Latest / UNCHAINEDTV'S Truth Files with Jane Velez-Mitchell / How You Can Help Stop Turkey's Dog Massacre

Transcript

How You Can Help Stop Turkey's Dog Massacre · UNCHAINEDTV'S Truth Files with Jane Velez-Mitchell

0:17
Save, save the Turkish strays!
0:27
We're very upset. We've seen videos of these animals in mass graves, where they've been bludgeoned to death.
0:35
And we are very deeply disturbed.
0:38
Do not remain silent in the face of injustice, of an intended genocide.
0:44
The silence means death for millions of animals.
0:48
This is about a president who is tired and old, trying to hold on to power.
0:53
Who is demonizing dogs for political purposes.
0:57
The biggest mass slaughter of dogs and cats seen anywhere in modern recorded history.
1:07
But how do we stop it?
1:09
I'm Jane Velez Mitchell with Unchained TV.
1:12
Welcome to this global emergency town hall to save Turkey's dogs from an ongoing massacre.
1:19
Millions of dogs and cats dead and or threatened as we speak.
1:25
We have a huge group of animal organizations and their representatives here.
1:30
We have someone live in Turkey, several in fact, as well as live in London.
1:36
We are in Los Angeles.
1:37
Let's go straight out to Turkey on the ground.
1:41
Siyami Tekin and his wife Emil, animal rescuers who are taking risks to save animals.
1:48
Please tell us, sir, what is the situation on the ground in Turkey right now?
1:54
It's just horrible, my friend.
1:56
Thank you for being here with us.
2:00
Day by day, it's getting worse.
2:02
These people are obsessed with killing every living being.
2:06
If you're an opponent, if you're thinking the vice versa, they also want to erase you from the earth too.
2:13
They don't even want you to breathe.
2:15
Not only dogs or cats, any living being, you know.
2:19
I don't know who they want to please.
2:21
I don't know what their aim is.
2:24
For example, I have 267 dogs and cats in my home.
2:28
I have a large property for them.
2:30
They're messing with us all the time.
2:32
They can't do anything because I have people, friends, in this so-called government.
2:39
It's not a government.
2:40
It's like a cult.
2:42
So whenever they mess with me, somehow I'm able to stop them.
2:46
But until what point, I don't really know.
2:50
I'm just 60 years old.
2:52
How much will I be able to defend?
2:55
I don't really know.
2:56
But the things are getting worse.
2:58
Every goddamn day, they are getting worse, my friend.
3:02
Unbelievable.
3:03
So now we have the problem.
3:06
What is the solution?
3:07
I want to go to Fleur Dawes with InDefensive Animals.
3:10
You've done so much to help us organize this global town hall.
3:17
What is the solution?
3:19
There have been protests, which we'll show in a moment.
3:22
It seems like it doesn't matter what anybody, celebrities or government officials say,
3:28
as somebody is just saying now, shame on Turkey.
3:31
What could possibly be done?
3:33
Yeah, thank you so much, Jane, for what you're doing.
3:37
I want to say that Unchained TV has been with this campaign from the very start.
3:41
As soon as we started getting reports from Turkish rescuers and Turkish advocates on the ground,
3:48
Unchained TV was there with us.
3:49
And we organized a global protest.
3:53
We held them in London.
3:55
We held them in Los Angeles, San Francisco, all over the place.
3:59
And, of course, these were in solidarity with the Turkish rescuers,
4:04
the Turkish advocates on the ground who were doing an incredible job.
4:08
I mean, they turned out in unbelievable numbers.
4:10
You can see here.
4:12
And these people are risking their safety.
4:16
As Siami just explains to us, rescuers are really putting their safety and their lives on the line.
4:23
So I think we really want to uplift those brave people in Turkey who are continuing to save animals in defiance of this horrendous law.
4:33
It was passed a year ago and it basically is called the Turkish massacre law because it will massacre four million cats and dogs
4:44
who have up until now been beloved.
4:46
So what we've been doing is organizing, bringing together different groups from around the world
4:49
and seeing what we can do to support activists and rescuers on the ground because they need us.
4:57
They need our global voices.
4:59
Let's go to the woman who helped organize that protest.
5:03
Oh, I have to actually go to Jane Elizabeth because I think she has one of the dogs rescued from Turkey.
5:09
I'm going to unmute you right now, my dear.
5:11
Let's put a face to this tragedy.
5:15
Tell us about this dog you rescued.
5:18
This is Jimmy.
5:19
And thanks to Amal and Siami, he is safe with us.
5:23
He's been with us.
5:23
This is his forever home.
5:26
He is amazing.
5:27
And Amal and Siami, I will tell you right now, they have been working with various animal rescue groups within the U.S.
5:35
specifically Retrieve the Golden of the Midwest and Roberts Retreat, both of whom I have worked with and volunteered with
5:43
and been doing adoptions and fostering.
5:49
And they're both incredible groups.
5:52
And thanks to people like Amal and Siami in Turkey, they are doing everything they can to rescue these dogs,
5:59
to get them spayed, neutered, vaccinated, and get them to the U.S.
6:03
They can find their forever homes.
6:06
And what I want to share, Jane, and I think it's important, is hope because it is so easy to get, you know, into this despair, right?
6:17
And there is a point to that.
6:20
There is hope in these people on this meeting today who are doing everything they can to make a difference.
6:25
And these people need your help.
6:27
Everybody here, we all need to work together to continue to push forward for the rights of these animals, regardless of the political climate.
6:35
Yes.
6:36
And I'm going to put up the URL you could go to everybody watching IDAUSA.org forward slash save Turkish strays.
6:47
And we're also putting this up on social media.
6:50
And the first thing you can do if you're disgusted by this is just go to IDAUSA.org forward slash save Turkish strays and sign the petition.
7:01
That's super important.
7:02
Now, I do want to go to the woman who organized the London protest.
7:10
Where are you?
7:12
Okay.
7:13
We're going to come.
7:13
There you go.
7:14
I apologize.
7:16
Melda.
7:17
Melda, tell us about the London protest.
7:22
Hi, Jane.
7:23
Thanks for having me.
7:24
I'd like to start with saying I wasn't the only one.
7:27
I had Fleur by my side.
7:43
We've organized over around four protests in London to counter this law.
7:54
Unfortunately, the law has passed.
