Toronto Cow Save Vigil Safety & Conduct Guidelines

PARKING

Please park in the parking lot of the Stock Yards Village shopping complex, a 1 minute walk from the vigil site. There is no parking at the vigil and tickets are being issued.

Bill 156
A section of Bill 156 has taken effect prohibiting us to interfere or stop trucks. We do not forcefully stop trucks at these vigils and don't normally "interfere" but we do ask drivers to give us a few minutes with the cows prior to backing in. Some do, some don't. With a peaceful presence, we hope they will continue to do so. Please come with peace to change the violent, dark energy of this area of Toronto.

CONDUCT

• Peace
  The purpose of Toronto Cow Save vigils is to bear witness, to see the reality, to connect, to document, then to share with others. To bring peace to a violent space.

  • Disruptions should take place at a different time.

  • Please leave personal differences with other participants at home.

• Use of Time
  With only a short period of time that we are there, we ask that you use this time productively to help animals. Between arrival of trucks to the slaughterhouse, please move back to the corner of Glen Scarlett and Gunns Roads for public outreach.

• Truck Drivers
  Some drivers are voluntarily giving us time to bear witness. This is due to building a place of understanding over a long period of time. Though we don’t like what they are doing, we remain respectful to the drivers for giving us this time to show to the world the reality for farmed animals. We are not there to attack individuals, but a whole system.

• Slaughterhouse Workers
  Some workers may try to taunt (though rarely anymore). Offer a wave or peace sign instead of engaging in or escalating negativity. Engaging in positive conversation will help break the cycle of violence.

• Filming
  Please do not put cameras in the faces of workers or drivers without their permission. Doing so creates resentment and a negative impact on our ability to bear witness. We are not there to attack individuals, but a whole system.

• Substance use
  Do not arrive impaired or consume drugs or alcohol during vigils. For safety reasons as well as respect for the animals we must be fully aware, sober, and conscious to speak for them.
  
  
  

SAFETY

IMPORTANT: Glen Scarlett Road is a busy traffic road. We must be aware of our surroundings at all times. Though we have volunteer Safety Marshals and do everything within our power to keep you safe, we are all ultimately responsible for our own safety during vigils. Please listen to the Safety Marshal’s requests and abide by them.

• Safety Vests (new)
  We encourage each participant to wear a provided safety vest.

  • The reflective vests make us more visible to the transport drivers and

  • shows the public that we are there for the animals, not slaughterhouse employees.

• Bearing witness on the sidewalk side of the truck

  • Stress for animals:
    When the cows are surrounded, they may panic. Most have not had positive human interactions in their short lives and may see us as danger. Let's not cause any added stress to these beings than they already have.

  • Your safety:
    Glen Scarlett Road is extremely busy with transport trucks and other large vehicles. When bearing witness, we are often not actively paying attention to our surroundings and injuries can happen.

• Keeping arms out of the truck
  Avoid temptation to reach inside for the following reasons:

  • The truck may suddenly move, trapping/taking you with it.

  • Cows are extremely large and heavy beings. Though they may not intend to hurt, a simple movement can crush or break bones. Instead, offer your hand just at the opening of the truck. Some cows will choose to come to you and sniff/lick your hand.

  • Fear. Many of these beings have not known kind human hands in the past so human hand/arm may cause them stress.

• Moving away from the truck
  The driver will often beep his horn when it's time to back away or we will let you know. At that time we must (very, very sadly) move away from the truck for your safety and allow the driver space to back up. Not giving them the safe space may end in injury. Until we create a mass movement to free our friends, this is what we must do to help them.

Thank you for your understanding and for coming to bear witness and to be their voice. Please bring a friend. They desperately need you there.