Activists gathered outside Farmer John’s slaughterhouse in Vernon, California last week for the final vigil before this death factory closed its doors for good. As animals were trucked into the facility on their way to their miserable deaths, activists mourned their passing and yet also were heartened to observe the end of animal suffering at this historic slaughterhouse where activists have protested, marched, and attended vigils for decades.

In Defense of Animals’ President Marilyn Kroplick, M.D., and Campaigns Director Lisa Levinson spoke during the closing event to honor the pigs who died at Farmer John’s and the activists who bore witness over the years.

We stood in solidarity with other animal activists who attended the last vigil at Farmer John’s Slaughterhouse and activists everywhere who advocate to end the suffering behind closed doors in slaughterhouses around the world.

We celebrate along with fellow activists that no pigs will suffer and die at this Farmer John’s facility any longer. This victory of closing down this facility was bittersweet because Farmer John’s parent company Smithfield Foods has moved its operations to new locations out of state where activists can’t bear witness. Decision-makers claim the move is to reduce the high costs of business in California, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.

However, no one can deny that years of activism, including twice-weekly demonstrations put together by Ellen Dent, the executive director of Animal Alliance Network, at Farmer John’s has tarnished the business’ reputation and raised awareness about the plight of farmed animals like pigs who are slaughtered at just six months old for bacon and other processed meats. The business even started what it called the “California Kindness Project” in an ironic attempt to improve its public image. In this public relations showdown, Los Angeles activists effectively ran Farmer John’s out of town.

One day we may see an era of compassion ushered in when the global demand for animal flesh becomes lowered and as a result that slaughterhouses finally begin to kill fewer animals and in turn, they begin to shutter across the country. Let’s hold this vision together as we make way for a vegan world that values true kindness for animals.

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