In the heart of Stuttgart, a dedicated group of animal rights activists has been tirelessly working to bring attention to the plight of animals destined for slaughter. Four years ago, the Animal Save Movement in Stuttgart was revitalized by a committed group of seven individuals, led by Viola Kaiser and Sonja Böhm. These activists organize regular vigils outside the SlaufenFleisch slaughterhouse in Goeppingen, bearing witness to the suffering of animals and documenting their final moments. Their efforts are not just about raising awareness but also about reinforcing their personal commitment to veganism and animal rights activism.
Viola and Sonja, both full-time workers, prioritize their time to hold these vigils, despite the emotional toll it takes on them. They find strength in their small, close-knit group and the transformative experience of bearing witness. Their dedication has led to viral social media content, reaching millions and spreading their message far and wide. One poignant moment that stands out in their journey is the story of Leopold, a pig who momentarily escaped his fate, only to be recaptured. Leopold has since become a symbol for all the victims of the slaughterhouse, representing the thousands of animals that suffer the same fate each month.
Through their unwavering commitment, Viola, Sonja, and their fellow activists continue to stand up for the animals, documenting their stories and advocating for a world where animals are treated with compassion and respect. Their work underscores the importance of bearing witness and the powerful impact it can have on both the activists and the broader community.
August 9, 2024 – Cover photo: Johannes with sign in front of slaughterhouse SlaufenFleisch in Goeppingen
Four years ago, Animal Save in Stuttgart reactivated their chapter and built a committed group of seven people, organizing vigils several days a month whatever the weather. Viola Kaiser and Sonja Böhm are two of the three organizers in Stuttgart.
“For me personally, every time I am at a vigil, it reminds me why I am vegan and why I want to continue being active for the animals,” Viola says. “Sometimes life is stressful, we all have our jobs and commitments, and you might forget about the animals – their suffering everywhere, and all around the world. But then when standing by the slaughterhouse, facing the animals and looking them in the eyes telling them how sorry you are for what’s happening to them; that’s the reason why I am active and why I am vegan.”
Both Sonja and Viola came to a point in life when they felt being vegan wasn’t enough and started to look around for different kinds of animal rights activism online.
Johannes, Sonja, Diana and Jutta.
“There had already been a chapter in Stuttgart, but it wasn’t active at that time. Sonja and I therefore decided to give it a new fresh start, and that’s how we both joined the Save movement. Johannes became an organizer last year but has been an activist from the start.”
“We are a rather small core group that meets often and are very close. All of us know each other very well and feel we can rely on each and everyone in the group, which feels very good,” Sonja says.
They do vigils, every second weekend and the first Friday morning every month. Viola and Sonja are both working full time, but always prioritize time for vigils held in a place called Goppingen, a 40 minutes’ drive from Stuttgart.
Viola documenting in front of slaughterhouse SlaufenFleisch in Goeppingen. – Sonja at Demo against animal testing.
“We in the core group always join. It is very important for all of us. Then we have people that occasionally join, but often people come for a vigil and find it too overwhelming,” Viola says.
As organizers they try to support them. For both of them vigils have an enormous strong impact.
“Bearing witness is just transformative. When people tell us that it is too hard for them, we understand. It is hard. Sonja and I explain that sometimes it is almost too hard for us as well. And other days are not as hard as others, all depending on how we feel, and the overall situation. But it is nothing in comparison to what the animals must go through and endorse. We tell ourselves that we want to and have to be strong. And we want to keep doing it.”
For Sonja and Viola, the important thing is their commitment.
Viola at sanctuary Rinderglueck269.
“We are not giving up, we are going to continue holding our vigils, no matter if we are two people, ten or twenty. It doesn’t matter, as long as we show up for the animals, documenting their faces and their stories. What is most important to us is being with the animals the moment right before slaughter. And to document what’s happening to them and post it on social media.”
Recently one of their videos went viral on Tiktok with over five million clicks: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGeVwGcua/
They have done different outreach activities during the years; Save Squares, offering vegan food samples and organized events in the city.
“But we found that we are more powerful in doing vigils. That’s what we are good at and most experienced in,” Sonja says. “The most important to us is being in front of the slaughterhouse, to continue to be there.”
During the four years they have been holding vigils, they have tried to reach out to the slaughterhouse and to some of the farmers coming with their animals. With some of the farmers they are greeting each other.
“Others have been indifferent to us and even laughed at us. But lately they have been more provoked by us”, Viola says. “We feel they are more threatened by us documenting the animals now, seeing the rising number of people standing up for animals.”
But even if it has become harder, they are not going to stop.
“For us it is heartbreaking to witness how the animals trust the farmers, all the way to the slaughterhouse, follow them right to death. They trust them and are being betrayed,” Viola says.
Viola at sanctuary Rinderglueck269.
In the summer, two years ago a lot of pigs were unloaded from the trucks at the slaughterhouse when they held a vigil. All of a sudden, a little pig was walking around freely on the side, sniffing around.
“Our first thought was that we wanted to rescue him. But everything went so fast. This pig didn’t know us and was a little scared, even if he was curious. To me, the situation was really emotional. I wanted to rescue him but didn’t have a chance at all,” Viola says.
Before they could think straight or act on it, the farmer noticed that he was unattended and forced him back inside.
It was very heartbreaking for all of them, and they decided that they wanted to keep remembering him, representing all the thousands of pigs slaughtered at that slaughterhouse every month. They gave him a name, Leopold, and ever since they always bring a huge sign with his photo, a little text, and a candle, to keep remembering him. He has become their symbol for all the victims.
Viola and Sonja want to reach as many as possible with their work. In a few weeks’ time they will be at a live radio show at a local radio station, talking about vigils, veganism, animals’ rights, and the Animal Save Movement. They are marking their 100-vigil anniversary and want to highlight it broader and talk about what motivates them. Viola and Sonja also make time to go to other places for vigils, both in Germany and in other countries, supporting each other and to grow as a movement.
“What I like about the Save Movement is that we put the animals in the center of everything. It’s all about animals and ethics,” Viola says.
Get Social with Animal Save Movement
We love getting social, which is why you’ll find us on all the major social media platforms. We think it’s a great way to build an online community where we can share news, ideas and actions. We’d love for you to join us. See you there!
Sign up to the Animal Save Movement Newsletter
Join our email list for all latest news, campaign updates and action alerts from across the globe.
You have Successfully Subscribed!
Notice: This content was initially published on Animal Save Movement and may not necessarily reflect the views of the Humane Foundation.
