Shameway - new banner + picture time (Say Sleaze!)

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends,

 

Most of you are already aware that the Food & Social Justice Project has

kicked off weekly leafleting protests to voice local support for the Safeway

boycott launched by PETA last month, and to express our great dismay at

Safeway's reluctance to enact strong animal welfare guidelines as suggested

by PETA (please check out: http://www.shameway.com). Presently, the hens

that produce Safeway Select eggs are kept in such cramped conditions that

they cannot even spread one wing and there is not enough floor space that

all of the hens can stand on the wire mesh at the same time - they literally

live on top of each other. Baby chicks have their beaks seared off to

accommodate the cruelties of factory farming. Pregnant sows are kept in such

small cages that they cannot even turn around. And, Safeway refuses to

perform unannounced checks of the slaughterhouses from where it purchases

its meat (as a result, animals are routinely skinned and dismembered while

they are still fully conscious). An undercover investigation at Seaboard pig

facility in Oklahoma - an operation from which Safeway purchases pig flesh -

uncovered incredibly disturbing egregious cruelty (you can see the video at

http://www.goveg.com). Shockingly, Safeway was not moved by the findings of

the investigation, nor have company officials negotiated in good faith with

PETA's representatives. It's time to put on the pressure!

 

Every Sunday, from 4 pm until 6 pm, we shall be gathering at the Safeway

grocery store at the corner of Market & Church in San Francisco (in the

heart of the Castro) to peacefully (and lawfully) leaflet passersby and

Safeway customers. Most customers are very receptive to the message and are

shocked to hear about the truly egregious animal abuse in which Safeway has

been complicit. We have just made a very beautiful 3'x8' vinyl banner which

we will hold for display at the corner of Church & Market to increase our

visibility. And, we have plenty of attractive color flyers (with no shocking

images that may turn people off - these are really *nice*) to distribute.

 

Sadly, I will be out of town for the next three weekends (conference in L.A.

this weekend, and work in Philly the following two weekends), but three

fabulous activists have stepped in to take responsibility for the leafleting

protests. This Sunday (March 10), Adam Posey (who worked at Farm Sanctuary

at the shelter in NY, and interned with PETA) will be hosting the protest

(thanks, Adam!). Next Sunday (March 17), Nora Kramer (who recently interned

at Farm Sanctuary and PETA) will be hosting (thanks, Nora!). And, the

following Sunday (March 24), Nancy Loewen (who has volunteered extensively

with the San Francisco Veg Society, as well as the Center for Informed Food

Choices) will be on hand to keep it all together (thanks, Nancy!).

 

People generally go to grab an inexpensive bite to eat after the leafleting

protests, so the event is a nice combination of effective activism and

socializing. Will miss seeing everyone the next few weeks, but look forward

to seeing you on March 31st (when we'll be taking photographs for PETA's

" Animal Times " - they want a picture of our beautiful banner, and the

glorious people who come to speak out for the animals).

 

Thanks SO much!

 

Best,

Alka