Family of animal rights activist who died at protest speaks outside Burlington courthouse

The family and friends of an activist who was killed during an animal rights protest at a Burlington pork slaughterhouse last year gathered outside a Burlington courthouse Monday morning (Sept. 27), as the truck driver charged in connection with the incident was to make his first appearance in court.

Regan Russell, of Hamilton, was hit by a transport truck that was hauling pigs through the gates of Fearmans Pork meat processing facility at Appleby Line and Harvester Road in June 2020.

Halton Regional Police charged the 29-year-old male truck driver from North Perth with careless driving causing death under the province's Highway Traffic Act.

Russell's husband Mark Powell, as well as friend Lori Croonen, who was there during the fatal incident, were joined by other supporters in calling for justice and demanding the charges be raised to a criminal level.

In a news release, her stepson Joshua Powell said it was unacceptable" for her death to have been deemed a minor incident."

It is the firm belief, of family, friends, and supporters of Regan, that these charges are not just," he said, while also calling for video of the incident to be released to legal counsel hired by the family.

Halton police said at the time that there were no grounds that the incident was an intentional act or that a criminal offence had been committed.

Monday afternoon's court appearance was cancelled, a family member of Russell said, due to the justice of the peace being ill.