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Freeda the Freedom Cow, a stunning life-size fiberglass cow, certainly turned heads when she made her debut appearance to protest the Dairy Industry’s Grand Dairy Awards at Federation Square, Melbourne.
ALV activists Jamie Yew, Erik Gorton and Dave Bell took turns lying beneath Freeda and pretended to suckle her milk to illustrate just how unnatural it is for humans to drink cow milk and consume dairy products.
Crowds were simultaneously entertained, horrified and curious about the spectacle, many eager to understand the serious issues raised by the protest. ALV volunteers in t-shirts emblazoned with the signature “Milk Sucks” logo distributed hundreds of leaflets to stunned passers by, informing them of the cruelty dealt to cows by the dairy industry, it’s devastating effect upon the environment, and health concerns for humans.
The activists began their demonstration outside Melbourne’s bustling Flinders Street Station then moved to Zinc Reception Centre at Federation Square where awards were being presented to the “best of the best” dairy recipes. Dairy industry patrons filed to Zinc’s broad glass windows in amusement and horror to watch Freeda being suckled, while protest organizer ALV president Patty Mark and fellow activists, Noah Hannibal and Dan Archer used megaphones to send a clear message of protest to the party-goers. When Award organizers’ closed the blinds to shield the party, blocking out their prime view on the Yarra River, ALV volunteers rang ear pierceing cow bells for two hours, ensuring they were heard if not seen.
Public reaction was overwhelmingly positive, with environmental issues raising the most concern, especially considering the dairy industry’s bloated water usage.
Environmental Destruction
In Australia, the dairy industry tops the list of water use in irrigation – a massive 39.5% of total water use (source: National Land and Water Resources Audit). To put this into perspective, cotton rates at 15.5% total usage, and fruit is just 4.4%. The most alarming figure is that it takes 4000 glasses of water to produce just one glass of milk! (source: Fred Pearce, science advisor to New Scientist Magazine). This figure includes the water used to irrigate the crops grown to feed the cows, the water consumed by each dairy cow, and cleaning of the machinery and milking facilities.
Animal Suffering
On a more personal level, the cows themselves suffer terrible hardships. Dairy cows have their horns and tails cut off without anesthetic, causing immense pain. The bleeding can continue for up to twelve hours.
There is an increased incidence of painful mastitis of the cows udders due to cross infection from the milking machines and the frequency with which they are milked. Dairy cows are forced to produce ten times the amount of milk they would naturally, due to genetic selection and high protein feed.
Saddest of all is the separation of the calves from their mothers. Mother cows are forced to give birth to keep producing milk. Their calves are taken from them only days later to be raised and slaughtered for veal, or to be raised as future “milk slaves”. Cows have powerful family bonds and it’s common for the mothers and calves to bellow and cry for days. This trauma is repeated again and again, as the cows are kept in a continual cycle of pregnancy.
Milk is bad for your health
Milk and dairy products are bad for humans too. They are linked to obesity, pimples, wind, diabetes and cancers including prostate, breast and ovarian cancers.
Numerous studies have also dispelled the myth that milk is a good source of calcium. In fact, Harvard University’s landmark Nurses Health study, which followed 78,000 women for twelve years found that the women who consumed the most calcium from dairy broke more bones than those who rarely drank milk.
Furthermore, looking at 34 published studies in 16 countries, researchers at Yale University found that countries with the highest rates of osteoporosis were those in which people ate the most meat, milk and other animal foods.
Animal protein, such as that found in meat, eggs and dairy products, tends to leech calcium from the bones, while plant proteins don’t appear to have this effect (source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition) The best sources of calcium are actually from vegetable sources, including green leafy vegetables, nuts, and seeds (especially sesame).
Your choice matters
Milk Sucks campaign organizer Patty Mark states “Humans have an incredible amount of power and might over animals. How are you going to use yours? Can you make strong choices that may be culturally different to all that you know and have been familiar with all your life? What's easy and familiar to you may mean untold suffering and pain for animals that you've never considered or even realised.
Freeda was a star attraction at the Midsumma Festival and the three day Sustainable Living Festival, and will make appearances throughout the year at Dairy Industry and other events.
Learn More
Read more about dairy cruelty at ALV's cow cruelty information page.
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Update: Philip Wollen (OAM), Australian of the Year (Victoria) 2007 has come out in support of ALV's Milk Sucks campaign with this statement: "Beneath the beguiling surface of the dairy industry lies a sinister truth. This is an industry that would not exist if people knew the facts and looked behind the factory gate. Nobody wants to hear about the cruelty inflicted on innocent animals, particularly when they have been brought up to believe that cows are benign pictures on a pleasant landscape. Apart from the cruelty inflicted on the cows and their calves, dairy products are bad for human health, the atmosphere, and our dwindling water resources. It takes as much water to grow one cow as it does to float a battleship. These environmental and health costs are never factored into the costs of milk. Every unsuspecting consumer is subsidising the massive costs of a cruel, unnecessary and unsustainable industry.
I stopped consuming dairy products for ethical reasons. Little did I know that my health would improve so dramatically. Australians are blessed with so many non dairy alternatives. I urge every family to stop, or at least reduce substantially, their consumption of dairy products. At the same time I want Australian farmers to prosper. This can be done without torturing animals and making our fellow Australians sick. Farmers that switch to sustainable alternatives will be the first to reap the rewards they so richly deserve."
Activist Jamie Yew pretends to suck milk from “Freeda”
Freeda waits for a tram near Federation Square
Activist Erik Gorton pretends to suck milk from “Freeda”
Activist Jamie Yew pretends to suck milk from “Freeda” while media representatives and onlookers take photos
Milk Sucks volunteers with Freeda
Stunned onlookers watch on as Jamie takes Freeda for a “walk” through the streets of melbourne
ALV’s new Milk Sucks leaflet. Thanks to Viva! for use of cow photo. Additional design: ALV
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