For our action for the abolition of meat, we chose Poitiers because the weather was
not good in Limoges. We held our action in a busy pedestrian street in the town
centre and it only lasted one and a half hours. Although there were just two of us,
we did not go unnoticed, thanks to the placards on display. I had just started to
hold up the placard in 3 parts when I was insulted by a passer-by who felt I was
being aggressive. We had some other insulting reactions like three young women
pretending to cry! But after all we surprised many people; some stopped to read and
some appreciated our courage (that's the word they used) and approved of our action. We met
vegetarians and a vet, who shared with us that he was disturbed by his colleagues
who did not like animals and ill-treat them. The police stopped to ask some
questions about the meat abolition movement. I also discussed the milk issue with them, but I
don't think I convinced them to stop eating meat or drinking milk. Two youths told
me that we were going too far in claiming the abolition of meat. I asked them why
and they talked to me about traditional livestock rearing where the animal is
treated with respect. I replied that on principle all livestock rearing is unethical
since the animals are reduced to slavery; they are not left the choice to live out
their lives and they are killed when they are still young in order to satisfy a taste
preference which is unnecessary and selfish. Nath and Dom for the Poitou-Charentes
Antispeciesist Network "their lives do not belong to us" (Réseau Antispéciste Poitou-Charentes "leur vie ne nous
appartient pas").