Amy Soranno Explained

Amy Soranno
Nationality:Canadian
Known For:Animal rights activism

Amy Soranno (born) is a Canadian animal rights activist in British Columbia.

Activism

Soranno has been part of an animal rights movement called "Meat The Victims", which originated in Australia.She engaged in the first "Meat the Victims" action in Canada on April 28, 2019. During that action, approximately 65 activists entered, without authorization, Excelsior Hog Farm in Abbotsford, British Columbia.[1] The group obtained video of the animals and refused to leave until members of the media were allowed inside the facility.[2] Outside the farm more than 100 additional activists lined the street. The protest was sparked by a video released by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Negotiations with the police lasted for seven hours and then, after all demands were met, Soranno was the only one arrested and taken to the police station.

On September 22, 2020, Amy Soranno was discussed on The Howard Stern Show in which Howard Stein showed support for her activism.[3]

Soranno is co-founder of an organization called "Ban Fur Farms British Columbia" and a turkey farm campaign called "Shutdown Patton".[4] [5] [6] [7]

Soranno has also been an organizer for "Okanagan Animal Save", part of the global Animal Save Movement, in which she coordinated protests and vigils for animals at various farms, abattoirs and events.[8] [9] [10] [11] [12]

Soranno is affiliated with the animal rights group Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) as she claims to have participated in at least two DxE protests. During the summer of 2019, she, along with other DxE protesters, entered a Maple Leaf Foods Slaughterhouse in Toronto, Canada.[13] [14] Once inside, they had their arms affixed to a bin filled with cement. On June 3, 2019, Soranno "stormed police lines" in Sonoma County, California, to assist leading approximately 600 activists to protest at a lock-down, which was already in effect, outside the Reichardt Duck Farm.[15] [16] [17]

At the Interior Savings Credit Union headquarters in downtown Kelowna, BC, on November 18, 2019, Soranno, along with others, chained herself to the doors.[18] Her group was protesting the ISC's sponsorship of Ribfest, which they claimed promoted cruelty to animals. They were arrested for mischief as a result.

Soranno is often giving "talks or workshops on veganism & activism". During the summer of 2019 she gave a speech on 'civil disobedience' at the Toronto Liberation Conference.[19] [20] On February 27, 2020, she gave a presentation to a Critical Animal Studies class at the University of British Columbia.[21] She spoke at the Animal Liberation Conference in San Francisco in 2019 and 2021.[22]

On October 2, 2021, Soranno spoke at the Canadian Animal Law Conference in Ontario.[23] Very early the next day Soranno was apprehended by the Waterloo Regional police.[24] [25] [26] [27] During the time she was held in jail a large “Meat the Victims” demonstration took place at the “Hybrid Turkey/Hendrix Genetics” farm nearby. After 6 hours the protest moved to the Waterloo, Ontario police station until Soranno was released that evening.

Legal proceedings

In August 2020, it was revealed that Soranno had been charged with seven criminal offences.[28] [29] [30] [31] Soranno appeared in court, along with three other activists (known collectively as the Excelsior 4), on November 2, 2020, and pled not-guilty.[32] [33] [34] [35] [36] Soranno stated, “We will use our trial as an opportunity to further expose the rampant violence and suffering in animal agriculture, and the complicity of our justice and enforcement systems”.[37] [38] [39] Along with two of the original co-defendants, Roy Sasano and Nick Schafer, a Supreme Court jury trial began on June 27, 2022.[40] [41] [42] [43] [44] [45] On July 9, 2022, a jury found Soranno, and one co-defendant, Nick Schafer, guilty of two indictable offences.[46] [47] [48] [49] Soranno expressed that she and her co-defendants " were not given a fair trial"[50] Soranno's legal counsel, Leo Salloum said “without the ability to enter video evidence of animal abuse, the legs were cut out from under several of the defences we had been planning to raise”.[51] It was also revealed that "key evidence of criminal animal cruelty contained on cards from cameras found on-site allegedly went missing during the investigation."[39] [52] Following the guilty verdict, protests erupted in various countries; including Ireland, Austria, Czech Republic and Uruguay.[53] [54] [55] [56] [57] [58] [59] [60] [61] The trial has garnered international interviews and the support of Canada's Animal Protection Party.[62] [63] [64] During the sentencing hearing the judge prevented Soranno, but not Schafer, from giving her statement.[65] According to Soranno's lawyer, Leo Salloum, the case is potentially precedent setting. Salloum states, "... this is going to be the highest sentencing decision for a sit-in type protest in Canadian history."

