A CHRISTMAS STORY  on Faith, Hope and Goodwill, by Patty Mark, ALV The season of Peace and Goodwill is here again, yet world turmoils and marching materialism ensure this universal wish is still a distant star. But a glow of hope is on the horizon and will give us all a reason to have some cheer over the holidays. Three wise Swedish people have lit a candle against the largest evil in the world - the slaughterhouse. Killing centers, abattoirs, slaughterhouses, knackeries or whatever you want to call them, are more entrenched in our midst than Hitler's holocaust could ever dream of. The trauma and sheer extent of never-ending slaughter is overwhelming. Now three young people filled with total faith and resolve have stood tall at the front line and said NO. Ida-Lovisa Rudolfsson, Pelle Strindlund and Fredric Carlsson-Andersson went into a slaughterhouse in the Swedish town of Skövde late at night and dismantled equipment that would the next morning kill countless cows and pigs. They wrote a letter to the employees explaining their actions, saying it was all about saving lives and nothing about them personally.  They left the letter in the staff room with a packet of biscuits and then contacted the police. Their brave act of civil disobediance was both a compelling desire to stop the violence and bloodshed that would occur the following morning as well as a symbolic gesture against the cruel meat industry. Ida, Pelle and Fredric were prepared to bear witness to their actions.  Such is the strength of their convictions against the immorality of killing others to please our taste buds; and their dedication to creating peace and goodwill in our world. Ida and Fredric were sentenced to 140 hours of community service. Pelle Strindlund, 31, was sentenced to 8 months imprisonment. All three were also ordered to pay 200,000 kronor plus VAT (about US$20,000) to the slaughterhouse. They all refuse to pay the money, claiming this is like saying sorry for what they have done, when they aren't. As you read this, Pelle is sitting in a prison cell, he writes that he has no regrets for doing what he did and will continue his struggle for animals rights once released. I have been inside many abattoirs and saw countless terrified, screaming, struggling and frothing-at-the-mouth animals killed in front of me. The last thing many of them saw were my eyes, moist with impotent pain and horror of what was happening to them. Pelle, Ida and Fredric have given hope not only to animals, but also to us, showing there are people willing to do more than turn a blind or wet eye. They are heroes and crusaders of the highest order. We can help, we can stop the animal holocaust. Abattoirs are only there because people buy and eat meat. Each one of us who becomes a vegan will save more lives than these three courageous people did with their action that night. Encourage your family and friends to follow this healthy and humane lifestyle, there are no prison terms involved! Peace and goodness will truly be ours. Also, when doing your Christmas card list this year, please add Pelle (address below).  I'm sure he'd appreciate your support and kind thoughts and it'll also let the prison system know he's not alone in his love and devotion for animals. It's a good idea to also send a Christmas card to the Swedish Prime Minister, Göran Persson. Let him know that your thoughts are with Pelle Strindlund.  Tell him that even though Pelle is now sitting in a Swedish jail cell, the day will come when Sweden will highly honour this special son and hold him in high esteem for his moral strength and vision.  Since Pelle is one person who actually decreased rather than increased the shedding of blood, ask the Prime Minister to release him from prison as a gesture of Christmas goodwill. And when Steven Speilberg makes STRINDLUND'S LIST, we'll know we have gone up a few steps. / Patty Mark, President Animal Liberation Victoria www.alv.org.au www.openrescue.org Address for Pelle Strindlund Pelle Strindlund Ostragard kriminalvardsanstalt Box 215 SE-462 23 Vanersborg SWEDEN Address for Swedish Prime Minister Prime Minister Göran Persson Rosenbad 4 SE-103 33 Stockholm SWEDEN Fax: + 46 8 723 11 71 E-mail: registrator@primeminister.ministry.se