more than 7 years ago. Brophy, Brigid. Dont miss anything! Let's make CLIMATE CHANGE the political issue of 2016. Expanding access to pet-friendly housing and creating co-sheltering opportunities for unhoused people and pets. x
Eric Mills, coordinator
ACTION FOR ANIMALS - Oakland. It has been proposed that the United Nations (UN) pass the first resolution recognizing animal rights, the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare, which acknowledges the importance of the sentience of animals and human responsibilities towards them. This advocacy toolkit will walk you through the basics of how to lobby for pro-animal legislation. Thanks to the vigilance of activists in publicizing the proposed study, there was much public outcry and the particularly archaic maternal deprivation factor was removed. Find out if there is anyone else in your area working on the same issue if so, you may wish to join them, so that efforts will not be duplicated. It's high time that animal head-hunters power to shoot and kill which ever way they like (because the laws protect them) be cut off at the knees so that shameful oversights like the "Cecil-Lion" shooting and other like issues not be repeated again. Most of us support humane organizations. Can we please be real about this? Anybody who has taken Psychology 101 knows that the results have been in for half a century. To be sure, the definition of what it means to be human and to which rights human beings are entitled is constantly evolving and remains contested as reactions to the Trump administrations new Commission on Unalienable Rights have made clear. On the issue of gestation crates, animal advocates have common ground with the vast majority of the public. Brilliant, well-reasoned article. Maria Lauret, "Alice Walker's Life and Work: The Essays" in Harold Bloom. Spira, Henry and Singer, Peter. A service animal is not a pet. 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. The circle of those entitled to basic rights keeps expanding. High-end fashion houses like Gucci and Calvin Klein are now completely fur-free. In 1822, Richard Martin, known as "Humanity Dick", passed Martin's Act aimed at preventing cruelty towards cattle. in Sunstein, Cass R. and Nussbaum, Martha. Biden nominates Torres Small for deputy agriculture secretary, Bipartisan group reintroduces cattle market reform bill. 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. Be prepared to consider compromises that may need to be made when working with politicians. Buddhism unreservedly embraces all living beings in its ethical cosmology without discrimination on grounds of species, race, or creed. Sign-up for our free weekly e-mail newsletter. But what about animals? Television meteorologist, animal advocate. more than 7 years ago. Animal Legal Defense Fund,National Headquarters Stewart Strive to be well informed about the issue so that you come across as credible and knowledgeable. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. It is just plain common sense that if you truly believe in justice, you cannot treat animals unjustly simply because they are unable to defend themselves and because they are different. The Non-Human Rights Project - The Nonhuman Rights Project is the only civil rights organization in the United States working through litigation, legislation, and education to secure legally recognized fundamental rights for nonhuman animals. Common sense and critical thinking render the same conclusion. It is CRITICAL that animal people get involved in the political process, dismal though it often is. more than 7 years ago. At one end of the continuum is the animal rights mindset, which is the belief that animals have rights like humans and should not be used in any way. New York: Manchester . The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) defines service animals as "dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.". Walker, Alice. As a vegan animal rights activist, I am personally sympathetic to that message, but I know that my personal sympathies do not help animalsstrategic activism does. Finsen, Susan and Finsen, Lawrence. View Website View Lawyer Profile Email Lawyer. [citation needed] They have campaigned for promoting a lifestyle where animals won't be mistreated. [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. Karen has expressed beautifully, that which so many of us that work in the animal protection community think and feel re the neglect, cruelty, and misuse of animals. True humane organizations concentrate on preventing animal suffering and abuse. Thank you for covering this topic with this thought provoking article. Number 8860726. Thank you!! Emotional Support Animal Laws by State Each state has its own rules and regulations pertaining to emotional support animals. These will be repositories of useful information, but will also help show lawmakers that members of the community are engaged on your issue. 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. more than 7 years ago. 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. Many animal rights advocates argue that non-human animals should be regarded as persons whose interests deserve legal protection. 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. "A Real Live Wire; Enjoying a Long Run On HBO, Bill Maher Could Go On Zinging,". Kathryn Dalenberg Jonathan L. Willis Esq. PETA is an international nonprofit charitable organization based in Norfolk, Virginia, with entities worldwide. But the bill did not become law; Governor Chris Christie vetoed it. Vegans cant expect a vegan world while most people are yet to be convinced that one is desirable. Americans' attitudes toward the use of animals exist on a continuum of acceptability, and understanding this continuum is essential to being able to communicate about hunting effectively. Rather, they sought to secure for previously marginalized and excluded groups the same rights that others were already enjoying. 