Activists Disrupt Verona Food Fair To Defend All Mothers In Bold Protest

Verona, Italy – On May 11, 2025, the groups Burn It All and Animal Rebellion carried out a nonviolent civil resistance action at the “Farmer’s Village” event in Piazza dei Signori.

At 11:35 a.m., four activists entered the event and approached the cheese stall. Three began shouting to draw attention, and one made a statement. They all then sat in front of the stall, trying to block sales and handed out flyers. The action remained entirely nonviolent.

At 12:39 p.m., police arrived. Three activists were carried away using passive resistance. One walked to the police vehicle voluntarily.

During the action, Giulia said, “We are Animal Rebellion and Burn It All and we are here for a nonviolent direct action. We want to say enough to the exploitation of both human and non-human mothers by our speciesist and patriarchal culture. The female body is not a reproduction machine!”

The protest took place on Mother’s Day to draw attention to the overlooked suffering tied to motherhood. Human and non-human mothers are often treated as tools for reproduction or production, not as living beings with dignity.

The action aimed to highlight postpartum depression, which affects 20–40% of birthing individuals. Only about half of cases are diagnosed. External pressures, isolation, and unrealistic expectations play a major role in the condition.

A study after COVID showed the risk of postpartum depression in mothers rose from 11.6% in 2019 to 25.5% in 2022. Lack of support during this period can be dangerous. Most mothers are left without medical care until their first checkup, 40 days after birth.

The protest also condemned artificial insemination in factory farms. A 1999 global survey reported over 264 million sperm doses collected from more than 40,000 bulls, with 75% used in the dairy industry. These figures have grown since.

Cows are forcibly impregnated to produce up to 30 liters of milk a day. Their calves are separated and often slaughtered as “white meat.” Pigs, rabbits, and birds are also subject to repeated forced breeding under intense conditions.

Burn It All is a transfeminist movement fighting patriarchal violence and pushing for structural change, including an improved support income for women escaping abuse.

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