HORSE SLAUGHTER IN ILLINOIS
| Contact: Carol Chapman, Lastrefuge.geo@yahoo.com
STOP THE HORSE SLAUGHTER RALLY, INFORMATION FAIR, AND CANDLELIGHT VIGIL Saturday, September 27 Cavel International, subsidiary of a Belgian company called "Velda Group," is attempting to rebuild its horse slaughterhouse in DeKalb, Illinois, despite strong local and national opposition to their activities. Horse lovers and animal welfare associations are conducting a Candlelight Vigil on September 27th, in DeKalb, Illinois, to protest the proposed opening of a third foreign owned horse slaughter plant. This plant will join two current plants (foreign owned and operated in Texas) in slaughtering American horses and shipping the meat overseas to be served as "designer food" in upscale European restaurants. Because of a loophole in the tariff laws, no charge is assessed on this transport of horsemeat for human consumption overseas. This bears a marked contrast to the current tariff assessed on beef, chicken, and other meats that provides trade revenue for the United States. As export of American beef drops, the demand overseas for the higher profit margin horsemeat has grown. Utilizing young horses bought cheaply here in the States, these plants operate with minimal wage labor entrusted to process the horses. The horsemeat is shipped overseas to be sold at high prices and eaten in upscale restaurants in places like Paris. The Vigil will take place on Saturday, September 27, from 3 to 9 pm at Hopkins Park (1403 Sycamore Road), DeKalb, Illinois. Activities will include: education, handouts, music, slide presentations, and will culminate in a Credo and a candlelight ceremony in peaceful memory of the horses that have been lost to slaughter. For more information visit the mailing list archive at Humanity Against Horse Slaughter. Groups endorsing the vigil (as of 9/22) include: American Horse Defense Fund |