FARM ANIMAL ACTIVISTS TO HOLD VIGILS AT STATE CAPITOLS

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http://www.farmusa.org/wfad/wfad-nrvigil0.html

 

FOR RELEASE ON 9/18/00

 

CONTACT: Laurelee Blanchard, 808-575-7694

 

FARM ANIMAL ACTIVISTS TO HOLD VIGILS AT STATE CAPITOLS.

 

On October 2, animal activists will hold vigils and memorial services at

the national and all 50 state capitols.

 

The October 2 VIGIL for FARM ANIMALS

at the Massachusetts STATE CAPITAL in Boston

will be held around lunchtime, at 11 AM - 2 PM,

on Monday, October 2.

 

The occasion is the 18th annual observance of World Farm Animals Day.

It memorializes the suffering of ten billion innocent, sentient animals

raised for food and exposes the devastating health and environmental

impacts of animal agriculture.

 

The date of October 2 honors the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, foremost

champion of humane farming. This year's observance focuses on raising the

awareness of candidates for public office and their constituents to the

tragedy of farm animals. Thousands of questionnaires on treatment of farm

animals will be sent to candidates for national and local offices and the

results will be circulated widely.

 

The demonstrators will demand the following minimal reforms:

·Ban of veal crates (banned in England and soon to be banned in the

European Union)

·Ban of sow gestation stalls (banned in England)

·Ban of battery cages (banned in the European Union and soon to be banned

in Australia)

·Ban of forced molting of laying hens (banned by McDonald's)

·Enactment of Downed Animals Protection Act (to protect sick and injured

animals)

·Strict enforcement of Humane Methods of Slaughter Act (currently flouted

by USDA)

·Phasing out subsidies for large factory farms (30% of subsidies go to

largest 2%)

·Strict environmental pollution regulation of factory farms (Congressional

bill introduced)

·Strict control of antibiotics in factory farms (to reduce mortality from

infectious diseases)

·Choice of plant-based foods in the National School Lunch menus (to reduce

fat intake)

 

A number of studies have demonstrated that animals experience many of the

emotions that we do, including joy, affection, sadness, sorrow and pain.

Consequently, many people believe that, if we insist on eating animals, we

owe them at least decent treatment during their brief lives. A 1995 survey

by Opinion Research Group of Princeton showed that 93% of Americans oppose

farm animal suffering. A 1999 Peter Hart Research poll found that 85% of

Americans oppose raising farm animals in tight confinement. A 1999 poll by

Lake Snell Perry & Associates revealed that nearly half of all Americans

consider cruelty to animals a major concern about factory farms.

 

The worldwide observance of World Farm Animals Day is coordinated by FARM,

a national public interest organization in the nation’s capital. Individual

events are planned and implemented by local animal, consumer, and

environment protection groups.

" Elect for Farm Animals "

 

END

 

Locally in Boston:

Maynard S. Clark

617-571-4794

 

Animals are not decorations, entertainment, or food,

but persons to be respected, residents to be protected.