Guest guest Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 Hi all, On the heels of reading Foer's Eating Animals, I'm feeling compelled to get involved in animal activism in some way (apart from being a vegan). I'm wondering if there are other folks on this list who participate in these types of activities, and if so, what activities are you doing and/or have you done? I've been doing some research on the topic and am a bit overwhelmed with all of the information out there. I'm particularly interstested in hearing from parents who have done this with small children to take care of as well - I'm a SAHM of a 2 year old, which can make getting anything substantial done quite fun Thanks! Erikka Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 5, 2010 Report Share Posted January 5, 2010 I look forward to reading your responses. On Mon, Jan 4, 2010 at 4:58 PM, Erikka Fogleman <edfoglemanwrote: > > > Hi all, > > On the heels of reading Foer's Eating Animals, I'm feeling compelled to get > involved in animal activism in some way (apart from being a vegan). > > I'm wondering if there are other folks on this list who participate in > these > types of activities, and if so, what activities are you doing and/or have > you done? I've been doing some research on the topic and am a bit > overwhelmed with all of the information out there. I'm particularly > interstested in hearing from parents who have done this with small children > to take care of as well - I'm a SAHM of a 2 year old, which can make > getting > anything substantial done quite fun > > Thanks! Erikka > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2010 Report Share Posted January 6, 2010 Erikka, That's the great thing about good books like that. Makes you really want others to know what's going on! I recently blogged about ways you can help animals for free, you can read it here: http://www.vegblogger.com/blog/2009/12/skip-monetary-donations-help-animals-for-\ free.html Everyone's level of activism or what they do with it varies. This is because some people are introverts and others are extroverts. Years ago I used to participate in protests (like protesting fur or circuses). But that wasn't my thing. I'm an introvert. So I backed away from that and did other things. I also used to carry " lobster liberation " stickers and put them on tanks in stores. I also had small typed up info sheets about the cruelty involved in meat and I would quietly lay them on the meat in the store! Today I write a lot of letters to the editor on animal-rights issues and they are almost always published. Just recently I've had a couple published supporting a ban on red snapper fishing in my area. I've had many published over the years on animal rights topics. And the editorial section of a newspaper is one of the most widely read. I have also written many letters to government officials. I also started a local vegetarian group for potlucks (although haven't had much luck finding others to participate). And I volunteered to work in the kids zone area of the last Veg Fest in Orlando. I helped with ideas for things for the kids to do and worked it a couple of hours. I get my kids involved in the potlucks and Veg Fest. You have to figure out what works for you. If you are into leafletting, holding talks, writing letters, protesting, etc. Kids can be involved in a lot of it. Although I didn't have kids at the time, there were kids who participated in protests. Depending on the child's age, you can get them involved in letter writing as well. Jacqueline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2010 Report Share Posted January 6, 2010 Hi Erikka, I used to do a lot of environmental activism but when my son was born it pettered off but also changed a bit. While im not 'hardcore' anymore i do make sure i have a sitter when i want to participate in actions where there is a chance of arrest. I still go to a lot of rallies, marches etc with my son though. As for animal rights activism, what about starting a parents against animal cruelty group? There are lots of ways kids can get involved (again ive only done environmental activism so im just going with ideas from that) such as having a cruelty free picnic. Have a spokes person, make sure there are media releases and try get the message out that way. I love the idea of making stickers and just wandering through the supermarket stickering the meat products. Letters are great too. We once had a walk on to a proposed coal loader site and evertyone attached letters to the fence, great photo op. Could do that at a cage egg farm etc. It only really is effective if you have media though. Banners and placards are always fun for kids to help with. Anyway best of luck, im also in your boat, hoping to reactivate myself more in animal rights activism. Ange On Wed, Jan 6, 2010 at 11:46 AM, Jacqueline Bodnar <jbwrote: > > > > Erikka, > > That's the great thing about good books like that. Makes you really want > others to know what's going on! > > I recently blogged about ways you can help animals for free, you can > read it here: > > http://www.vegblogger.com/blog/2009/12/skip-monetary-donations-help-animals-for-\ free.html > > Everyone's level of activism or what they do with it varies. This is > because some people are introverts and others are extroverts. Years ago > I used to participate in protests (like protesting fur or circuses). But > that wasn't my thing. I'm an introvert. So I backed away from that and > did other things. I also used to carry " lobster liberation " stickers and > put them on tanks in stores. I also had small typed up info sheets about > the cruelty involved in meat and I would quietly lay them on the meat in > the store! > > Today I write a lot of letters to the editor on animal-rights issues and > they are almost always published. Just recently I've had a couple > published supporting a ban on red snapper fishing in my area. I've had > many published over the years on animal rights topics. And the editorial > section of a newspaper is one of the most widely read. I have also > written many letters to government officials. > > I also started a local vegetarian group for potlucks (although haven't > had much luck finding others to participate). And I volunteered to work > in the kids zone area of the last Veg Fest in Orlando. I helped with > ideas for things for the kids to do and worked it a couple of hours. I > get my kids involved in the potlucks and Veg Fest. > > You have to figure out what works for you. If you are into leafletting, > holding talks, writing letters, protesting, etc. Kids can be involved in > a lot of it. Although I didn't have kids at the time, there were kids > who participated in protests. Depending on the child's age, you can get > them involved in letter writing as well. > > Jacqueline > > > -- " One person flying in an airplane for one hour is responsible for the same greenhouse gas emissions as a typical Bangladeshi in a whole year. " - Beatrice Schell, European Federation for Transport and Environment, November 2001. * The global livestock industry is responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than all the planes, trains and automobiles in the world combined Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2010 Report Share Posted January 7, 2010 Hi, I think it's fantastic that you're inspired to do more activism for animals! As a former wildlife advocate turned animal/ environmental lawyer, I have ideas on how you can help. I agree wholeheartedly with the parent who suggested getting involved in organized actions, or organizing your own, and leveraging the power of media. If you haven't already, I would join the activist teams of your favorite national groups -- Humane Society of the United States, PETA, Defenders of Wildlife, Animal Protection Institute, and/or ASPCA -- so that you get alerts about important legislative efforts, administrative hearings, and rallies. I would also connect with a statewide or local organization and ask to receive their activist alerts; you may also be able to alert them to local issue that you spot in your neighborhood and town or city. When I would organize campaigns as an advocate, I really relied on grassroots people coming to hearings to speak out for animals. Legislators and members of government bodies seem to be impressed by the folks who are not professional lobbyists and are speaking from their hearts. Also, organizations usually can't sue bad guys without individual plaintiffs -- so members are important in that regard. I also think Jacqueline's approach of writing letters to the editors and op-eds can be super-effective. Your chances of being published are dramatically increased if you are responding to a current news topic, so begin reading your local newspaper and consider subscribing to Karen Dawn's fantastic newsletter DawnWatch [http://www.dawnwatch.com/], which alerts activists to opportunities to express their views in the media. As a parent, you are also in a unique position to get involved in your child(ren)'s school and clubs. Something as simple as making delicious vegan baked goods for the bake sale, or providing a basket of cruelty-free products for the school auction, can make a difference. You can also meet with teachers and administrators to suggest pro-animal field trips, get more healthy veg options on the menu, eliminate eggs from battery-caged hens, educate about the circus or dissection, etc. -- the list is endless. Finally, don't discount your efforts to raise your kid(s) in a humane and life-affirming way. I consider the time I spend with my daughter explaining why we're vegan, or discussing the way animals are treated in books or film, to be part of my activism. Be sure to give yourself credit for helping to ensure the next generation is more sensitive to these issues than ours has been. Good luck!! Jessica vegbooks.wordpress.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2010 Report Share Posted January 7, 2010 Beautifully said, Jessica, and full of so much good advice. One thing that I have done a little of in the past and hope to do more of once it warms up here in Chicago is organize our group of vegan parents to join planned protests. We have a group called the Chicago Vegan Family Network, and just three families went to a foie gras protest a couple of years back, but having six children there was so impression. It was really a shot in the arm to the activists who were there, and it made the protest so much more meaningful and poignant. Further, it gave us a chance to talk with our children about these issues and empower them to take a stand. I definitely plan to piggyback onto other events. Another thing we did last summer was participate in the Worldwide Vegan Bakesale and raised almost $600 for our local shelter. I totally recommend doing this as well! Good luck, Marla > > Hi, > > > > I think it's fantastic that you're inspired to do more activism for animals! > As a former wildlife advocate turned animal/ environmental lawyer, I have > ideas on how you can help. > > I agree wholeheartedly with the parent who suggested getting involved in > organized actions, or organizing your own, and leveraging the power of media. > If you haven't already, I would join the activist teams of your favorite > national groups -- Humane Society of the United States, PETA, Defenders of > Wildlife, Animal Protection Institute, and/or ASPCA -- so that you get alerts > about important legislative efforts, administrative hearings, and rallies. I > would also connect with a statewide or local organization and ask to receive > their activist alerts; you may also be able to alert them to local issue that > you spot in your neighborhood and town or city. > > > > When I would organize campaigns as an advocate, I really relied on grassroots > people coming to hearings to speak out for animals. Legislators and members > of government bodies seem to be impressed by the folks who are not > professional lobbyists and are speaking from their hearts. Also, > organizations usually can't sue bad guys without individual plaintiffs -- so > members are important in that regard. > > > > I also think Jacqueline's approach of writing letters to the editors and > op-eds can be super-effective. Your chances of being published are > dramatically increased if you are responding