Phoenix Legal Solutions

We're proud to be assisting Coalition Against Duck Shooting in this important litigation in Victoria's Civil and Administrative Tribunal. We're fighting for a greater level of transparency and accountability from Victoria's Game Management Authority. Victoria's waterbirds should be protected from recreational cruelty and violence. Please support Coalition Against Duck Shooting's important campaign.

VCAT LEGAL CHALLENGE
WHAT DOES THE GMA HAVE TO HIDE?

The Coalition Against Duck Shooting will challenge Victoria’s Game Management Authority at a preliminary online VCAT hearing on Thursday, 19 January 23 at 2pm.
CADS is fighting for information that relates to a GMA taxpayer funded trip to Denmark to obtain information about lowering duck shooting wounding and cruelty rates (which is in itself a positive move).
However, the GMA being a major player in the brutality and cruelty that duck shooters inflict on Australia’s sentient native waterbirds, is refusing to release certain documents relating to its fact-finding trip. Laurie Levy

(CADS will be represented by Daniel Beecher, Principal Lawyer, Phoenix Legal Solutions).

Every Australian animal protection organisation is opposed to rodeos. It's not entertainment, it's animal abuse. We're proud to have represented these brave women, let their courage guide us toward a kinder future 💚

THANK YOU! ❤

The ten brave women who demanded an end to rodeos by occupying the Bendigo arena have managed to avoid all legal fees due to many generous donors.

Our online fundraising campaign does not accurately reflect the funds raised as several people wanting to remain anonymous donated directly to our bank account.

We will close the fundraiser in 24 hours - leaving it open a little longer in case anyone would like to add a little on top to be directed towards our campaign efforts kicking off next year 👉https://chuffed.org/project/saynotorodeo

A joint statement from the ten Vegan Rising ‘Say No To Rodeo’ activists 👇

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!❤ for reducing our personal burden by donating to our legal fees. This has come as a very welcome relief for many of us.

Whilst we stand by our actions in Bendigo that brought this brutal display of animal abuse to a crashing halt, as activists, we also understand there may be consequences to our actions so long as we live in a world where the blatant abuse of animals for entertainment is not only legal but still supported by some very small sectors of society.

Whilst we have been punished for doing what is right and just, we appreciate the court's seeming understanding that our motivations are altruistic, with the aim of making a better and kinder world for those most vulnerable. We also appreciate the court's acknowledgement that freedom of protest is a democratic right.

The rodeo is one of the most blatant forms of animal abuse that exists in this country today. It has very strong public opposition and we are confident it has the potential to be made illegal in the not-too-distant future, as was done in the ACT in 1992.

Our actions stated loud and clear that people must stop supporting acts of violence against animals and start supporting the limitless cruelty free forms of entertainment that exist. Bendigo is a creative and vibrant regional hub. It can do so much better than this, as can all of our regional towns. Councils need to do their part by promoting kind forms of entertainment and working to find ways to prevent such brutal displays of violence occurring in their towns.

This action was the beginning of the 'Say No To Rodeo' campaign that we do plan to continue, as we work towards legislative change.

Thank you for caring and thank you also to Phoenix Legal Solutions for your representation and commitment to true justice.
Much love and gratitude from the team at Vegan Rising ❤