The Austrian Consulate in Dresden is a short walk from the congress centre. On wednesday, during the congress around 350 of the delegates, well over half, from the EVU congress walked over to the Consulate with banners and large photos of the prisoners.

Once outside the Consulate representatives of the German group Vegetarier Bund Deutschlands, Austrian Association Against Animal Factories (VGT) and the Austrian Vegan Society (VGÖ) gave speeches. Topping the bill of speakers was the German Green MP Barbara Rütting.

Although the vigil took part during regular visiting hours at the Austrian Consulate, noboby there was prepared to speak to the European Vegetarian Union (EVU) congress representatives!
Local and national media were present and a piece appeared in the Morgen Post the next day.

Back at the congress signatures were collected from congress delegates and the petition was taken to the consulate the following day. Once again, although the EVU congress representatives arrived at the Consulate during visiting hours, they were unable to speak to anyone. It was quite a surprise to the congress to see that consulate officials are prepared to treat an international NGO in this off-hand manner.

Thank you to all the EVU congress organisers and delegates for their support!