Vegan activist, Tash Peterson, arrested in Perth WA

If you take a trip around the internet, Tash Peterson will be talked off as a ‘controversial’ vegan activist, known for her ‘stunts’ that challenge the place that animal captivity has in modern society. Her social media slogan reads ‘if you’re not vegan, you’re an animal abuser. End the animal holocaust’.

Tash is not happy waiting in the side lines as the vegan movement gradually appeal to the rest of humanity. Tash has thrown herself into several difficult situations to speak loudly about the normalised abuse of animals. Just 2 days ago, she was arrested for her disruption of the Royal Perth Show in Western Australia, alongside her fellow activist Aly.

The two women handcuffed their arms to a gate in a cattle show with a banner reading ‘Animals aren’t slaves- watch Dominion.com’ as Tash shouted about the glamorisation of animal slaughter. Alongside her, a worker shouted ‘this is false news’, whilst someone ripped away their banner and the audience booed. This didn’t stop them in the slightest, as the people watched and continued to show disdain, the two girls chanted ‘Their bodies- not ours, Their lives-not ours’. The audience was filled with people of all ages, including children, and parents can be seen leading their children away. Eventually, the entire audience scuffled out of their seats in discomfort…. Except for one man, who remained to tell them they are ‘incredibly stupid’ and ‘an embarrassment to themselves, their parents and the country’.

Even when the cops showed up, neither of the women backed down from their chanting and continued to protest. As the police led them out, Tash continues to exclaim of the cruelty suffered by animals, whilst being informed that if she continues to be disorderly, she will be arrested.

Both women have been charged with trespass and disorderly behaviour and are awaiting Magistrates court in October.

Many won’t agree with her methods, such as standing outside zoos and talking of animal mental health through a megaphone, but what she is saying will tug at the heartstrings of any vegan. Science has informed us that veganism is an essential counterpart in creating a sustainable world. Amid a climate crisis, the transition to being plant-based, by those who can, is taking too long. A just food system seems eons away or destined to be forgotten by a dead planet. But Tash speaks out of her compassion for the lives and souls of animals, not simply the pragmatic mindset of sustainable choices.

Click here to see the video on social media.

Article written by Aisling Geraghty- Australia