1) Check out Vegan Hacktivists, and apply as a volunteer! The animals' future depends on it. We rarely face such either/or predicaments, and when we do, even those of us who devote our lives to helping animals would generally choose to save the humans. And while I understand & applaud the sensible approach of working strategically to draw upon the values that many people already hold regarding the suffering of animals, since any way to lessen the suffering of sentient animals is important and should be fought for, at the same time, I think those of us who are serious about non-human animal liberation and justice should also keep pointing out that most people are hypocrites when it comes to what they say about their concern for animal suffering and what they do, given that it is really impossible to genuinely care about animal suffering and eat or wear animal flesh or by-products that are the result of industrialized farming methods. Advocates can also write letters to the editor of their local newspapers to garner more support for the effort. . Let's get COWSPIRACY: THE SUSTAINABILTY SECRET on CNN and demand a response from those who would lead us. more than 7 years ago, This article seems particularly topical as we read about the battles the makers of vegan Just Mayo have had with the egg board. more than 7 years ago. Lets embrace our common ground with regard to the most egregious animal abuse, and work as an organized force to shake that comfort. Josh Garrett MSNBC recently aired the documentary Blood Lions, about lions being bred in South Africa for the purpose of being shot by people, mostly Americans, who dont want to bother with a chase. As one who works in farm animal rescue, I've seen horrendous conditions on farms of all caliber and levels. Some have even pushed through laws that turn misdemeanors, such as vandalism and trespassing, into felonies if they are committed against animal enterprises such as factory farms, puppy mills, or animal testing laboratories. Not only do our legislators and laws not help animals, by subsidizing the meat and dairy industries the government actively harms animals, as only the cruelty of mass production can supply the artificial demand. They have campaigned for promoting a lifestyle where animals won't be mistreated. Call the legislators office and schedule an appointment. Thanks for this piece and while I agree with much of it, I'm on the fence about supporting campaigns that advocate for ending things like gestation crates and caged egg-laying hens. Democrats are less likely to be hostile to animal issues than Republicans (though there are exceptions on both sides), but outright hostility is no worse for animals than apathy. [2], A distinction persists within the movementbased on the utilitarian/deontological dividebetween those who seek incremental reform, a position known as animal protectionism, and those on the abolitionist side, who argue that reform that aims to regulate, rather than abolish, the property status of animals is counterproductive. Its time for the animals to have a lobby that is willing to fight back hard, Jana Gibson x
Eric Mills, coordinator
ACTION FOR ANIMALS - Oakland. "Dowding, Lady Muriel," in Marc Bekoff (ed.). Thank you to The Progressive for publishing this article by Karen Dawn. You cannot get popular support without the street activists, like me, raising the public morality and so they will start demanding laws. That appears to hold true wherever animals are used by human society. Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, Congressman Brad Sherman received the Humane Champion Award from the Humane Society of the United States. The animal rights movement and the philosophy of animal rights acknowledge an animal's . Their funds and efforts focus on changing laws to suit their beliefs. As I live in Los Angeles, I was hardly shocked by that glimpse into California priorities: Celebrities must be protected from cameras but elephants cannot be saved from bullhooks. Iowa is the nations number one pork-producing state and, importantly to Christie, the home of the first caucus. Most interestingly, however, we found that attitudes about LGBT rights, universal health care, welfare for the poor, improving conditions of African Americans, and supporting birthright citizenship for U.S.-born children of undocumented immigrants were strongly associated with views about animal rights. Theres even an old joke about the issue: How many baby monkeys do you have to take from their mothers to prove that maternal deprivation is harmful? The answer: As many as the NIH will pay for.. Total Liberation: The Power and Promise of Animal Rights and the Radical Earth Movement, David Naguib Pellow, University of Minnesota Press 2014. David Balmer, Political Director at the Humane Society Legislative Fund, and former member of Colorado State Senate, resigned to become the political director of state campaigns for the Humane Society . Karen Dawn is one of the most eloquent & best writers of animal rights/welfare issues. Donald Trump is unlikely to roll out an impressive animal welfare platform as he defends his sons recent African safari killing spree, so voting for animal protection will not mean voting for him or anybody similar. Julija Nj. THLN lobbies and participates