to a current news topic, so begin > reading your local newspaper and consider subscribing to Karen Dawn's > fantastic newsletter DawnWatch [http://www.dawnwatch.com/], which alerts > activists to opportunities to express their views in the media. > > As a parent, you are also in a unique position to get involved in your > child(ren)'s school and clubs. Something as simple as making delicious vegan > baked goods for the bake sale, or providing a basket of cruelty-free products > for the school auction, can make a difference. You can also meet with > teachers and administrators to suggest pro-animal field trips, get more > healthy veg options on the menu, eliminate eggs from battery-caged hens, > educate about the circus or dissection, etc. -- the list is endless. > > > > Finally, don't discount your efforts to raise your kid(s) in a humane and > life-affirming way. I consider the time I spend with my daughter explaining > why we're vegan, or discussing the way animals are treated in books or film, > to be part of my activism. Be sure to give yourself credit for helping to > ensure the next generation is more sensitive to these issues than ours has > been. > > > > Good luck!! > > Jessica > > > > vegbooks.wordpress.com > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 8, 2010 Report Share Posted January 8, 2010 Thank you everyone for your great suggestions! This is exactly the type of information I was looking for. I've already signed up with some animal rights organizations as well as dawnwatch.com - I love what she does and I am definitely a letter writing sort of person too. Thanks again! I feel very inspired to get going. Best, Erikka On Thu, Jan 7, 2010 at 7:15 AM, Marla Rose <marla wrote: > > > Beautifully said, Jessica, and full of so much good advice. One thing that > I > have done a little of in the past and hope to do more of once it warms up > here in Chicago is organize our group of vegan parents to join planned > protests. We have a group called the Chicago Vegan Family Network, and just > three families went to a foie gras protest a couple of years back, but > having six children there was so impression. It was really a shot in the > arm > to the activists who were there, and it made the protest so much more > meaningful and poignant. Further, it gave us a chance to talk with our > children about these issues and empower them to take a stand. I definitely > plan to piggyback onto other events. > > Another thing we did last summer was participate in the Worldwide Vegan > Bakesale and raised almost $600 for our local shelter. I totally recommend > doing this as well! > > Good luck, > > Marla > > > > > > Hi, > > > > > > > > I think it's fantastic that you're inspired to do more activism for > animals! > > As a former wildlife advocate turned animal/ environmental lawyer, I have > > ideas on how you can help. > > > > I agree wholeheartedly with the parent who suggested getting involved in > > organized actions, or organizing your own, and leveraging the power of > media. > > If you haven't already, I would join the activist teams of your favorite > > national groups -- Humane Society of the United States, PETA, Defenders > of > > Wildlife, Animal Protection Institute, and/or ASPCA -- so that you get > alerts > > about important legislative efforts, administrative hearings, and > rallies. I > > would also connect with a statewide or local organization and ask to > receive > > their activist alerts; you may also be able to alert them to local issue > that > > you spot in your neighborhood and town or city. > > > > > > > > When I would organize campaigns as an advocate, I really relied on > grassroots > > people coming to hearings to speak out for animals. Legislators and > members > > of government bodies seem to be impressed by the folks who are not > > professional lobbyists and are speaking from their hearts. Also, > > organizations usually can't sue bad guys without individual plaintiffs -- > so > > members are important in that regard. > > > > > > > > I also think Jacqueline's approach of writing letters to the editors and > > op-eds can be super-effective. Your chances of being published are > > dramatically increased if you are responding to a current news topic, so > begin > > reading your local newspaper and consider subscribing to Karen Dawn's > > fantastic newsletter DawnWatch [http://www.dawnwatch.com/], which alerts > > activists to opportunities to express their views in the media. > > > > As a parent, you are also in a unique position to get involved in your > > child(ren)'s school and clubs. Something as simple as making delicious > vegan > > baked goods for the bake sale, or providing a basket of cruelty-free > products > > for the school auction, can make a difference. You can also meet with > > teachers and administrators to suggest pro-animal field trips, get more > > healthy veg options on the menu, eliminate eggs from battery-caged hens, > > educate about the circus or dissection, etc. -- the list is endless. > > > > > > > > Finally, don't discount your efforts to raise your kid(s) in a humane and > > life-affirming way. I consider the time I spend with my daughter > explaining > > why we're vegan, or discussing the way animals are treated in books or > film, > > to be part of my activism. Be sure to give yourself credit for helping to > > ensure the next generation is more sensitive to these issues than ours > has > > been. > > > > > > > > Good luck!! > > > > Jessica > > > > > > > > vegbooks.wordpress.com > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 10, 2010 Report Share Posted January 10, 2010 Good morning! I've never been to one, but plan to go to a Farm Sanctuary with my 2 1/2 year old son this spring. There are farm sanctuaries in California (where we live) and NY, and likely elsewhere. Check out www.farmsanctuary.org. Again, I've never been. But, from the website, it appears to be a great field trip opportunity for a family, small group, or large group. Hope this helps! Kim Single vegetarian (working on becoming vegan) lesbian mommy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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