Vegan Activist Tash Peterson Seeks Funds to Attend UK Festival Amid Bankruptcy Woes
Controversial vegan activist Tash Peterson is facing a significant financial hurdle as she attempts to attend a major vegan festival in the UK, despite being declared bankrupt following a failed defamation case against a Perth veterinarian last year.
Peterson, who has been ordered to pay $280,000 in damages, has had her passport confiscated and is required to hand over $30,000 to the bankruptcy trustee to leave Australia.
To raise these funds, a GoFundMe page has been set up, with any excess donations to be directed towards the Farm Transparency Project, supporting ongoing animal rights activism.
Background of Defamation Case
The defamation case against Peterson and her boyfriend, Jack Higgs, was sparked by allegations that a Bicton vet was “eating her own patients.”
The WA Supreme Court Chief Justice, Peter Quinlan, ultimately ruled in favour of the vet, ordering the pair to pay damages and handing down a strong rebuke against Peterson and Higgs for publishing defamatory claims.
Festival Appearance and Advocacy
Despite her current financial difficulties, Peterson has been invited to speak at the UK Vegan Camp Out, an event featuring international vegan influencers, music, and comedy performances.
Her appearance at the festival aims to highlight issues of speciesism and advocate for the abolition of animal exploitation and slavery.
Peterson has gained notoriety for her bold and attention-grabbing approach to activism, which has included staging protests outside restaurants and at agricultural shows.
Her commitment to veganism has also led to a range of legal repercussions, including 30 police “move on” orders, three restraining orders, and 17 criminal convictions.