in partisan activities, allowing the group to influence legislation in support of its animal rights agenda." . The Bible has no place for tyrannical anthropocentrism. We should be grateful to Karen Dawn for her work and to The Progressive for printing such an educational and inspiring piece. Linzey, Andrew. more than 7 years ago. However, together we can instigate change for animals with "strategic activism so our legislators will not only listen but instill change. Robert Bakewell Who supports animal rights? Through the Animal Bill of Rights, the Animal Legal Defense Fund is working to show Congress a groundswell of support for legislation that protects animals and recognizes that, like all sentient beings, animals are entitled to basic legal rights in our society. So each sow spends virtually her entire life in one form of crate or another, with as much room to move as a pair of loafers in a shoebox. 2022. To consider a ban on gestation crates a victory is to come from a very low baseline that includes use. It's up to US, the voters, to DEMAND more from politicians. Rather, they sought to secure for previously marginalized and excluded groups the same rights that others were already enjoying. By sending letters and emails supporting pro-animal measures that are on the legislative agenda, you can help convince these politicians that the voters who put them in office want to see animals protected from cruelty and neglect. Stewart This is very well written, and makes some excellent points. The country with the largest number and highest percentage of vegetarians is India. And she has appealed to European politicians to pass legislation that would improve living conditions for the millions of . Scully, who has is also an avid. Lisa Qualls The Dog Shogun: The Personality and Policies of Tokugawa Tsunayoshi. While animal rights advocates assert that the protection of animals is a natural next step in the expanding circle of human rights, others view animal rights as a sentimental cause for animal lovers. So happy to see attention going to this subject. As the late Molly Ivins wryly noted, "All anyone needs to enjoy the state legislature is a strong stomach and a complete insensitivity to the needs of the people." Antispeciesist politics would go beyond animal rights There are reasons to defend the idea that political communities should enforce the protection of nonhuman animals in ways that go beyond mere concern for the minimization of the harms they suffer while they are being used as resources. Civil Rights protesters had dumped the pigs in protest against Kenyan Members of Parliament who had just passed a bill pertaining to their salary increase. Sztybel, David. Thank you for placing this article by Karen Dawn in your newest publication. Beverlee McGrath And if it's a Republican, you can likely kiss goodbye Roe v. Wade and the Endangered Species Act, inter al. The Animal Legal Defense Fund is rated four-stars by Charity Navigator, is a Platinum Level GuideStar Exchange participant, a Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity, and an Independent Charity Seal of Excellence awardee, ensuring that we meet the highest standards of accountability, efficiency, and impact. It does seem to me that the human race is approaching a crossroads with one path leading to kinder practices, healthier diets, and a less polluted world while the other path leads to what I call "the dark side". On factory farms across America, female pigs, animals known to be more intelligent than dogs, are kept in individual crates so small that they cannot turn around, or even lie down with their limbs outstretched. The ARWs (Animal Rights Wackos) conveniently ignore the fact that, since 1937 via the Pittman-Robertson Act (which sportsman called for and supported), an 11 percent excise tax has been placed on the sale of all firearms and ammunition, with the money earmarked specifically for wildlife habitat enhancement. "Butchers' Knives into Pruning Hooks: Civil Disobedience for Animals," in Peter Singer (ed.). Providing clean air and water, holding polluters accountable, and supporting land conservation efforts are vital to protecting animals and their habitats. Foreword in Mann, Keith. "How Austria Achieved a Historic Breakthrough for Animals," in Peter Singer (ed). In June, Canada passed a new law many are calling the "Free Willy" bill, making it illegal to keep whales and dolphins in captivity. Walker, Alice. As animal advocate, Christopher Soul Eubanks wrote in March 2021, "To Black people and non-vegans of all races, the animal rights movement can appear as an affluent far-left group who ignore the systemic oppression they have benefited from while using that affluence to advocate for nonhumans." I'm inspired to do what's necessary to change the laws. They expose the cruelty to animals and seek justice for them. The biggest shifts in human rights laws and treaties over the last 200 years have come less from an expansion in the number of different rights to which humans are entitled than from the expansion in the categories of humans considered worthy of enjoying those rights. It is long overdue. Some of the animals had been sprayed with graffiti of Parliamentarian names. Sunstein, Cass R. "Introduction: What are Animal Rights?," in Sunstein, Cass R. and Nussbaum, Martha (ed.). 