Thousands Protest Live Exports

ABOVE: activists in Tel-Aviv from Anonymous for Animal Rights bring the reality of live exports to the attention of the people who eventually eat the abused animals, in solidarity with Australia's nation-wide day of action to end live animal export.

On November 10th 2007, one goal united thousands of Australians in a national day of action: an end to live animal export.

Recent Animals Australia investigations in the Middle East have yet again fuelled rising public opposition to the undeniable cruelty of live animal export.

While Australian politicians were attempting to justify animal cruelty in the name of profit, countless terrified Australian animals in the Middle East were being tied up, stuffed into car boots and thrown off trucks before having their throats cut while fully conscious. An Australian National Day of Action was declared.

The success of the day was made possible by the thousands of Australians who joined forces in one united effort to speak out against animal cruelty. Teams of petitioners in bright orange "Live Animal Export: Australia's Shame" T-shirts dotted the streets of all major cities and many local communities across the country. Animals Australia's member societies organised events in every state, while individuals held petition signings in their local towns to help reach the national goal of 200,000 signatures on the petition to end live animal exports—which was already the largest petition tabled in the senate in recent years.

Timmy the sheep campaigns against live exports Melbourne crews were joined by Timmy the sheep of Edgar's Mission, campaigning for his brothers and sisters, while in Townsville, local activists, Greens party members and even meat workers combined efforts in a public march against live exports which travelled between election candidates' offices.

The momentum of the day spread as far as Israel, where local activists travelled through the streets of Tel-Aviv on a small truck—half-naked, crowded, filthy, without water, food or protection from the elements, in a striking public display that illustrated the fate suffered by many animals who are exported to the Middle East from Australia.

With many thousands of petition signatures pouring in to the Animals Australia office shortly after the day of action, the original goal of 200,000 signatures is likely to be well exceeded.

"We are thrilled with the huge united effort given by so many Australians on the national day of action." said Animals Australia Executive Director, Glenys Oogjes. "It is clear from the response we have had that a majority of Australians want live export to end."

Watch the video below to see for yourself what happens to Australian animals who are exported live to the Middle East. Then click here to join thousands of Australians and help end this indefensible cruelty: