Animals First On The Second- 02.04.2018
Today is the second time that I have ever participated in Animals First On The Second! This is a global vegan activist movement, where we fast for the day in order to show solidarity with the millions of animals who starve, experience atrocious conditions, and are slaughtered.
My fasting experience began at midnight, and will continue until that time. I’m hungry. Hungry for peace. Hungry for the ending of the suffering that I know is going on in the world. Hungry for food without guilt. Eating is not an option for me. When I think of the animals being taken into the slaughterhouse, my hunger is numbed by the image that comes to mind. The crying of the animals; they know what is going on.
Today, I have found the fast to be exhausting. It is difficult to be able to socialise as normal- friends of mine go out and are able to eat, and drink, and I know I can break my fast at any time, yet to do so would hurt my conscience more. It can be isolating at times- being vegan- not being able to join in with the ‘mainstream’ or having to witness something you just cannot support. Does anyone else struggle with this?
Whilst the symbol on my hand keeps me strong, what upsets me is knowing that at the end of my fast, I have food to look forward to! I have friends and a loving partner to look forward to! Yet there are so many sentient beings, who at the end of their starvation, will not have this opportunity. This to me does not seem fair.
On a more positive note, we can make a change. We can make a difference. Show solidarity! Spread the word! We may not make the whole world vegan, but every act of compassion can go a long way!