7:56
We have been successful in rejecting the euthanasia clause, which we were very happy about.
8:05
However, it is important to highlight that there are over 4 million stray animals in Turkey and the shelter capacities is around 100,000.
8:16
So this is a massive discrepancy in how this government will be dealing with this.
8:22
We don't know what's going to happen to these animals.
8:26
We'd like to generate more global outrage to save as many animals as we can.
8:33
Unfortunately, as Siami has mentioned, it is so hard up in Turkey.
8:40
Even speaking now, I am afraid.
8:42
I am not a British citizen.
8:45
I am afraid of getting arrested for freedom of speech.
8:49
So this is another angle to this problem, highlighting why there isn't much interest in Turkey because people are scared.
8:58
This is why we need global support and global media to pick up on this issue.
9:07
We are going to now interview somebody who is scared for their life.
9:12
We do not want to identify them.
9:15
So I'm going to put up a banner that will prevent their identification.
9:21
But introduce them to the audience.
9:24
You are not being seen.
9:27
So you can speak, my dear.
9:29
You know who you are.
9:31
Please tell us your story and speak up.
9:35
Thank you.
9:37
Hi, Jane.
9:38
Thank you for having me.
9:40
In Turkey right now, every dog is getting killed.
9:46
And for no reason, they are saying this dog is hurting the kids, which is not even true.
9:53
And I want to tell that you cannot even trust right now the veterinarian here.
10:00
Before they graduated from the college, they started working as a veterinarian here.
10:05
And one of them took my dog and, unfortunately, killed my dog and not even gave me the body.
10:15
I asked to get the body back at least.
10:18
And, unfortunately, he rejected that.
10:22
And I applied everywhere for my dog to get justice for my dog.
10:26
And my case is still in the court.
10:28
No one is doing anything.
10:30
They are taking everything super slow because they don't care about the animal life at all.
10:36
If it was the kids or any human being, yes, it's going to solve more faster.
10:41
But right now, I want justice for my dog.
10:45
And this guy also killed so many animals.
10:48
Not only my dog and all this dog has the owner.
10:52
They trust this guy.
10:53
They give their loving one.
10:56
They give their animal.
10:58
And this guy just taking this animal and saying, I'm going to treat this animal and never giving back.
11:05
We are looking at an image of your beautiful dog taken from you, Venus.
11:12
May you rest in peace, Venus.
11:13
I am so sorry that you are going through this hell.
11:17
What is your message to the world?
11:20
Again, you are anonymous speaking live from Turkey.
11:25
Please share as much as you can.
11:27
And these poor animals need you guys.
11:31
And you can be their voice.
11:34
And please be loud because they need to hear from the government.
11:38
They need to hear for who killing them.
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And we need to be with them.
11:42
Please, if you can rescue any animal, we will help you as much as we can.
11:48
But rescue or please make them hurt.
11:53
Well, I just want you to know our hearts go out to you.
11:56
I hear your pain.
11:57
I am going to remove you from here to protect your identity.
12:02
So let us say goodbye.
12:04
But thank you.
12:05
Stay strong.
12:07
Know that you did everything to save your precious animal, Venus.
12:13
And you have all of our condolences.
12:16
We will fight in the name of Venus to end this nightmare.
12:20
Please know that.
12:22
Thank you so much for being here with us and being with these animals.
12:27
Thank you so much, Jane.
12:29
Stay strong, my dear, with love.
12:32
Oh, my gosh.
12:34
Honestly, I have to say just on a personal note, I am so overwhelmed
12:39
and just uploading these videos of these animals.
12:43
I want to go out to Nina Jackal.
12:45
Nina with Lady Freethinker.
12:47
You are Lady Freethinker.
12:49
There's been these huge protests.
12:51
There's been letter-writing campaigns.
12:55
Is there anything we can do?
12:57
I'm thinking in terms of a boycott would be possibly, you know,
13:02
follow the money.
13:06
Yeah.
13:06
First of all, Venus' story just breaks my heart.
13:11
And just watching the carnage in those videos that you've shown, Jane,
13:16
it demonstrates clearly how much we must speak out and must keep
13:22
supporting these local rescuers.
13:25
And it's heartening to see so many brave and dedicated local activists
13:30
in Turkey who are risking their own safety to help these dogs.
13:36
For those of us across the globe, we must get the message out.
13:42
We must support their efforts as best we can.
13:46
And we absolutely cannot give up.
13:48
I know that it does look bleak.
13:50
I know that there were court decisions that nobody wanted to see.
13:54
But at the same time, the more that we stick together and keep pushing
14:00
to end this, the better chance that we have of saving these dogs.
14:05
Lady Freethinker has sponsored some of the care and rescue that some of
14:12
these local rescuers are providing.
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And I'm so happy that we could do that.
14:16
But, obviously, the problem is so tremendous that it's going to take
14:21
a lot more than just rescue.
14:23
I think we need to make clear that the rest of the world is watching
14:28
and that Turkey looks terrible in the eyes of animal lovers everywhere.
14:37
And, you know, it puts a stain on their nation.
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And we need to make clear that we are watching.
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And boycotting is one possibility.
14:52
You know, people used to love to visit Turkey because there were
14:55
strays running around.
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And, you know, it was part of the scenery and part of, you know,
15:00
why it was so lovely to be there.
15:03
And now knowing that those dogs are being systematically rounded up
15:07
and killed makes it a much less desirable place to visit
15:12
in the first place.
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So, yeah, I think we need to keep reaching out to ambassadors,
15:19
reaching out to the government officials within Turkey,
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and, of course, supporting the local citizens there to, you know,
15:27
to keep getting the message out until this finally stops.
15:33
Everybody's been so patient.
15:35
We are lucky to have so many people,
15:37
considering that we're live in Turkey and in London.
15:41
But I do want to go to Lori Calief,
15:44
who is the SPCA's international executive.
15:51
SPCA is such an important organization, powerful.
15:54
The world knows the acronym.
15:57
What can be done?
16:00
Yeah, thank you.
16:01
And I just want to thank everybody for being here and being a voice
16:03
for the animals.
16:04
And I think that this is the key messaging,
16:08
is that not every single person or organization can do it themselves.
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And to be able to be in a collaboration,
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to do more work together, I think,
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is the key to hopefully making a change.
16:20
And I know that we're seeing these images every single day.
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My heart breaks.
16:26
We work with partnerships all over the globe.
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We've put a lot of efforts and time into working with our partners in
16:34
Turkey right now.
16:36
Just to piggyback off what a couple of other rescuers were saying,
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some of them were just afraid to be on today because they're afraid of
16:42
their own safety.
16:43
So I want to reiterate that these rescuers are risking their own lives to
16:48
saving animals.
16:49
And I think what we're looking at right now, and, you know,
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we've dealt with this in many other countries,
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is we're looking at there is a problem.
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There's an overpopulation, but there is a solution.
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So how do we mix our solutions with the government solution?
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This is not, this is not going to work.
17:05
A call is not going to work.
17:06
It's been proven time and time again,
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that this is not effective to controlling the population.
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A humane approach would be to trap, neuter, vaccinate, and release.
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This takes time.
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And this takes a lot of people coming together to make this happen.
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So I think, you know, speaking with everybody,
17:23
especially on this call and our partners,
17:25
we've tried that approach with the government.
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They're not willing to listen.
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How do we take a stand to make them listen?
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And how do we make Turkey have that sensitivity back again?
17:36
How do we make them into that model country where animals have been
17:40
integrated for years and years and years into everyday life society?
17:44
So we would love to look at this as taking an approach to not just an
17:48
animal welfare approach,
17:49
because we also realize that not everybody is going to love animals and want
17:54
to find a solution that helps the animals.
17:56
We want to find a solution that's going to help the communities and the
18:00
public health as well.
18:01
So I think by collaboration, trap, neuter, vaccinate, release,
18:05
obviously, you know,
18:06
building infrastructures that are safe and humane for dogs to go to is
18:12
something that we've put a lot of effort and funding into.
18:16
We've also helped, of course, with sending animals abroad.
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We're primarily in the United States,
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but we work also in Canada and we have partnerships in Western Europe as
18:25
well.
18:26
But we're really looking at, you know, what is the bigger scope here?
18:30
Not just a band-aid effect.
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And really that is changing this law.
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And I think a lot of more international pressure is needed.
18:37
Let's change the law,
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but let's take a look at this extraordinary London protest that you
18:46
organized, Melda, and what they had to say.
18:50
And then we're going to talk to some of our other guests on the other
18:53
side.
18:59
Do not be afraid to speak up.
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Even a single thing you say or a single action you take can make a huge
19:07
difference.
19:08
Do not remain silent in the face of injustice, of an intended genocide.
19:14
The silence means death for millions of animals.
19:18
You know, in Turkey today,
19:19
we are seeing tens of thousands of people take to the streets across
19:24
Izmir, Ankara, Istanbul, in cities across that great nation,
19:29
in some of the biggest animal rights protests the world has ever seen.
19:33
And I know the Turkish people, the vast majority of Turkish people,
19:36
are like you.
19:37
They love animals and they care for animals and they want to stop this
19:41
barbaric, crazy, cruel law.
19:43
Wouldn't you agree?
19:49
And we should never forget that this isn't about animals.
19:54
This is about politics.
19:56
This is about division.
19:57
This is about a president who is tired and old,
20:01
trying to hold on to power, who is demonizing dogs for political purposes.
20:06
Wouldn't you agree?
20:11
The biggest mass slaughter of dogs and cats seen anywhere in modern
20:16
recorded history.
20:17
Wouldn't you agree?
20:22
That is a stunning indictment.
20:25
I want to go to Nilgün Engin, and I'm going to unmute you, my dear.
20:30
Please unmute yourself so we can talk to you.
20:33
You are in Turkey.
20:34
I don't want to ask you any questions that are going to get you in
20:38
trouble.
20:38
We've just heard that people are scared for their lives,
20:41
even somebody who's in London.
20:43
But what is the political situation?
20:45
What are the benefits politically to killing all these animals?
20:51
I know that there's this word beautification, which is so sad.
20:56
Killing is not beautification.
20:59
Why?
21:00
Why is this happening, do you think, deep down?
21:04
It all started with the rumors and the social media, how can I say,
21:14
campaigns of a minority telling that dogs are killing children,
21:22
dogs are hurting children.
21:24
And it was all, it was a plan.
21:28
I believe it was a plan to divide people.
21:33
Animal lovers and the people who want to protect their children.
21:39
So we were aware that this law was coming, and as NGOs,
21:46
as animal rights NGOs, we did our best to defend the animals.
21:53
Then the law passed, and we did our best to stop it through Supreme Court.
21:59
We put forward all the evidences we collected.
22:03
We said, here is the report.
22:05
There are not enough shelters for you to put all the, contain all the
22:12
confines, sorry, all the dogs on the streets.
22:17
But they did it anyhow.
22:19
I believe it was a plan to divide people.
22:26
And telling that, dividing people, it is not like 50-50.
22:32
They are part of our world.
22:35
In Turkey, people live together with this race.
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And we love them.
22:41
They still love them, and when we are walking along the street now,
22:45
when we do not see our neighbor dog anymore, we are in tears every day.
22:51
Because they used to sit there every day, saying hello to us.
22:56
Now they are taken.
22:57
There are none on the streets now, and we know where they are.
23:02
We know that they are either tortured or killed.
23:06
Because that's the way we have been hearing all the incidents.
23:14
Several municipalities, there are footage showing how they tortured
23:20
the animals, how they killed them.
23:23
And I don't know.
23:26
At this point, personally, I feel, I have no clue what to do.
23:36
We are saving individuals, but we have to save them all.
23:42
But we failed them.
23:44
I'm desperate about this, and I'm so sorry.
23:48
Well, you're doing everything you can.
23:50
You should not feel bad about your efforts.
23:53
You're one of the heroes.
23:54
Just appearing and talking is a heroic act.
23:58
Look, there's a live dog mixed in with all the dead dogs.
24:02
It's just so awful.
24:03
And I want to make the point that was made at the London protest,
24:07
that there's nothing wrong with the Turkish people.
24:10
The Turkish people love animals.
24:12
And personally, when I look at this, what I see is cultural colonialism.
24:21
Because in the United States, we're killing a lot of animals,
24:25
but it's all happening behind closed doors.
24:27
So that people can run around in their yoga outfits,
24:30
talking about how peaceful they are,
24:32
while they are cosigning the killing of animals with their dollars.
