Published in The News Eagle (Wayne/Pike Counties, PA)
Independence for all beings was being fought for this past July 4 weekend in McLean, a suburb of Washington, D.C., with the coming together of more than eight hundred animal-rights activists from around the world. The event was Animal Rights 2000, a five-day conference with more than 100 speakers, 140 workshops, meetings and rap sessions, 75 exhibitors, numerous video screenings, and lots of great vegan food. The various groups and individuals represented animals used in agriculture, amusement, medicine, fashion, and wildlife and companion animals. Educators, lawyers, and doctors; former vivisectors, hunters, and ranchers; even a presidential candidate, John Hagelin of the Third-Party Coalition, were among the speakers. And some of the beneficiaries of the conference were represented by a variety of canine companions. Eight hundred voices for billions of oppressed animals.
Why do animals seem to have so few friends? According to an Associated Press poll, the majority of the American public believes that animals do have the right to a life free of cruelty. But vegetarians still comprise a small percentage of the population, and animal-rights activists far less. Our "best friends" die in shelters every day. Atrocities performed on farmed animals would not be legal if performed on dogs or cats in this country. Killing for recreational fun is deemed OK, but we wonder why our society and our children are so violent.
Social movements historically take a long time to achieve change for social ills. It's even harder to achieve change when those who are being oppressed can't speak for themselves. The July 4 conference was a microcosm of opinions and expectations. Kill vs. no-kill shelters, what tactics are most effective to attract public attention and sympathy, how legal protections can be extended to all animals. One thing was certainly agreed upon: It’s not enough to just be opposed to something. If that were the case, there would be no bullfights in Mexico or Spain, where the overwhelming majority of the population is against them, nor would there be canned hunts in the US, with 99% of its citizens in opposition.
Since 96% of the animals killed in this country are used for food production, a major focus at the conference was on protecting farmed animals and promoting a vegan lifestyle (vegans being true vegetarians avoiding the use of any animal products, including dairy and leather). Recently, France became the final country in the European Union to ratify the Treaty of Amsterdam, which recognizes animals as “sentient beings capable of feeling fear and pain, and of enjoying themselves when well-treated.” The USA, on the other hand, has backslided its anticruelty laws, which were originally enacted on behalf of farm animals. The Animal Welfare Act doesn’t even include farm animals. The fact is that, under our current laws, animals have no real rights, and their situation will never improve without the interjection of caring people.
How many people are aware that federal humane slaughter laws exclude chickens and do not apply to state-inspected slaughterhouses? Federal transport laws allow the withholding of water and food for up to 36 hours, and are so outdated that they only apply to transport by land but may not apply to trucks. Most state anti-cruelty laws are vague, exclude certain animals, and rarely require light, exercise, space, or ventilation. The majority exempt “customary” farming practices, customary often being equal to torturous. Add to all that the fact that existing, weak laws are rarely enforced and have limited penalties, with fines averaging $500.
Now, the US is exporting its cruel agriculture practices to developing nations. One of the latest targets is China. Not only is this globally bad news for the animals and the environment, but also for people’s health in many countries that historically have led largely plant- or grain-based diets. One hope is that other countries will reject these practices. The Washington Post recently reported that Polish farmers rejected a lucrative business offer from Virginia-based Smithfield Foods (the self-proclaimed largest hog producer and processor in the world) because they objected to its industrial-style farming.
A highlight of the conference was the announcement of the Animal Rights Hall of Fame. Among the first inductees were Peter Singer (widely credited with founding the movement), Ingrid Newkirk (co-founder of PETA), and the late Cleveland Amory (founder of the Fund for Animals and best-selling author). Actress Alicia Silverstone, who attended the entire conference, was honored with a special award for her work in raising public awareness.
Perhaps the most moving moment of the convention, however, was the screening of a documentary titled “The Witness,” the story of Eddie Lama, a construction contractor from a tough Brooklyn neighborhood, whose life was forever transformed by the unexpected love of a kitten. With humor, sincerity, and passion, Eddie tells his story, and we see how one person can make a real difference in this world as Eddie takes his message of compassion to the streets of New York. Though there is some brutally graphic footage of the shocking realities of the meat and fur industries, the message one walked away with is of inspiration and hope. There was not a dry eye in the house, and not a cold heart in sight.
Return to Vegetarian: For Your Health, for the
Animals, for the Planet
by Teresa D'Amico