2014-. "Ren Descartes," "Distinguishing Animal Rights from Animal Welfare," and "Jainism" in Marc Bekoff (ed.). Be aware, too, that the next President could very well be appointing three or four new members to the U.S. Supreme Court, which already leans to the right. Women remain more likely to. I prefer to work to raise the conscience of the public. They work towards stopping cruelty against animals. The cities of Los Angeles and Oakland have both passed laws banning the use of bullhooks. more than 7 years ago. The Economist declared 2019 the year of the vegan. Demand for meatless burgers at major fast food chains has grown so fast that producers have been unable to keep up. is gaining momentum, as it should. In the field of entertainment, the public is starting to understand the cruelty involved in holding wild animals captive and training them to do tricks for our amusement. Democrats in both the House and the Senate scored higher than Republicans, with seven Democratic senators getting a 100+ rating and 22 congressmen getting the same high marks. "Moving Toward Coexistence: An Interview with Alice Walker,". Only then will we see animal cruelty laws that reflect our values as a society. Bardot later turned to animal rights activism. New York: Manchester . Wolf, Ursula. (The 100+ rating indicates those members of Congress who were the prime sponsors of pro-animal legislation that became law.) Canada is widely considered to be a progressive, civilized country with plenty of laws on the books to protect its citizens from various . Animal rights activists believe that animals should be treated with respect and have more rights than they currently do. Appoint one person to be the main spokesperson. Animal Aid. 53% of democrats view animal testing as morally acceptable. Democrats are less likely to be hostile to animal issues than Republicans (though there are exceptions on both sides), but outright hostility is no worse for animals than apathy. Time is running out for our beautiful African wildlife. Many politicians accept lobbyist money to propose bills that are not in the best interest of our country. Zephaniah, Benjamin. It's not just opposition to wanton killing of wildlife; it's not just opposition to killing magnificent individuals of a species (Cecil, biggest buck, etc.) Though the outcome announced today was favorable, it was disgusting to see our government get in there and fight dirty on behalf of the egg lobby. Of course killing animals for sport is abominable But, sadly the funding for conservation of game animals and their habitat is sometimes dependent on selling hunting liscenses for the privilege of murdering same such as lions. Lifelong vegetarian, vegan since 1994, advocate for animal rights, devoted animal lover, bassist and founding member of the rock band, Doctor of veterinary medicine, founder of Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights, Singer-songwriter, first rock star of the Middle East, United Nations delegate, animal rights activist, animal welfare supporter, Actor, businessman, animal rights activist, Primatologist, conservationist, advocate for mountain gorillas, Primate researcher known for his work with, Distinguished Professor of Law and Nicholas deB. Be strategic in your campaigns. The abolition of slavery, decolonization, womens suffrage, and the civil rights, disability rights, and the LGBTQ rights movements were not efforts to generate entirely new sets of rights. That is certainly not reflected in our state legislatures. Most, if not all, Presidential wannabes focus on fossil fuels or sustainable energy, completely ignoring the even more devastating impact of factory farming on our planet. more than 7 years ago. Rollin, Bernard E. "Ethics, animal welfare and ACUCs," in John P. Gluck, Tony DiPasquale, F. Barbara Orlans. Idaho is pulling ahead in a race to the bottom for how states treat wolves. Billions of animals are used worldwide by humans for food, scientific experimentation, sport, entertainment, and to create products like clothing, glue, makeup, and skincare. Vegans cant expect a vegan world while most people are yet to be convinced that one is desirable. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. The official companion handbook to the Live Earth Concerts noted that refusing meat is the single most effective thing you can do to reduce your carbon footprint. This is proven by countless studies, including the U.N. report revealing that the meat industry produces more greenhouse gasses than all the SUVs, cars, trucks, planes and ships in the world combined. Six-in-ten men favor the use of animal research. A vegan life can solve all of these challenges. To be an effective advocate, or lobbyist, you need to lay the proper groundwork. A bill that would have banned their use throughout California flew through both the state senate and assembly. PETA is an international nonprofit charitable organization based in Norfolk, Virginia, with entities worldwide. Thank you, Karen Dawn, for opening many more eyes to this issue. States that afforded stronger protections for LGBT rights and enacted more extensive hate-crime statutes tended to have significantly more animal-friendly laws. Named Euro Animal 7 from 2014 to 2019. Because