24:37
So I think in their heads, they think modernization.
24:41
They want to be modern, like the West, like America.
24:46
But what they don't realize is the way they're doing it is medieval,
24:51
and it's actually backfiring and not making them look modern.
24:56
And I'd like everybody shaking their heads.
25:00
Can you weigh in on that a little bit, Lady Freethinker,
25:04
in terms of what their thoughts might be,
25:08
and how we can appeal to their sense of wanting to be part of the modern world?
25:14
This isn't the way to do it.
25:15
Spay and neuter, high-tech solutions is the way to do it.
25:20
Exactly.
25:21
And yes, they might be more developed countries
25:28
where dogs aren't roaming the streets.
25:31
That this solution might help them achieve that.
25:34
But what is happening behind the scenes here in the U.S.,
25:38
and here in Los Angeles especially, is it's heartbreaking.
25:43
The number of dogs being killed is just unfathomable.
25:48
And we need, both here and in Turkey,
25:52
better solutions that include proper education,
25:56
spay and neuter, and humane solutions
25:59
that don't involve the mass killing of any animals.
26:04
And what's really sad is that it appears to be spreading.
26:08
And I just want to say,
26:10
it gives me absolutely no pleasure to point out that,
26:15
along with all the problems in Turkey,
26:19
now we have a massacre planned in Morocco,
26:24
because they're trying to clean up and beautify their city
26:27
ahead of the 2030 World Cup.
26:29
And we also have a similar genocide of animals
26:35
developing in India, in Delhi, and Rajasthan.
26:39
So I want to go to a hero who tried to disrupt
26:43
the Morocco World Cup event in Philadelphia
26:48
to make a point about the killing of dogs in Morocco.
27:28
So there were two groups of people
27:30
One of them is Johnny Mara.
27:32
Thank you for being here.
27:34
You risked arrest.
27:35
I don't know if you were actually arrested.
27:37
What was your point and what happened to you?
27:40
Yeah, that was another amazing action by PETA.
27:45
Same concept, you know,
27:48
Morocco has this project or this plan
27:50
to beautify their city by 2030 for the FIFA World Cup.
27:57
And so it's a story I've been following for a while.
28:02
So when PETA approached me and asked me
28:06
if I wanted to partake in the event,
28:07
I was more than thrilled to be able to, you know,
28:12
step onto their platform and tell the world
28:14
what's really going on.
28:16
I had already done an event for the bullfighting
28:20
in Colombia and Mexico.
28:23
And so it was a no brainer.
28:24
Came out to Philadelphia.
28:26
That was my friend Scotty who got on the field
28:28
and he's half my age.
28:32
And so he got out there in the field
28:33
and then he was tackled.
28:35
I got halfway on the field and then I was tackled.
28:37
But the point was to let people know
28:40
or to let the government of Morocco know
28:42
that we're watching, that the world is watching,
28:45
that we're not going to tolerate the straight killings
28:47
of these dogs, these innocent dogs.
28:49
And, you know, it was an absolute pleasure
28:52
to be able to put myself on the line.
28:54
And yes, I was arrested.
28:55
I was incarcerated.
28:57
And we were thrown in city jail for three days
29:00
and two nights.
29:02
I think they wanted to make an example of us
29:04
considering that this was in Philadelphia.
29:05
I'm in Arizona.
29:07
Scotty's in Michigan.
29:08
And so I don't think that they liked
29:10
that we were in their town, you know,
29:13
jumping into their Eagles football stadium field
29:15
to tell the world about what's going on.
29:18
But it was a no brainer, like I said.
29:20
I want to bring in, first of all, heroic work.
29:24
I applaud you.
29:25
I don't have the guts to do something like that.
29:27
So I applaud anybody who has the guts
29:29
to put their freedom on the line for this.
29:32
We're going to go back to some of the folks
29:33
waiting in Turkey, but we do have a new guest
29:35
joining us from Turkey, Bij Orer,
29:40
with Four-Legged City Association in Turkey.
29:43
You've been listening, Bij.
29:44
Tell us what your thoughts are about, you know,
29:47
how we can get through to these governments,
29:51
the Turkish government, now the Moroccan government,
29:53
and then we have to include India as well.
29:57
Is there a solution?
29:58
When you have Ricky Gervais, who's a famous guy,
30:01
and you have all these big media showing up
30:04
for London protests, and then we went
30:06
to the Turkish consulate in LA, nothing.
30:09
Nothing seems to get to them.
30:11
What could have worked, Bij?
30:13
I think there's always a solution.
30:16
And I think the fact that we are here together,
30:19
all of us, trying to defend the rights of animals,
30:25
this is important, and this will change the world,
30:28
and this will change how the politicians act and behave.
30:34
There is a lot we can do.
30:36
So we are, as the Four-Legged City,
30:40
which is a grassroots organization
30:42
dedicated to advocating for and enhancing
30:45
animal rights in Turkey,
30:47
we believe that we really need to bring our forces
30:54
and our passion to ensure the rights of animals
31:03
for a well-deserved life.
31:07
And, I mean, there are, of course,
31:10
different actions that can be done
31:12
at the governmental level, at the civil society level,
31:16
and this needs to be really immediate.
31:21
I mean, we have been working in this field since 2013,
31:25
and we are also trying to respond
31:27
to the consequences of the climate crisis.
31:32
So, I mean, there is really a lot that needs to be done.
31:37
But we are really hopeful that if we are able
31:42
to really bring our forces together
31:45
from different parts of the world
31:47
and really create, you know,
31:52
create, I mean, bring our voices together,
31:55
you know, act immediately,
32:00
this hopefully will give us a secure space
32:07
for animals to continue their lives.
32:10
I love your optimism,
32:12
but we're looking now at a very large protest.
32:15
And as I was listening to the video,
32:17
they said that all these major news organizations were there
32:20
and celebrities have, like I said,
32:24
Ricky Gervais and others have spoken out about it,
32:27
and it doesn't seem, I mean,
32:30
there's some kind of missing piece to the puzzle
32:32
that let's hope that by putting our heads together
32:36
we can get through to them
32:37
and what's in their self-interest.
32:39
My personal feeling as an American,
32:42
I've always wanted to go to Turkey.
32:44
I have read about Turkey's history.
