Animal rights activists in the United States held a rally outside the building of the Greek Embassy in Washington.
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) staged the protest to call an end to Santorini’s donkey rides that require the animals to endure inhumane conditions while taking tourists up and down the island’s steep cliffs.
Oftentimes the donkeys are mistreated and forced to transport tourists, some overweight, in scorching heat without water and then continue working late into the night, carrying garbage. Once they get old, they are abandoned and left to die, according to PETA.
PETA President Ingrid Newkirk wants the Greek authorities to stop this abuse, and the organisation issued a press release stating that the protest is the third of several demonstrations taking place this week at embassies around the globe.