not all proposed legislation becomes law, lawmakers also were rated based on their co-sponsorship of bills. - A California non-profit, Paw PAC (co-founded by the late and inimitable VIRGINIA HANDLEY in 1980), for 35 years has published an annual Legislative Voting Chart. The Nonhuman Rights Project is leading the fight to secure actual legal rights for nonhuman animals . One small correction should be made , African Lions are listed as "threatened" not endangered. As Ms Dawn makes clear, it is now up to animal lovers to learn better methods of persuasion to bring animal protection laws and enforcement in alignment with twenty-first century values. Here are some of the biggest animal rights issues in the world. To measure state-level animal welfare laws, we used the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) Humane State Ranking scores. Dont miss reporting and analysis from the Hill and the White House. more than 7 years ago. As we encourage the public to explicitly condemn abuses of animals that we know it does not condone, animal advocates need to recognize that we are sometimes our own worst enemies. Advocates of animal rights support the philosophy of animal rights.They believe that many or all sentient animals have moral worth that is independent of their utility for humans, and that their most basic interestssuch as in avoiding sufferingshould be afforded the same consideration as similar interests of human beings. Katzenbach Scholar of Law & Philosophy at, Primatologist, conservationist, expert on orangutans, Stand-up comedian, actor, director, producer and writer, Founder of the Israeli Animal Liberation Front. Spira, Henry and Singer, Peter. Obtain endorsements from influential individuals and organizations in your community. Animal rights groups are political organizations. I think the common ground we should focus on is CLIMATE CHANGE, with animal protection a close second. Brigitte Bardot (1934 - ) French Actress, singer and fashion model. more than 7 years ago. There may even be a tendency among progressives to view animal advocacy as elitista nice hobby for those who are out of touch with human suffering, seen as being of greater importance. To this end, activists spend their time attempting to help provide rights and respect to animals. Animal Protection Laws Rankings Report (2022) ranks the animal protection laws of all 50 states. Get a feel for the legislative process. Press Officer Robin Webb", "Gretchen Wyler: In Memorial to an Actress Who Wasn't Pretending About Her Love of Animals", "Bullies, Ads, and Being Vegan. Glmark, Lisa (2000). This article was published more than3 years ago. A gallup poll from 2016 shows that on average. Ellen Ervin Stay informed and get involved politics is not a spectator sport! Uploaded to YouTube and Facebook the next day, the segment was forwarded so widely it received nearly sixteen million views. 28% of Democrats find it morally acceptable to clone animals. Please check out Clifton Roberts- Humane Party Presidential Candidate for 2016. cliftonroberts.org and humaneparty.org We are an ethics based political party in which animal rights is part of our platform. Janet Weeks While you may feel most comfortable attending the appointment as part of a group, it is advisable to go alone or with just a few others. Kean, Hilda. Lori Woods Some resent that many people seem to care more about the suffering of animals than their fellow humans. This is why Trump's new Commission on Unalienable Rights is likely to upset the human rights community. That kind of exploratory work on fellow primates offends most peoples sense of common decency, but it will proceed nevertheless, and will be government funded. You can give animals that voice! Even the electric car company Tesla has begun offering a vegan version of its vehicles, with synthetic leather seats and trim. I have worked for legislation, but one big obstacle is that a politician is not going to vote for something that does not have popular support. Elsje Parsons Massyn That seems to reveal the problem. Lynn O'Toole The use of the pig in the protest was symbolic of the inferred political leadership greed. Cavalieri, Paola and Singer, Peter (eds). Buddhism unreservedly embraces all living beings in its ethical cosmology without discrimination on grounds of species, race, or creed. Recognizing that (1) humane treatment of animals is a human value that can only be fulfilled when nonhuman animals have basic legal & constitutional rights starting with personal and ecological sovereignty, (2) inhumane treatment of animals causes and exacerbates the big problems besetting human beings today, (3) the industry-government-media I hope it is widely read and a call to action. The Humane Scorecard also gave lawmakers credit for trying to boost funding for the enforcement of animal-welfare laws. Hope to see many more such articles. [1], The animal rights movement emerged in the 19th century, focused largely on opposition to vivisection, and in the 1960s the modern movement sprang up in England around the Hunt Saboteurs Association. Since there is general agreement that animal rights . We also offer advocacy training and support for citizens who wish to engage in grassroots lobbying. In the same week, Brown signed a bill that changes