32:46
I've envisioned it.
32:47
Do I want to go now?
32:49
Hell to the no.
32:51
I am not going to Turkey.
32:53
So I think as this spreads,
32:55
there's a lot of Americans and others from around the world,
32:59
and I assume,
33:00
and let's go back to somebody who's live in Turkey,
33:03
that tourism is a big deal
33:06
and that if we make it clear that it's going to hurt their tourism
33:11
and get these tourist tours
33:12
and these companies that do tours of Turkey,
33:17
I've looked at them because I've always wanted to go to Turkey.
33:20
Maybe that's the way.
33:22
I mean, any thoughts on that as you are in Turkey, Siami?
33:28
Yeah.
33:30
I don't think this will make any difference for these suckers
33:34
because I know their minds.
33:35
I know their thoughts.
33:37
I was a good businessman.
33:38
I was pretty wealthy.
33:39
I'm spending all my fortune for these animals now.
33:43
They say they will find new tourists from Arabic land,
33:49
from Afghanistan, from other places.
33:53
They are very keen on this.
33:55
They don't give a damn.
33:57
They like the Qatari people now.
33:59
They are selling our land to these Arabs,
34:02
and we have more than 16 million Syrian killers in Turkey
34:07
and 5 or 6 million Afghan young guys in Turkey.
34:12
They are not older than 25.
34:16
They are trying to change the outfit of Turkey in 10 or 20 years.
34:24
Hopefully, I won't be alive at the time.
34:27
We will see another different land, another different culture.
34:32
We are losing the country without fighting.
34:36
So I'm not very hopeful.
34:38
As I just said, I can't sleep comfortably.
34:42
So this is why I'm doing this, trying to save as much as I can
34:46
because I have the opportunity to do that.
34:50
I don't want to spend the money on my own welfare,
34:53
on my own cheer.
34:56
I just want to rescue as many animals as I can
35:00
because I love them.
35:01
It's hurting my conscience.
35:03
This is unfair.
35:06
Your wife wants to say something.
35:09
Yes, I will translate what she says.
35:14
These guys, they've been running the country for 25 years,
35:19
and at least for the last 20 years,
35:22
this Bay Trap nature release thing,
35:25
it is written on the book, but it's not applied.
35:29
Even by the minority city municipalities,
35:34
it's not working.
35:35
Everybody in Turkey, in the ruling class,
35:39
they are very keen on killing and wiping out.
35:43
I don't think this will be fixed.
35:45
I am very hopeless about this.
35:47
The other thing is just an optimist dream.
35:53
I'm not hoping that.
35:55
Let me say this.
35:56
We've heard from both sides.
35:58
We've heard from Bij, who's an optimist.
36:00
We've heard from you.
36:01
You're a pessimist.
36:02
You're nodding your head, Melda.
36:07
Where's the reality?
36:10
To be honest with you, I'm some days very optimistic,
36:13
some days very pessimistic.
36:15
I'm very optimistic of the youth in Turkey.
36:18
There's loads of animal lovers in Turkey.
36:21
Veganism is growing.
36:23
I'd like to highlight the people, the common people,
36:28
they are massive animal lovers.
36:30
In Turkey, wherever you go, you'll see bowls of water
36:34
and food for stray cats and dogs.
36:37
As Siam highlighted, this is politics.
36:41
This is political.
36:43
In the 2004 animal rights law, TNR is mentioned,
36:50
but it hasn't been enforced.
36:52
It comes down to the ruling party, the authorities,
36:56
not doing their jobs properly.
36:59
That is Erdogan's ruling party.
37:02
Now with the law, the stray animals, mostly dogs,
37:07
are blamed.
37:08
Here's the interesting part.
37:10
If you look up Turkey's Instagram page,
37:15
they advertise the cats of Istanbul to draw tourists in.
37:24
Really, the burden is on mostly the dogs.
37:28
The dogs have been demonised.
37:31
There are some Islamic arguments as well for this,
37:37
which have been, as Negin mentioned,
37:41
trending on Twitter and social media pages
37:45
by government-supporting troll accounts.
37:51
However, I am hopeful because we have been able to protest
37:55
and we have organised Europe to protest.
37:59
It empowered Istanbul last year to protest.
38:02
There was a massive protest in Istanbul.
38:06
Thousands have attended.
38:08
After seeing immigrants in Turkey,
38:11
I believe this has empowered Turkish people.
38:14
Because of the protest, the euthanasia clause was removed.
38:20
I see this as an animal rights researcher.
38:23
I see this as a positive.
38:26
However, we have been in these shelters.
38:29
These shelters are in horrific conditions.
38:36
Overcrowded, unsanitised, as you can see in the pictures and videos right now.
38:41
We know these shelters are death camps.
38:45
We would like to urge the local authorities
38:49
and all the global animal charities and Turkish charities
38:54
to start neutering and spaying these stray animals
38:59
and initiate a culture of adoption.
39:03
We also have to stop puppy mills in Turkey.
39:06
It is fashionable right now in Turkey to adopt pretty-looking poodles and terriers.
39:13
However, this is ridiculous when there are so many dogs suffering,
39:19
so many cats and dogs suffering on the streets.
39:21
We have to initiate educational campaigns.
39:25
This has to start with the people and the local authorities.
39:30
We have seen this in Romania.
39:32
We have seen this in 2013 in Romania.
39:35
Killing hasn't worked.
39:39
We've seen this in Eastern Europe.
39:42
Now, I'm not really surprised with Morocco and India.
39:45
Sadly, we will see it in other developing countries as well.
39:50
However, I am hopeful because I have seen people rescuing individuals.
39:57
It might be one life that we have saved,
40:00
but for that animal, it is that animal's entire life.
40:03
I have stray animals I have adopted in Turkey,
40:06
looked after by my amazing parents.
40:09
If you are watching, thank you for looking after my animals.
40:14
This is why I'm hopeful, because I know people who rescue in Turkey.
40:19
What about Turkish celebrities?
40:22
A lot of times, Fleur, when we want to get something done,
40:26
and Jane Elizabeth, you can jump in too.
40:28
You're both here in California, and Hollywood is obviously a big thing.
40:32
When a celebrity comes out and says something all of a sudden,
40:36
now, I know Ricky Gervais has spoken out,
40:38
but what about Turkish celebrities?