Health issues

Around the age of 20, Soranno went from being healthy to becoming chronically ill and was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) at age 20. After seeing 14 different specialists in Canada, she sought help in the US. She was diagnosed in November 2013 with POTS. At one point she was confined to her bed 90% of the time. On July 20, 2019, while giving a headline speech, Soranno suddenly sat down on a chair.[66] [67] Soranno then briefly explained that she was “sick" and suffers from a heart condition, nerve disorder, connective tissue disease, and significant allergy responses. Soranno stated "my suffering is insignificant in comparison" and then focused the remaining 45 minutes of her speech on animal rights activism.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: CTV National News: Protest at B.C. pig farm CTV News. August 30, 2020. www.ctvnews.ca. April 28, 2019. September 6, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200906062408/https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1670545. live.
  2. Web site: KelownaNow. SPCA investigation into alleged inhumane treatment at BC hog farm 'stalled'. August 30, 2020. KelownaNow. September 6, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200906062408/https://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/news/news/Provincial/SPCA_investigation_into_alleged_inhumane_treatment_at_BC_hog_farm_stalled/. live.
  3. Web site: MarksFriggin.com - Stern Show News - Archive. September 26, 2021. www.marksfriggin.com.
  4. Web site: 'Unethical and unnecessary': Union of BC Indian Chiefs calls for moratorium on fur farming. September 26, 2021. Vancouver Is Awesome.
  5. Web site: September 14, 2021. False B.C. fur farm ban announcement a 'rollercoaster of emotions': activist. September 26, 2021. Trail Daily Times.
  6. Web site: December 8, 2020. Fur farms put public at risk: Kelowna animal rights activst on COVID-19 outbreak. September 27, 2021. BC Local News.
  7. Web site: Kelowna animal rights activists and farm owner clash at protest - Okanagan. September 27, 2021. Global News.
  8. Web site: July 25, 2018. Okanagan Animal Save protests at D Dutchmen Dairy in Sicamous. August 30, 2020. Salmon Arm Observer. July 25, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180725201625/https://www.saobserver.net/news/okanagan-animal-save-protests-at-d-dutchmen-dairy-in-sicamous/. live.
  9. Web site: KelownaNow. Silent protesters outside PBR event are hoping to offer an alternative perspective. August 30, 2020. KelownaNow. September 6, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200906062408/https://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/news/news/Kelowna/Silent_protesters_outside_PBR_event_hoping_to_offer_alternative_perspective/. live.
  10. Web site: Okanagan Animal Save raising concerns about hen cull at Shuswap egg farm. August 30, 2020. Global News. April 19, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190419122746/https://globalnews.ca/news/5183637/okanagan-animal-save-raising-concerns-about-hen-cull-at-shuswap-egg-farm/. live.
  11. Web site: December 13, 2018. Activists protest at Shuswap pig abattoir. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20181214183105/https://www.kelownacapnews.com/news/activists-protest-at-shuswap-pig-abattoir/. December 14, 2018. August 30, 2020. Kelowna Capital News.
  12. Web site: October 5, 2018. Activists mount protest outside B.C. pig slaughterhouse. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190317185444/https://www.columbiavalleypioneer.com/news/activists-mount-protest-outside-b-c-pig-slaughterhouse/. March 17, 2019. August 30, 2020. The Columbia Valley Pioneer.
  13. Web site: Activists rescue chickens from Maple Leaf Foods slaughterhouse in Toronto. August 30, 2020. www.blogto.com. September 6, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200906062450/https://www.blogto.com/city/2019/08/chickens-maple-leaf-foods-slaughterhouse-toronto/. live.
  14. Web site: Maple Leaf Slaughterhouse Lockdown - YouTube. August 30, 2020. www.youtube.com. September 6, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200906062423/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ww24X9Xfw1U. live.
  15. Web site: The Vegan Lives: Amy Soranno Pt. II - YouTube. August 29, 2020. www.youtube.com. September 6, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200906062424/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90ua1EuK200&feature=youtu.be. live.