the definition of a physical invasion of privacy to include sending a drone into the airspace above someones land in order to make a recording or take a photo. The word lobbying may have some negative connotations but its good and important to let lawmakers know that you care about laws affecting animals, that you want better animal protection laws. It's time for a big change in the way we treat the sentient beings who share our world. Violence is violence, whether inflicted on a human or non-human animal. Contact USFWS Director Dan Ashe and express your opinion re: this very important issue. The vote margin was 53 to 13 in the assembly and 32 to 1 in the senate. With so many issues in the world, it can be hard to stay abreast of all the important ones. Of course the insane abuse rendered in the amusement arena, and the totally unnecessary, insane, sadistic, laboratory experiments and the like, the vile use of Animal body parts in all commodities, must follow, with the recreation of our sanity, based on a foundation of a sane food policy. We HAVE to ban puppy mills, all forms of animal fighting, unnecessary experimentation and testing on animals, and establish programs for feral cats for a start. And if there are no pro-animal items on the agenda, you can help change that, too. Establish rapport with legislators support staff early on they are often more accessible than the legislators and can provide good information. Animal Justice Party of Finland. Here are some tips to consider, before approaching an elected official to advocate for specific legislation: Once you have laid the groundwork, you must determine your goals: Lobbying is nearly impossible without personal contact. In every one of those 35 years there would be 25-30 legislators earning an "A" grade--all Democrats. It is largely the strength of lobbies and the money they provide to our politicians to keep the status quo that keeps animals enslaved. However, it's up to the public to voice those concerns and let their representatives know what's important to them. for the "thrill of the kill" or for a trophy head wall mount; it's not just exponentially increasing opposition to killing any other animals such as livestock for food when plant-based food can and do sustain life; and it's not just in the United States, but rather it's global: People are seeing animals as other sentient beings who occupy the earth and deserve to be treated as such--not treated inhumanely and ruthlessly killed unnecessarily for food. Strive to be well informed about the issue so that you come across as credible and knowledgeable. ", Ms. magazine, July 1986. I saw pictures of activists holding up photos of pigs in gestation crates and was pleased that Christie was getting pressure for having flouted the will of his constituents, by vetoing the gestation crate bill. more than 7 years ago. Steven Wise, the lead attorney, argued that Happy is a legal person, entitled to bodily liberty. Only six Republicans rated 100: Christopher Shays (Conn.), Roscoe Bartlett (Md. Legislators have reputations for ignoring the will of their constituents in favor of doing the bidding of powerful special interest groups that line their pockets. Be prepared to consider compromises that may need to be made when working with politicians. On more than a thousand ranches across the United States, people can pay for guaranteed kills of wild and sometimes exotic animals held captive behind fences. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. The following is a list of impactful animal rights advocates from all positions within the movement, from academics to activists. To her admirers, she's a selfless saviour of innocent animals", "Politicizing Activist Discontent A Social History of "Vegephobia" in the French Animal Rights Movement", "A World Without Suffering ~ An Interview with David Pearce", "Joaquin Phoenix to Be Honored at San Diego Film Festival", "River Phoenix Ranks Acting Below Animal Rights and Music", "Pink Calls Prince William 'Redneck' After Fox Hunting Letter", "Animal rights protesters at NBA games rely on privilege - The Washington Post", "Young and Motivated: Creating an Army of Advocates", "Beyond the Law: Agribusiness and the Systemic Abuse of Animals Raised for Food or Food Production", "Morals, Reason, and Animals: Steve Sapontzis interviewed by Claudette Vaughan", "Jerme Segal: "Aujourd'hui, l'immense majorit des militants antispcistes sont non-violents", "Animal Pragmatism; Compassion Over Killing Wants to Make the Anti- Meat Message a Little More Palatable", "Interview with Paul Shapiro, of The Humane Society of the United States", "Meet Rakesh Shukla: From a techie to being Bengaluru's dog rescuer", "Ashoka Fellowship profile of Willie Smits", "Testing the Line: As Animal Rights Activists Push Legal Boundaries, Canada Considers What Makes a Terrorist", "The Animal Activism of Henry Spira (19271998)", "The Rights of Animals: A Very Short Primer", "Beasts of Burden: Disability Studies and Animal Rights", Animal rights activist accused of attacks in five American states, "Calamity Jane: Q&A with Jane Velez-Mitchell", "Interview with Donald Watson Vegan Founder", "Staying on Target and Going the Distance: An Interview with U.K. A.L.F.
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