40:41
Is there any attempt to, can we get them involved?
40:46
Who wants to take that, Jane Elizabeth?
40:48
I will take that one.
40:51
I think Jane's very good on the Turkish rescue.
40:55
She's been amazing, as you can see.
40:58
We've been reaching out a lot to lots of different celebrities,
41:02
and we're obviously delighted to get major names like Ricky Gervais,
41:06
I think Chris Packham, a bunch of different celebrities
41:10
who have been putting themselves out to help us.
41:15
Turkish celebrities, there have been a few on the ground at the beginning.
41:21
I think particularly, there was a massive, massive protest in Istanbul,
41:26
and there were a few who actually, I believe, performed at the demonstration.
41:30
But since then, since the law passed,
41:34
it's been very, very difficult to get Turkish celebrities involved.
41:40
I think the feeling is very real that we are hearing from the people
41:45
who we have appearing on here from Turkey.
41:48
They are scared.
41:50
They are scared of what the government can do to them.
41:53
They are not free to voice their opinions,
41:56
even if your voice is calling for something as wonderful
42:00
as promoting compassion and stopping killing.
42:03
Unfortunately, I think it really speaks to a greater message that's going on here.
42:10
There's a subliminal message being given from the government to the people,
42:15
and it's saying, we can snuff you out like this.
42:19
You're showing children that animals are garbage.
42:24
You're showing, I can do whatever you want.
42:26
Might is right.
42:28
It's telling people that if you're an inconvenience to us,
42:32
we are going to quash you.
42:34
And that's not just happening in Turkey.
42:36
It's happening in Morocco.
42:38
It's actually a global day of action as well for the Moroccan dogs.
42:43
And, yeah, we're seeing in Delhi is even promoting dog killing,
42:48
or it's going to they say that they're going to round up one million dogs,
42:53
but they don't have the space.
42:54
It's the same story over and over again.
42:57
And these governments, I think they want to be seen to be doing something.
43:02
They're also providing jobs for some people who are very violent people.
43:06
I mean, these are people who what kind of person is willing to kill a dog?
43:10
And we're seeing the most horrific kinds of killing.
43:13
This is not kind of leading them off kindly into the back of a shelter
43:19
and giving them a lethal injection.
43:21
This is bludgeoning them with poles, like dragging them by the neck.
43:27
We're seeing poisonings.
43:28
We're seeing them like suffocated in bin bags.
43:31
We're seeing them put in the back of trash carts buried alive.
43:34
It's unbelievable what's happening.
43:37
So, yeah, please, I think one of the best possible things we can do,
43:41
obviously, if you are watching from anywhere,
43:45
you can go to sign these petitions that we have.
43:49
There's two on screen there from the Save Movement.
43:54
We've also got IDAUSA.org slash Morocco, IDAUSA.org slash Save Turkey Strays,
44:01
and building this network.
44:04
What we really want to see is we're building a network in country to show the government
44:10
that we are strong and we are resilient.
44:12
And no matter what you're doing, no matter what kind of violence you're perpetuating,
44:17
we are going to stand in compassion.
44:19
And, you know, Supporters Money, In Defence of Animals is sending Supporters Money to have that infrastructure
44:26
that is supporting animals, that is supporting the compassionate people.
44:30
So I think this is really backfiring on any governments who are doing these kinds of killings
44:36
and saying that animal lives are not worth anything.
44:39
They are actually sowing the seeds of resistance to animal killing,
44:43
the seeds of compassion against them.
44:46
So, yeah, please keep doing what you're doing and supporting all of the organisations
44:51
and rescuers that are on this.
44:53
And we're just so grateful that you brought us all together today, Jane.
44:57
And I want to say there's some very disturbing footage, and I'm going to put up a warning,
45:02
very short, but I think we have to see what's really going on for a second
45:06
to really understand the scope of it.
45:09
You mentioned violent people doing violent things.
45:13
Here you go.
45:14
This is what happens to these dogs when they're taken.
45:18
I mean, they're being beaten to death.
45:19
Look at this.
45:21
I mean, this is caught on tape, violence.
45:27
So it's so horrifying.
45:29
And I want to also give a shout-out to all the social media influencers and videographers.
45:35
We credited them for their brave work.
45:40
Can you imagine what they went through just to get that shot?
45:43
So we're almost out of time.
45:46
I want to just do a round-robin.
45:49
I personally, listening to all this, feel like I understand the bad mentality,
45:56
and I could be 100% wrong.
45:58
But I'll kick it off, and then we'll do a round-robin.
46:01
My understanding of it is a flawed attempt to modernise and to be part of the 21st century.
46:09
And while having all the strays around used to be quaint and wonderful in their minds,
46:17
it means they're not part of the 21st century modern club of Western world, especially America.
46:28
They want to modernise.
46:29
They want to be considered modern.
46:32
And our task, which seems very difficult, is to convince them they're actually going in the wrong direction.
46:39
They're going toward medievalism, and that modern behaviour would be bringing in spay-neuter en masse.
46:47
I'm sure there are veterinarians from around the world who would converge on Turkey
46:51
and spay-neuter in a mass effort very quickly to get the problem under control,
46:58
just as some countries in Northern Europe have done and gotten their stray population under control.
47:09
How do we convince them that this is the smart way, this is the modern way,
47:14
that this is how you get in the club, not what you're doing,
47:18
that you're going backwards and you're actually co-signing what you're trying to avoid?
47:24
That's my perception of it, listening to everybody, but I could be wrong.
47:29
So let's do a round, Robyn.
47:31
Starting with Melda, you're in London.
47:35
What are your final thoughts?
47:38
My final thoughts are we must enforce TNR.
47:42
We must lead educational campaigns.
47:46
We need millions to adopt.
47:48
If it takes that local authority, don't start neutering and spaying our animals.
47:55
We as the Turkish people have to go out on the streets and save them one by one.
48:00
This is the direct action solution.
48:03
Your understanding is spot on, Jane.
48:07
This is an effort for Turkey to modernise, but look at Turkey's other actions,
48:14
putting the oppositional leader of Istanbul into prison, other human rights abusers.
48:23
This is among only one other abuse that this government has carried out.
48:31
The solution is to hopefully one day vote them out democratically to get people fed up.
48:39
Turkish economy has been in shambles for the last few years as well.
