The Contagion of Slow Violence: The Slaughterhouse and COVID-19

COVID-19 has brought to the fore violence faced by slaughterhouse workers and those they are charged with slaughtering. This article argues that wrought an acceleration of slow state organized race crime (Nixon, Ward), in spreading rapidly through surrounding racialized communities. We show zoonotic pandemics result crime, abattoirs locations inseparable animal racial violence. then analyse how law institutions have positioned work as essential, contra workers’ claims general knowledge meat is inessential ‘item’. argue this demonstrates mechanics accelerates speed violence, while maintaining its insidious routine nature. consider #Boycottmeat movement which includes workers, whom despite having a vested interest industry, advocated for boycotts transition plant-based diets matter personal collective safety.