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. While liberals see the commission as a threat to reproductive and LGBT rights, conservatives see it as a means to promote fetal rights and protect religious liberty. Trees Party. However, it's up to the public to voice those concerns and let their representatives know what's important to them. September 20, 2020, 10:00 pm A proposal backed by a congressman from the Sunshine State to crack down on animal cruelty is building traction on Capitol Hill U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., is one of the top backers of U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse's, D-Col., " Animal Cruelty Enforcement (ACE) Act ." ), now the Vice President of the United States; Barbara Boxer (Calif.), Diane Feinstein (Calif.), John Kerry (Mass.) Iowa is the nations number one pork-producing state and, importantly to Christie, the home of the first caucus. Alexandra Bechter [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. Biden and Harris have established themselves as good faith actors in sponsoring and supporting animal protection legislation and policies through the years, and it's easy to endorse . Today, the Humane Society Legislative Fund endorses Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Kamala Harris in their bid to lead the nation. It has been a good year for animals at least for nonhuman ones. Foreword in Mann, Keith. Since there is general agreement that animal rights . 525 East Cotati Avenue,Cotati, CA 94931 Served two years in federal prison for liberating 5,740 mink from U.S fur farms. Any money that you spend will help to keep those industries turning over and perpetuating the torture of animals. more than 7 years ago. Only THREE noted concerns about environmental issues, and NONE mentioned animal welfare or rights. PARIS (AP) French animal rights activists on Wednesday protested what they say are broad exceptions in legislation that was meant to ban the practice of killing unwanted male chicks after they hatch. And 25-30 legislators earning an "F" grade--nearly all Republicans. Even the electric car company Tesla has begun offering a vegan version of its vehicles, with synthetic leather seats and trim. Toward this end, The Progressive is to be lauded for publishing this level-headed article on a topic so many feel so passionately about. Brigitte Bardot (1934 - ) French Actress, singer and fashion model. I've read that the pro-animal constituency is the largest in the country. 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. In other words, people who supported an expansive conception of human rights and welfare were also more likely to support animal rights. In 2008, a ballot initiative taken to the people of California to ban the crating of sows and similarly cruel confinement for calves and hens passed with 64 percent of the vote, despite intense lobbying by the farm industry and a multimillion dollar campaign against it. 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." Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole of Kansas often supports animal rights causes except, of course, those pertaining to cattle, a major business in Kansas. THLN lobbies and participates in partisan activities, allowing the group to influence legislation in support of its animal rights agenda." . Groups like PETA and The Humane Society Of The United States fight to take care of animals as best as they can, but there's always room for more to be done. 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. By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block. Ball, Matt. and Carl Levin (Mich.) Ten other Democrats rated a score of 100, while only two Republicans in the Senate earned a 100 rating: Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, both of Maine. Last year, a bill to ban gestation crates passed the New Jersey legislature with extraordinary bipartisan support. Ask constituents to write polite letters to their legislators that demonstrate support for the proposed legislation. PETA seeks "total animal liberation," according to its president and co-founder, Ingrid Newkirk. 33 Powerful Animal Advertisement Examples That Tells The Uncomfortable Truth. 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. The fact that the Animal foods industry, is factually responsible for more Earthly decimation, pollution, degradation, far and away than any other endeavor; that research shows that it as well creates human starvation, that being hundreds of millions of people, a billion, no less; that no family does not know heart disease, cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, auto immune, neuromuscular disease, with the eating of foods derived from Animals, again, being the #1 cause of ALL these maladies, makes the prohibition of " Animal agriculture ", a priority of unprecedented proportion. Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, Congressman Brad Sherman received the Humane Champion Award from the Humane Society of the United States. "The Rights on Animals," in. Animal welfare advocates need to heed the message of this essay carefully. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has been described as "by far the most successful radical organization in America.". Finances Related People Donations. I to believe that we as animal activists must organization and become a strong political force. Be strategic in your campaigns. Glmark, Lisa (2000). The country with the largest number and highest percentage of vegetarians is India. For privacy policy and ad & cookie policy information, visit our Privacy Policy pages. Hilary Spreiter She is also a spokesperson for conservation and animal welfare. The scorecard also outlines the Humane Societys goals for the 111th Congress, including: The Humane Society of the United States has published its “Humane Scorecard,” a booklet that indicates how politicians stand on “animal-rights” issues. The more effective message was that Christie defied the will of his constituents in order to pursue his political ambition with out-of-state early primary voters. Though the movement gained popularity in the 1980s and 1990s, it is still not clearly defined or widely accepted. more than 7 years ago, "We cannot have peace among men whose hearts delight in killing any living creature. "Butchers' Knives into Pruning Hooks: Civil Disobedience for Animals," in Peter Singer (ed.). Josh Garrett Sign up to get TMCs smart analysis in your inbox, three days a week. Senate Democrats on the 100+ list include Joe Biden (Del. Thank you for placing this article by Karen Dawn in your newest publication. I've often wondered how something like the killing of Cecil the Lion can go viral on the internet and obviously anger and upset so many millions of people around the world and yet our own legislators remain completely apathetic about protecting animals from systemic industrialized animal abuse. As in our individual analyses, we found very strong evidence for a connection between animal rights and human rights at the state level. While I understand that the drone law doesnt technically create a whole new crime, and we can all appreciate attempts to simplify the criminal code, it is frustrating to see that the addition of one more item to that code was deemed to matter more than animal cruelty. 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. An excellent article that clearly reveals the many ways we need to change. Ensuring that students can choose humane alternatives to animal dissection. Though most people are somewhat aware that these cruelties exist, they choose selective compassion and/or deny the existence of the astronomical amount of suffering that is inflicted upon animals in the name of the aforementioned. As a matter of fact, some of the chicken rescues I've been involved with from "free-range, pasture-based" farms have produced some of the worst cases of animal abuse and neglect I've seen. 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. 28% of Democrats find it morally acceptable to clone animals. ", Ms. magazine, July 1986. 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." For example, in response to the outcry over Cecil, The New York Times published a rebuke from a U.S. doctoral student from Zimbabwe. ~ Dr. Roger Yates", Animal Friendly Cultural Heritage and royal decrees in the legal history of Sri Lanka, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_animal_rights_advocates&oldid=1139001134, Founder of the Fund for Animals, president of the, Founder of Gut Aiderbichl, an animal sanctuary, Co-founder and President of One Step for Animals, Senior Media Relations Specialist for, Former actress, animal rights activist, founder of the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, Professor Emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder, co-founder with, Philosopher, author of the oft-quoted "The question is not, Can they, Writer, author of article, "The Rights of Animals", in. "Dowding, Lady Muriel," in Marc Bekoff (ed.). more than 7 years ago. 1. Always follow up with a personal thank you to the legislator and support staff after every visit or positive action taken by the legislator. 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. These traits include political ideology, wealth, religious beliefs, and gender. 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. I prefer to work to raise the conscience of the public. The influence of well funded Animal Rights (AR) lobbyists becomes more apparent with each bill introduced by career politicians including Tx Gov. Establish rapport with legislators support staff early on they are often more accessible than the legislators and can provide good information. Vanishing animals don't have time to waste. Her emphatic but also realistic views on animal protection and rights are well written without condemning or aggressively attacking those not (yet?) And, yes, animal advocates vote just like everyone else; that's a good reminder to those in office (or seeking one). Kathy Hochul and all the governors and politicians in the US make all their shelters in the US No Kill, and to put pressure on politicians all over the world to protect animals. Our politicians are clearly not working to promote issues held dear by broad sections of the public. One might surmise that Jerry Brown hates elephants, even those of the nonpolitical variety. 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. For centuries, animals have been exploited, abused, deliberately harmed and killed by people because they have been seen as different and inferior. 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. But we must be willing to persistently ask more compassionate candidates about their stances on animal issues, making it clear that we may choose among them accordingly.