48:46
Lots of students, journalists, academics in prison.
48:50
I am an academic. I am an aspiring academic.
48:53
However, I don't want to return to Turkey for fear of going to prison.
49:00
So we must build a grassroots movement, not just for animals, but for the youth.
49:07
Thank you so much. Let's go to Nilgin in Turkey, live in Turkey.
49:14
What are your final thoughts on what we can do?
49:18
Thank you, Jane. Thank you for bringing this massive issue for Turkey to your portal.
49:28
I agree with Siami. I have lost most of my hope.
49:35
But let's please keep on collaborating to save individuals.
49:41
We can do it. There are thousands, millions of animal advocates, animal lovers in Turkey.
49:51
And when they do, they need secure houses.
49:57
Maybe if we can keep the connection very tight,
50:01
we can help them find happy houses.
50:06
That's what I could only recommend.
50:09
From legislation-wise, from protest-wise, I see no future. I'm sorry.
50:17
Well, you're entitled to your opinion. You're there on the ground.
50:21
I want to thank you for having the courage to speak today.
50:23
Let's go to the next person who is in Turkey on the ground.
50:27
Siami, your final thoughts about what could be achieved here?
50:31
My friends, if you can reach out to the master of the puppets,
50:35
Mr. Trump is the guy at the moment.
50:38
It is one order. I am exactly very much sure as my name.
50:44
All these people in Turkey, the government people,
50:47
are going to suck the toes and the paws of all these animals.
50:54
This is the only solution.
50:55
Okay, that's interesting. Get the United States government involved.
51:02
And you know what? Never say never.
51:05
You are smiling. Let's go to Lori Califf with SPCA International.
51:14
Lori, what is your final thought?
51:18
First, I just want to honor the sensitivity of what our fellow rescuers
51:24
are experiencing in the country.
51:27
I think that we do need to start with a global human educational campaign about this.
51:32
We've started to. I think we can increase our efforts.
51:36
I do want to say that there's this notion where there's out of sight, out of mind,
51:41
because someone brought it up on this panel,
51:44
that we have the same issue in our own country, but it's behind the scenes.
51:50
So it's a lot easier to stomach.
51:53
But what the rescuers are seeing on the ground is absolutely atrocious.
51:57
And I just want to, again, applaud everybody for being able to speak
52:01
and also for validating the loss of hope.
52:05
But I think that holding hands with one another all across the world,
52:09
we can regain that hope because I think that there is change.
52:12
And I just want to use a very, very brief case study.
52:16
Melda, I think you brought it up with what happened in Romania in January of 2013
52:19
when the government ordered for a mass culling and ordered the citizens
52:24
to go out on the streets and kill as many stray dogs as possible.
52:27
In Bucharest alone, the population went from approximately 60,000 to 20,000 within months.
52:33
Fast forward to almost a decade later, the regulations have completely changed
52:39
and a lot of people got involved through education.
52:42
And now it's mandatory to spay and neuter your animal in the city of Bucharest.
52:46
You will actually get fined close to $2 million if the police come back and knock at your door
52:52
and they don't see that you have neutered or spayed your animal through an NGO
52:54
that they have partnered up with.
52:56
So I think there is, if we can show, and I know that we're dealing with a very difficult government,
53:02
if we can show that this actually works, then we have a chance and that hope is brought back.
53:08
And lastly, I just want to say that it may seem overwhelming to anybody listening to watching this,
53:14
but the moment that you say, how can I help? You are helping.
53:17
You're being a voice, whether it's sharing what's going on,
53:20
whether or not it's signing petitions, attending protests around the world,
53:26
supporting and funding the local grassroots organizations in Turkey
53:29
through larger organizations who are supporting them as well.
53:33
You are doing something.
53:35
Thank you so much.
53:37
OK, Johnny, you're shaking your head, your final thought.
53:41
Yeah, this is definitely a political issue.
53:46
I am sure that the residents of Turkey are compassionate people that love animals.
53:52
Just with our action when I was arrested and we were dragged off the field,
53:56
I could see all the Moroccan fans reading our message.
54:01
And I can't tell you the huge percentage of this I got from people.
54:05
People were reaching out.
54:07
You can see that 95 percent of the people out there absolutely loved our message.
54:11
And it was just a small percentage of the people out there that didn't appreciate it.
54:16
I think that if we continue to bring attention to the calling of any animals in any country on global platforms,
54:24
such as what PETA provides, when we write letters, when we sign petitions,
54:30
when we put pressure on the partners of these governments that are bringing westernized events to their countries,
54:41
such as FIFA for World Cup or the Olympics.
54:45
These countries are under the pressure of beautifying their cities,
54:49
but they're going about it the wrong way, as it was mentioned earlier by a panelist.
54:53
They're going medieval with it as opposed to, you know, trap, neuter, vaccinate and release.
55:00
And so we just need to continue to put pressure on these governments and let them know that the whole world is watching
55:05
and that we're not going to let them continue to do that.
55:08
Otherwise, we're just going to continue to show up in these places where the whole world is watching
55:12
and continue to put them on blast, basically.
55:16
Well, you raise a very important point.
55:18
I mean, I want to amend my final thought is that maybe we need to go to like the World Cup, FIFA,
55:24
and say, before you make an arrangement to go to any country, you have to guarantee,
55:30
because I'm sure there's some event happening probably in Turkey that they're getting ready for,
55:35
and go to those organizations and say, you must make a commitment that they don't kill animals,
55:41
make the city beautiful, because killing isn't beautification, and it has to be in writing.
55:47
I mean, that's a real practical one.
55:50
And, Nina, your lady freethinker is shaking her head.
55:54
What do you think?
55:55
Jane, I think you're on to something.
55:58
I think that, you know, when we go to these larger companies who care very much about their self-image,
56:04
even if certain politicians might not, and hold them accountable in some way,
56:11
I think that they hold the power to make a difference themselves.
56:16
And if anybody thinks that this effort to exterminate dogs makes them look more modern,
56:24
we must be clear that it is the absolute opposite,
56:28
and that these images of gore and beatings and torture truly are medieval,
56:34
and really put them back in the Stone Ages.
56:38
Absolutely.
56:39
And when I saw this dog, Nina, I just literally my heart broke.
56:43
This poor little puppy in a dumpster, this innocent face, going off to be crushed to death.
