Academy Award-winning actor Joaquin Phoenix, along with dozens of activists, attended a vigil in memory of slain animal rights activist Regan Russell last Thursday night.
Phoenix joined a crowd of over 100 people gathered outside the Smithfield-owned Farmer John slaughterhouse in Vernon, Calif. to pay their respects to Russell, a devoted 65-year-old activist who dedicated much of her life to fighting for animal rights, racial justice, and gender equality.
“Regan Russell spent the final moments of her life providing comfort to pigs who had never experienced the touch of a kind hand,” Phoenix told the Animal Save Movement. “While her tragic death has brought upon deep sorrow in the Animal Save community, we will honor her memory by vigorously confronting the cruelties she fought so hard to prevent by marching with Black Lives, fighting for LGBTQ equality, and living a compassionate vegan life.”
Russell tragically died last month during a peaceful protest outside a Burlington, Ontario slaughterhouse when a truck transporting pigs to the facility ran her over. She regularly attended these weekly vigils, during which protesters said “goodbye” and gave much-needed water to the suffering pigs en route to their slaughter.
This was Toronto Pig Save’s last scheduled protest, following Ontario’s recently imposed “ag gag bill,” which bans protesters from interacting with farmed animals in an attempt to protect the agricultural industry from activists and whistleblowers. In addition to extending compassion to pigs, Russell was protesting the new law, which the animal rights community hopes to see repealed.
“The Ontario government can attempt to silence us with the passage of its Ag-Gag Bill — Bill 156 — but we will never go away, and we will never back down,” Phoenix said. “My heart goes out to the Toronto Animal Save community and to Regan’s lifelong partner, Mark Powell.”
Police are currently investigating Russell’s death, and hopefully, justice will be served.
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Does anyone know if there is a Go Fund Me set up in Regan’s memory, to benefit the group she belonged to? This would be a fitting way to honor her.
Does anyone know if there is a Go Fund Me set up in Regan’s memory, to benefit the group she belonged to? This would be a fitting way to honor her.
This woman, Regan Russell, gave her life because she couldn’t stand to witness the horrific suffering of these poor animals. The compassion she felt for them overwhelmed her to at least give them some water. So little when she would have rather released them from their tomb of death.
We owe her the justice to see that she has not died in vain and that her life had great meaning, not only to animal groups, but to the animals themselves.
This woman, Regan Russell, gave her life because she couldn’t stand to witness the horrific suffering of these poor animals. The compassion she felt for them overwhelmed her to at least give them some water. So little when she would have rather released them from their tomb of death.
We owe her the justice to see that she has not died in vain and that her life had great meaning, not only to animal groups, but to the animals themselves.
Doing GOOD must NEVER be a crime — GO VEGAN! — GO VEGAN! — GO VEGAN!
Hört endliuch mit dieser Tierquälerei auf.Ihr wollt doch auch nicht gequält werden.
May you rest in Eternal Peace. Animals are God sent Angels, they will guide to Heaven.
Something serious needs to be done about these torturers and murderers i say we pass a law saying they will suffer and die the same fate as their victims doesnt matter if the victim was human or animal a life is a life!
Everything Joaquin does I admire him more. God bless him and the memory of Regan.
This really upsets me to think a Canadian can be so evil. Another true trooper down. Her name must live on
De tout coeur avec vous
God bless you a Reagan Russell. You did what most of us want to do but don’t.
Your compassion will be rewarded.
Oh Regan Russell,how I love you despite never meeting you! You are at peace,soaring through the Heavens with all your beautiful pigs and animals who now know only love
No more suffering at the hands of ugly humans. And those humans will pay dearly when their time comes
R.I.P Reagan Russell.
When those lawmakers protect the slime of humanity and take a cut from the torturers in factory farms, they will die alone with a small crowd at their graves wondering what words to say in their soulless lives. Regan will be remembered as a gentle,
compassionate, humble lady that dedicated her life to protect the voiceless. I can see her now surrounded by thousands of animals in a vast blue heaven, she earned her wings years ago. Bless you my beautiful lady. Thank you Joaquin, you are a kind man, God bless you.
Soulless perpetrator (murderer) thrown in jail for life without bail, bond or parole!
How important it is to elect persons to office who will commit to writing legislation that protects animals from cruel farming practices. In addition to the lives of the animals, HUMAN life can be saved because farmers and their operatives will not have “targets” to run down with their trucks. It is shameful that such farmers cannot stand the light of truth being shined on them. They must not win. This woman’s death must be a force for reform.
Painful story. I hope justice will be made.
I certainly hope that justice will be served!! But, if they’ve passed the ag-gag law then I really doubt anything will happen because all your lawmakers are in bed with these factory farmers and slaughter houses! HOW CAN YOU RUN SOMEONE OVER NO MATTER WHAT THEY ARE DOING! This must have been caught on camera and with 100 witnesses, it would be corrupt for them not to prosecute. BLESS REGAN FOR HELPING THOSE POOR ABUSED ANIMALS ON THE WAY TO THEIR DEATH!
It’s so painful to see the life of such a beautiful, compassionate, courageous human being, as Regan Russell was, to be cut short. Thank you all for honoring her. We must never stop to speak out for suffering animals.
I have so much respect for Joaquin Phoenix, and for dear Regan Russell, both of whom have never wavered in their defense of animals against the terrible cruelty they endure on an ongoing basis. Regan never would have given up the fight, Joaquin never will, and neither will the rest of us who know the truth that others will not admit: that animals are not meant to be our food, our slaves, or our entertainment. RIP, Regan, and thank you, Joaquin.
A beautiful comment. Thank you Catherine
THANK YOU MR PHOENIX AND ALL FOR SUPPORTING AND REMEMEMBERING MS RUSSELL. MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS ALL HUMANS WHO BELIEVE ANIMALS NEED TO BE TREATED WITH COMPASSION AND LOVE, AMEN. MY CONDOLENCES AND PRAYERS FOR ANGEL REGAN RUSSELL’S PARTNER, FAMILY AND FRIENDS.