TORONTO

Approximately 50 people blocked the entrance to trucks transporting cows to slaughter Thursday morning in what they called an act of nonviolent civil disobedience.

Activists had attempted to convince the owner of St. Helen’s Meat Packers in Toronto’s Junction area to transform the plant into a business that is “more humane and sustainable.”

Six hundred cows a day are slaughtered at the plant.

The activists claim that these animals are not treated humanely and are young animals with “thoughts, emotions, and the will to survive.”

The Toronto Police allowed the protest to continue for two hours before they swooped in and arrested seven of the protesters to clear the path for the transports.