56:51
Oh, my God.
56:53
It made me so embarrassed to be a member of the human race at that moment,
56:57
and just really just tore my heart apart.
57:00
Oh, my gosh.
57:02
I want to just get everybody's final thoughts.
57:05
I get choked up a little bit sometimes because I've spent hours, like, uploading these videos,
57:10
and there's so many more that I didn't.
57:12
I said, let's just do a taste.
57:13
We can't overwhelm people.
57:15
Jane Elizabeth, your final thoughts in terms of solutions.
57:21
Yeah.
57:21
Thank you so much, Jane, for doing this, and thank you to everybody for coming together.
57:25
And I think this is a really good example, a clear example of corrupt government overreach,
57:31
and we need to take action on all sides.
57:33
We need to stand with the people of Turkey.
57:35
We cannot forget that because, like we have heard,
57:38
the majority of people in Turkey do not support the torture and killing of these animals,
57:43
and we need to tell them that they are not alone in this fight, that we are standing with them.
57:48
We need to support education.
57:50
We need to support spay-neuter.
57:52
You can adopt.
57:53
If you can't adopt, you can foster.
57:55
If you can't foster, volunteer.
57:57
If you can't volunteer, donate.
57:59
If you can't donate, share on social media.
58:02
There's always something you can do.
58:04
Support your local rescue groups, rescue groups in Turkey who are working with rescue groups here in the U.S.
58:12
We all share this responsibility together, and as a collective, we can make a difference.
58:17
So it's easy to think that one person can't make a difference.
58:21
There are millions of us, though, so every single person can make a difference by doing what they can,
58:26
when they can, where they can, and we are responsible for pushing this forward for the animals,
58:33
regardless of what's going on politically, and supporting the people here, too, because they are not alone.
58:39
All of you in Turkey, you are not alone.
58:40
We are here with you.
58:42
We support you.
58:43
We are going to do everything we can, and everyone watching here, do what you can,
58:48
because if you sit in that place of not being able to do enough, that's when we're not going to see change.
58:54
We need you to do what you can,
58:56
and that's how we're going to see real change moving forward is as a collective moving forward for the animals and for their rights.
59:05
Well said.
59:06
We are going to go back out to Turkey.
59:10
Bij, we're going to give you, I think you're one of the last, the final word.
59:14
Thank you for unmuting.
59:20
Go ahead.
59:21
Unmute.
59:23
All right.
59:23
Well, you've said your piece, so I know.
59:27
Oh, there you go.
59:28
Go ahead.
59:29
Thank you so much, Jane, for giving support, and thank you, everyone, for your compassion, care, and education.
59:37
I mean, I really believe that there is a lot that we can do.
59:41
And we can, I mean, we need to continue saving lives of animals, continue feeding them, giving them water, giving them, rescuing them,
59:53
and giving medical aid, and to find homes in both Turkey and internationally,
1:00:01
and to increase efforts for international and national campaigns to change legislations and to raise voices together.
1:00:09
To support grassroots organizations and people who are in the field in Turkey is really, really important.
1:00:18
And putting pressure on the decision makers, you know, to change the legislations and for the implementation of these legislations.
1:00:30
Our action together is, I think, very important.
1:00:34
And I'm really, I mean, against all these horrible things happening and all this grief, I really try to, you know, keep hope, because we cannot let it go.
1:00:54
We have to, you know, bring our forces together and continue fighting against these acceptable things happening.
1:01:04
Thank you.
1:01:05
Thank you so much. Well said.
1:01:07
Okay, Fleur Dawes from Indefensive Animals did such a great job helping to organize this.
1:01:13
I know you're working around the clock on this.
1:01:15
You're the final, final thought.
1:01:18
You're so sweet, Jane.
1:01:19
I know we're kind of out of time, but Jane Elizabeth from Indefensive Animals wrapped it up so nicely.
1:01:24
But I will say, I'll leave this final thought.
1:01:26
If you've been affected by these very awful videos and what you're hearing from activists on the ground, Indefensive Animals does offer support to you.
1:01:38
Confidential, free, vegan counsellors who understand you.
1:01:42
So you can go to IDAUSA.org slash activist support and we will be there to hear you and to help you.
1:01:51
And also, of course, provide you with resources to do all of these actions.
1:01:54
We're going to be following up on them.
1:01:56
So it's been an amazing space.
1:01:58
Thank you so much again to Unchained TV.
1:02:01
You've been there supporting us all the way and we will absolutely be following up.
1:02:06
Everyone on here is going to be following up with these actions and we will not stop.
1:02:09
We will not be disheartened.
1:02:11
So thank you again for watching.
1:02:14
Well, I want to thank all the organizations involved.
1:02:17
This is one of the links.
1:02:19
There are other links that are on, for example, Facebook.
1:02:21
But just write this down.
1:02:23
IDAUSA.org forward slash save Turkish strays.
1:02:27
If you just sign that petition and there's a lot of other action points in there to get involved.
1:02:32
I want to thank Indefensive Animals and the Animal Save Movement and Lady Freethinker and Four-Legged City Association and SPCA International.
1:02:44
And I want to make sure I didn't leave anybody out.
1:02:49
Animal Save and Plant Based Treaty.
1:02:51
All of these organizations have come together.
1:02:54
I think we have some ideas that have come out of this.
1:02:57
So it's not just, oh, my God.
1:02:59
It's, oh, my God.
1:03:01
But we can do this.
1:03:02
We can do that.
1:03:03
And we're going to continue to coordinate further and not give up.
1:03:08
I'll leave it with a quote from Nelson Mandela.
1:03:11
It always seems impossible until it's done.
1:03:16
Thank you, everybody, for joining us.
1:03:18
Let's do this.
1:03:20
These animals cannot speak for themselves.
1:03:47
We're very upset.
1:03:48
We've seen videos of these animals in mass graves where they've been bludgeoned to death.
1:03:54
And we are very deeply disturbed.
1:03:57
Do not remain silent in the face of injustice, of an intended genocide.
1:04:04
The silence means death for millions of animals.
1:04:07
This is about a president who is trying and all trying to hold on to power,
1:04:13
who is demonizing dogs for political purposes.
1:04:16
The biggest mass slaughter of dogs and cats seen anywhere in modern recorded history.