We’re thrilled to announce a recent victory involving In Defense of Animals, Plant Based Treaty, Solutionary Species, and community residents. We are celebrating a win after joining forces to oppose the building of a new slaughterhouse in Jacksonville, Florida. 

Dozens of activists and citizens showed up to speak at the Jacksonville Planning Commission public hearing on April 18, 2024, which led to a surprise announcement by Mohammad Faisal, owner of Apna Bazar (also trading as Apna Bazaar and Apna Jax). After hearing from activists and community members, Faisal withdrew the application for electric, sewer, and water service and a zoning exception for the property and publicly apologized to the community.

Faisal said, “We are not here to hurt them [local citizens] or make them complain for anything they think we should not be doing. So that’s why we’re withdrawing our application and I’m sorry, again I want to apologize for that.”

Activists initially found out about the proposal because of one single news article appeared documenting plans to build "a 25,000-square-foot processing facility at 7709 Woodley Road, west of New Kings Road on the western edge of a light industrial area that includes a vehicle salvaging and parts operation, a manufacturing facility and a trucking company." 

Apna Bazar’s new halal slaughterhouse would have greatly impacted the people who work in the area’s quality of life and added substantial infrastructure destined to traumatize and brutally kill farmed animals. 

Local resident and property owner Stacie Murray Colbert reached out to In Defense of Animals for help when she first learned of plans to build the slaughterhouse right next door to her family home where her 84-year-old mother currently resides. 

Upon hearing the victory, Colbert said, “Victory is ours! When they say there is power in numbers, it is so true. The problem started when we found out who the new prospective buyer was and what they wanted to do with the property. I knew we could not fight this alone, so I reached out for help because we were running out of time! The support was so plentiful that the owner withdrew his request and apologized for any inconvenience to our families and neighbors.”

The slaughterhouse was still in the permitting process, so we had a unique opportunity to speak out against it. When Stacie Colbert contacted our Animal Activist Support Line for help, we knew we had to act quickly. We reached out to our allies to support her efforts to stop the slaughterhouse from being built and we are so delighted to have helped prevent the screams of suffering animals, environmental pollution, hazardous traffic, and from destroying this peaceful residential neighborhood.

Building a slaughterhouse in this neighborhood is a classic example of environmental racism, which is a set of policies and practices that discriminate against communities of color by making them live near landfills, sewage plants, and slaughterhouses. People who live near slaughterhouses suffer from higher rates of infections, kidney disease, cancers, anemia, asthma, anxiety, and depression. Traffic increases and their property values decline. They struggle with the pollution and noise, including putrid smells and haunting animal cries.

The true cost of slaughterhouses include environmental degradation, soil acidification, water contamination, and air pollution which lead to forest fires, floods, and extreme weather. They also contribute to zoonotic disease outbreaks, human health problems, and immense animal suffering as documented in the recent film, The Smell of Money. 

The owner of Apna Bazar acted with great integrity to withdraw the application in the middle of the meeting and then apologize for causing so much distress. His example shines a light for us all to align our actions with our morals and values, such as kindness and compassion.

Malaina Watts, U.S. Liaison and Campaigner for Plant Based Treaty says, “This victory goes to show that people have the power to make a difference by showing up and speaking out against these unnecessary facilities. We are living in a time when we should be phasing out animal agriculture and switching to plant based food systems, to make crucial changes necessary for our health and the future of our planet and all those that we share it with.” 

After attending the hearing, Shannon Blair, President of Solutionary Species, also had something to say with, “We are overjoyed that our voices, united in purpose and number, have successfully protected the animals and this community from a horrific new murdering facility being erected. This victory reminds us all of the powerful impact we can have when we stand together. Let it be a resounding message that active participation and collective action are not only vital but truly effective. Together, we can shape the future we desire!"

Learn more about how we help farmed animals and please consider donating to support our work on this issue.

Contact us for help at: www.idausa.org/ActivistSupport.