Animal Writings

Just wanted to interrupt my series on advocacy to forward an announcement about two Washington, DC-area activism opportunities and talk a little about a strategy among animal protection groups that seems to be taking hold and about which I'm optimistic.

A message from activist Loren Hart of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, via Vegan Outreach, appeared on a metro DC list serve today, announcing two events at which Loren and other animal activists will be handing out "Why Vegan?" pamphlets:

• This is sort of a last-minute notice, but:
  
  
  The first event is the IMF / World Bank protest happening this Saturday (10/20). There will be a march from Franklin Square to Murrow Park from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Find out more at http://octoberrebellion.org


• Two days later, on a Monday, which I realize is inconvenient for many:
  
  
  The second opportunity is the No War, No Warming day of direct action on Monday (10/22). This is a unique event with a joint focus on both peace and environmental sustainability

As explained in the message, animal activists who participate in these events will be distributing literature, and:


I really like the portion I italicized.

I had the privilege of meeting Loren at the "Becoming the Change" festival earlier this month. I was impressed; he struck me as a dedicated and effective grassroots activist—principled yet pragmatic, idealistic yet realistic.

I like his (and others') strategy of building bridges with other social justice movements, and their respective movers and shakers. The movements, and their participants, already are concerned with rights, fairness, and exploitation; they just need to include nonhumans in their moral sphere. These other movements are already composed of activists willing to take a stand and attempt to reform society. The leaders, or notable spokespersons of the movements may be influential and charismatic, and serve as examples for many people. Imagine them embracing vegan and animal rights issues. I think there is much potential in these alliances.

Loren requests that if you are interested in participating in these and future cross-movement events, please contact him at lorenhart25 at hotmail.com.

Labels: activism, social justice movements