By Alessio Schiazza
With Roberto Manelli, Sara D'Angelo, Giulia Innocenzi
Cuori Liberi. Until the very last breath
Italy. Over 30,000 pigs have been culled due to ASF, African Swine Fever, an epidemic that originated in intensive farming and quickly spread to sanctuaries. Although the disease is not transmissible to humans, European regulations are clear: when ASF appears in a region, the protocol proceeds with the stamping out, which means the preventive culling of all pigs – infected or not – o minimize the risk of ‘economic losses contagion’.
So in Sairano, Pavia, dozens of activists rushed nationwide to answer the call for help from the animal sanctuary Progetto Cuori Liberi (Project Free Hearts); they stood alongside Roberto – sanctuary volunteer – and Sara – spokesperson for Rete dei Santuari (the Network of Liberated Animals in Italy) with their determination they’ve been holding on for days, camping out in front of the sanctuary’s gates while sharing their struggle on social media, even beyond italian borders, defending those who called that place ‘home’.
Is the early morning of 20th September 2023 when, during the final moments of farewell and embraces, the government forces in riot gear brutally stormed the sanctuary. Uprooted fences, gates and pallets destroyed, shoving and beating to the unarmed resistance in defence of the free animals whereby that day it was a day just like any other. Thus the ATS (italians government vets), greeted by wagging tails, proceeded to kill every pig in the sanctuary, one by one; and failing to recognize them as unique individuals, they discarded them as ‘hazardous waste’ laughing in front of their crying family members and all those activists still in disbelief. Usually, there are no words to describe the pain, but sometimes, the human need to impress it in the memory is stronger. Remembering that moment when true humanity was defeated, might make the future less dark, igniting a light that confidently seeks the change.
Crosta, Crusca, Pumba, Dorothy, Mercoledì, Bartolomeo, Ursula, Carolina, and Spino; for them and all the others Cuori Liberi was born.
We Are All Animals with LAV, LNDC Animal Protection, LCA Europe, Essere Animali, Food For Profit, and Rete dei Santuari di Animali Liberi, resist once again, with hope and courage, to defend love beyond any species until the very last breath.
