Environmental and animal welfare groups plan to protest Langley Ribfest each of its three days.
The Rotary Clubs of Langley host the charity fundraiser Friday through Sunday at McLeod Athletic Park. The event includes public tastings and competition between barbecue groups. The 2018 Ribfest raised $60,000 for Rotary causes. Rotary and other service clubs in other communities have also hosted Ribfest fundraisers. A few of those events have attracted protesters.
B次元官网网址淟angley Rotary, along with chapters throughout the province will be going ahead with planned event Ribfest this weekend, despite hearing from concerned citizens that the event celebrates the second-largest contributor to climate emergency, animal agriculture; promotes the consumption of a Group 1 carcinogen; and is being supplied by JohnstonB次元官网网址檚 Meats, who have been linked to Excelsior Hog Farm, currently under investigation by the BCSPCA for animal abuse and mistreatment,B次元官网网址� said Natalia Sotlar, with Earthlings Against Ribfest.
The protesters say the event has several concerning aspects. Langley Township declared a climate change emergency recently yet is one of the sponsors of the local Ribfest.
As well, there are concerns about animal welfare and the impact of animal agriculture on the environment, the protesters said.
B次元官网网址淥n June 20, a group of concerned citizens, along with the group Earthlings Against Ribfest, met with the Langley Rotary chapter to discuss the above concerns,B次元官网网址� Sotlar added. B次元官网网址淪ubsequent to an email sent to Rotary and Ribfest sponsors, the meeting outlined the concerns in this release. Langley Rotary thanked the attendees, and stated they would take the matter under advisement.B次元官网网址�
The event Aug. 16 to 18 flies in the face of RotaryB次元官网网址檚 works on a global and local scale, the protesters claim. Rotary efforts include fighting disease, providing clean water, promoting peace, sanitation and hygiene, and assisting disaster response.
The protesterB次元官网网址檚 statement goes on to say that the World Health Organization has classified red meat as a Group 2A carcinogen and processed meat is classed as a Group 1A carcinogen.
Pauline Buck, president of the Aldergrove Rotary Club, said a small group of people protested at last yearB次元官网网址檚 event for a brief period of time.
B次元官网网址淟ast year the protesters were peaceful and respectful,B次元官网网址� she said.
Organizers are hoping this yearB次元官网网址檚 protesters follow suit. She added that they will have to agree to disagree and doesnB次元官网网址檛 think the protests will keep people from attending.
B次元官网网址淲e understand that not everybody is in favour of everything,B次元官网网址� Buck said. B次元官网网址淏次元官网网址hatB次元官网网址檚 one of the wonders of living in a democracy.B次元官网网址�
Johnston Meats website says it has clear expectations for its suppliers: B次元官网网址淎t JohnstonB次元官网网址檚, we have a clear standard of care for all animals that are raised to be delivered to JohnstonB次元官网网址檚. The B.C. producers are pleased to meet our high standards of animal care and we are happy to work with the producers to assist them in achieving these standards.B次元官网网址�
Protesters with had announced a silent protest Friday, Aug. 16 from 6 to 9 p.m.
The Saturday protest is by and is planned for Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m.
SundayB次元官网网址檚 event is noon to 2 p.m. and hosted by .