  16. Web site: Changing The World For Animals: Animal Liberation Activist Amy Soranno. August 29, 2020. PhotoBook Magazine. September 6, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200906062410/https://www.photobookmagazine.com/features/2019/11/5/changing-the-world-for-animals-animal-liberation-activist-amy-soranno. live.
  17. Web site: Getting Arrested For Animal Rights Amy Soranno - Liberation Hour Radio (2020) - YouTube. August 29, 2020. www.youtube.com. September 6, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200906062449/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47EQPk51e4w. live.
  18. News: Strachan. Brady. November 18, 2019. Animal rights activists arrested after chaining themselves to Kelowna credit union doors. CBC News. November 18, 2019.
  19. Web site: Civil Disobedience: Don't Obey Laws That Allow Mass Murder Animal Liberation Conference (Speech) - YouTube. August 30, 2020. www.youtube.com. September 6, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200906062449/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caZsoJWoXbo. live.
  20. Web site: August 28, 2019. Animal Liberation Toronto Conference 2019. August 30, 2020. vegan maghā. September 6, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200906062437/https://veganmagha.com/2019/08/28/animal-liberation-toronto-conference-2019/. live.
  21. Web site: University Lecture: Critical Animal Studies Undercover Investigator Amy Soranno (2020) - YouTube. August 29, 2020. www.youtube.com. September 6, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200906062450/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhQBQoizBXY. live.
  22. Web site: Animal Liberation Conference. September 26, 2021. Animal Liberation Conference.
  23. Web site: Canadian Animal Law Conference 2021. September 26, 2021. CALC 2021.
  24. News: Duncan. Jonathan. October 5, 2021. 'We think they've been arrested': Inside a Meat the Victims farm raid foiled before it could begin. The Toronto Star. October 7, 2021. 0319-0781.
  25. Web site: October 4, 2021. Waterloo Regional Police Respond to Planned Demonstration at Farm in North Dumfries. October 7, 2021. www.wrps.on.ca.
  26. Web site: October 3, 2021. Several arrests made at commercial meat farming protest in Bright, Ont.. October 7, 2021. Kitchener.
  27. Web site: October 8, 2021 . Okanagan animal rights activists arrested before protest could begin . September 4, 2022 . Summerland Review.
  28. Web site: August 6, 2020. Four activists face charges linked to 2019 Abbotsford hog-farm protest. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200906062435/https://www.abbynews.com/news/four-activists-face-charges-linked-to-2019-abbotsford-hog-farm-protest/. September 6, 2020. August 28, 2020. Abbotsford News.
  29. Web site: Mangione. Kendra. August 7, 2020. Pig farm protest: B.C. activists charged after hidden camera-prompted demonstration. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200810151237/https://bc.ctvnews.ca/pig-farm-protest-b-c-activists-charged-after-hidden-camera-prompted-demonstration-1.5055416. August 10, 2020. August 28, 2020. British Columbia.
  30. Web site: Ministry of Attorney General for British Columbia. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200906062437/https://justice.gov.bc.ca/cso/criminal/file/charges.do?fileID=6154999.0009. September 6, 2020. August 28, 2020. justice.gov.bc.ca.
  31. Web site: August 14, 2020. Kelowna animal rights activist speaks out amid charges in 2019 Abbotsford hog-farm protest. September 26, 2021. Kelowna Capital News.
  32. Web site: November 2, 2020. 4 activists plead not guilty in charges connected to hidden camera pig farm video. September 26, 2021. British Columbia.
  33. Web site: November 2, 2020. Abbotsford hog-farm protestors plead not guilty to 21 charges. September 26, 2021. Abbotsford News.
  34. Web site: Nov 2. Colin Dacre-. Story: 315247. 2020 / 3:57 pm . Okanagan activist says she will fight charges related to occupation of Fraser Valley pig farm - Kelowna News. September 26, 2021. www.castanet.net.
  35. Web site: The Excelsior 4. September 26, 2021. The Excelsior 4.
  36. Web site: Skinner . Lynne . November 15, 2021 . Doomed to Fail: Ag-gag Laws and the Canadian Charter . Osgoode Hall Law School of York University.
  37. Web site: Miller. Harry. August 9, 2021. Trial Date Set for Activists Who Exposed Animal Cruelty at Excelsior Hog Farm in Abbotsford. September 26, 2021. Canada News Media.
  38. Web site: Episode-57 . September 4, 2022 . A Little More Good Podcast.
