. Asking them to put their basic needs aside “for the animals” puts our comrades in danger.