Activists take to the streets for World Day for Animals in Labs

In April 1979, Art Garfunkel’s ‘Bright Eyes’ was number one in the charts – described as a song about death. Two days later, the first World Day for Animals in Laboratories was marked on 24th April. This anecdote feels poignant, as tens of millions of animals have suffered and died in laboratories both before that date and since. 

Today, World Day for Animals in Labs (WDAIL) takes on an ever more urgent role. Following the timely release of new footage, taken inside UK animal testing facilities, there is a growing sense that change can no longer be delayed. 

This weekend, hundreds of activists travelled from across the UK to march through London and make their voices heard, stopping at key locations like Parliament and the Home Office – the latter of whom issue an unknown number of licenses each year to facilities wanting to conduct toxicity tests on live animals. 

Animal Aid’s Campaign Manager, Alex Harman, was invited to speak before the march kicked off, following the launch of our new campaign Licensed Cruelty. The campaign builds on new footage taken inside such facilities and the fact that this cruelty is licensed and regulated by the Home Office.  

This is the first footage of its kind in over a decade, so to speak about it at WDAIL was a real honour. 

If you weren’t able to attend WDAIL, there’s still lots of way you can help end animal testing. 

1. Write to your MP. We’re calling on the Government to suspend all new tests, conduct a full review of existing licenses, and deliver on their promise to end animal testing. 
2. Share the footage. We firmly believe that nobody who sees this footage could agree that animal testing is acceptable. Help us get the footage out there by sharing on social media. 
3. Order FREE campaign materials. Our range of Animals in Science campaign materials (below) are all completely free and ideal for outreach in your local area or for sharing with friends, family, and neighbours.