  39. Web site: Abbotsford hog-farm activists call criminal charges 'a mockery of justice' . September 4, 2022 . Alaska Highway News.
  40. Web site: August 9, 2021. Trial date set for activists linked to Abbotsford hog farm protest. September 26, 2021. BC Local News.
  41. Web site: Abbotsford hog-farm activists call criminal charges 'a mockery of justice' . September 4, 2022 . Vancouver Is Awesome.
  42. Web site: July 8, 2022 . Jury deciding fate of B.C. animal rights activists after hog farm protest . September 4, 2022 . British Columbia.
  43. Web site: September 6, 2021 . The history behind the National Farm Animal Care Council and how it impacts B.C. . September 4, 2022 . Vernon Morning Star.
  44. Web site: Abbotsford trial pits activists against hog farm, the police, and the BCSPCA Watch News Videos Online . September 4, 2022 . Global News.
  45. Web site: July 7, 2022 . Jury Begins Deliberating Tomorrow In Abbotsford Protesters Hog Farm Case Abbotsford News . September 4, 2022 . www.abbynews.com.
  46. Web site: July 9, 2022 . Two B.C. animal rights activists convicted for roles in hog farm protest . September 4, 2022 . British Columbia.
  47. Web site: August 26, 2022 . VIDEO: Excelsior 4 speak to media prior to sentencing hearing in Abbotsford . September 4, 2022 . Langley Advance Times.
  48. Web site: Fur . Lucy . July 9, 2022 . Jury Deliberations Began Friday in the Excelsior Hog Farm Animal Rights Trial . September 4, 2022 . UNICORN RIOT.
  49. Web site: Brooks Animal Law Digest: Canada Edition: Issue 20 the Brooks Institute . September 4, 2022 . thebrooksinstitute.org.
  50. Web site: Room . Press . August 26, 2022 . 'Denied us a right to a fair trial'; hog farm protesters' sentencing trial begins . September 4, 2022 . The Canadian Daily News.
  51. Web site: Miller . Harry . September 4, 2022 . Sentencing Hearing and Press Conference on August 26 for Activists Convicted of Break-and-Enter, Mischief for Exposing Animal Cruelty at Excelsior Hog Farm in 2019 . September 4, 2022 . Canada News Media.
  52. Web site: Abbotsford hog-farm activists call criminal charges 'a mockery of justice' . September 4, 2022 . New West Record.
  53. Web site: Ruiz . Laura L. . August 10, 2022 . Aumenta la represión contra el movimiento animalista . September 4, 2022 . ElDiario.es . es.
  54. Web site: The Excelsior 4: Solidarity Event - Dublin, Ireland Canadian Embassy Dublin August 23, 2022 . September 4, 2022 . happeningnext.com.
  55. Web site: August 17, 2022 . Benefice za svobodu Amy a Nicka (Praha) . Soucitne.
  56. Web site: The Excelsior 4 - Sentencing Solidarity Event . September 4, 2022 . Animal Rights Toronto.
  57. Web site: Solidární akce na podporu Amy Soranno & Nick Schafer před kanadským velvyslanectvím v Praze . September 4, 2022 . www.facebook.com.
  58. Web site: April 1, 2022 . Activists protest inside B.C. SPCA office, demand changes to animal cruelty investigations . September 4, 2022 . British Columbia.
  59. Web site: The Excelsior 4: Solidarity Event - Dublin, Ireland, Canadian Embassy Dublin, 23 August 2022 . September 4, 2022 . stayhappening.com.
  60. Web site: Animal rights activists stage protests outside Abbotsford courthouse and SPCA . CBC.
  61. Web site: National Animal Rights Association . September 4, 2022 . www.facebook.com.
  62. Web site: Reichert . Jordan . August 9, 2020 . Four Activists Charged After Exposing Criminal Animal Cruelty at Abbotsford Hog Farm. . September 4, 2022 . Animal Protection Party Of Canada.
  63. Web site: June 19, 2022 . The Excelsior 4 - Activist Suppression in Canada . September 4, 2022 . 3CR Community Radio.
  64. Web site: Gesetze – Martin Balluchs Blog . September 4, 2022 . martinballuch.com.
  65. Web site: August 26, 2022 . Sentencing hearing begins for activists . September 4, 2022 . CTV News.
  66. Web site: Soranno . Amy . August 7, 2019 . Veganism & Animal Rights: Are We Doing Enough? (Speech) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200906062422/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4_hqHayb6I&t=2m . September 6, 2020 . August 28, 2020 . www.youtube.com.
  67. Web site: Arrais . Pedro . Explore: Vegan festival in Centennial Square; music and food in Colwood . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190916160352/https://www.timescolonist.com/entertainment/explore-vegan-festival-in-centennial-square-music-and-food-in-colwood-1.23890099 . September 16, 2019 . August 28, 2020 . Times Colonist.

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