Enewsletter
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Enewsletter • April 30, 2003 | ||
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News and UpdatesPittsburgh Tabling OpportunityPETA is looking for someone to leaflet at the Matchbox Twenty concert, Friday, May 9, 5pm, at Mellon Arena. If you are interested, please contact Sean Diener, Summer Programs Manager. SeanD@peta.org
Advertising DeadlineThe deadline to advertise in Vegan Outreach's spring newsletter is Friday, May 2. If interested, contact Lauren Panos. panos@veganoutreach.org
Minnesota County Wants Feedlot Sites Kept Secret"'We think we deserve obscurity because we're part of the economic engine that's very important to the state and is vulnerable if our location is known to the wrong people,' Board Chairwoman Judy Hanson said."
Feds Target Activists for Animal Rights"In a February interview with The Star-Ledger, Sidney Caspersen, director of the state Office of Counter Terrorism, said his office had assigned investigators to monitor hate groups and animal rights groups in New Jersey and elsewhere for alliances with foreign nationals."
Meatless Mondays Campaign Under Attack"American Association of Meat Processors Executive Director Steve Krut said the group's campaign differs from typical anti-meat crusades in that it is cloaked by credible universities and researchers that seek a 15 percent reduction of saturated fat but advocate eliminating meat consumption as the only way to achieve that goal. 'What is especially significant here is that they are targeting not only consumers, but decision makers and opinion shapers,' Krut said. 'The Website is well-produced, the message is clear, and they target a very broad group of people. I think this is serious cause for concern because, if left unchecked, such a campaign could perhaps erode away the demand for meat.'"
Exchange re: Chipotle
Of course, economic support of different companies is a consideration for all activists. However, my personal take on it is that it doesn't really matter who the parent company is, in the big scheme of things. For example – the products I buy the most are from smaller companies. If these companies were, in turn, bought by a larger company, this would be a sign of their success in this capitalist economy. They would have more advertising money and quite possibly a higher R&D budget. Although I understand the argument for working against capitalism / multinationals, my singular goal is to reduce the amount of animal exploitation and suffering. This is why we will do whatever we can to make it easier for new people to go veg, and to stay veg. It has nothing to do with if I, personally, would choose to eat at a vegan restaurant vs. Chipotle. That is a different discussion. The bottom line, though, is that the animals would be better off if Chipotle
would stop adding bacon to their pinto beans. On this, I'm sure we all agree!
From another reader:Here is a suggestion that you may want to send to your
readers: Next time you visit a grocery store, a restaurant, or an event that
includes food, fill out their comment card and suggest that they include more
vegan items. Most businesses give serious consideration to their patrons'
comments and suggestions. I just wanted to thank you for getting all this information
to me in time for the Ft. Worth Main St. Arts Festival this past weekend.
Our booth was a huge success. We spoke with hundreds of people who were, wanted
to be, or knew someone who was vegetarian. We gave away about 500 Why
Vegans, 200 Vegetarian Livings and 50 Vegan Starter Packs.
We got such a positive response from everyone and we will definitely be doing
this every year from now on. Thanks again.
Report from Two High Schools in the Houston AreaBellaire High School: I passed out the majority of the fliers during classes, lunch and throughout the day. I had passed out PETA's KFC fliers a month or so ago, which caused a big stir at my school. I was especially glad to see people who I hadn't passed fliers to reading them, and then passing it to other people who hadn't read it. That first time I received some positive "Oh wow, I can't believe that!" comments, some "Eew, I don't want to look at this, why are you passing this out during lunch?" and of course, the many people who told me there was nothing they enjoyed more than slaughtering animals. I didn't get into any trouble with anyone at the school, the only authority who really saw me passing them out was my English teacher who actually, having been a vegan before, let my class have quite a discussion on animal rights and told us a bit about factory farming. I tried to get him to put a KFC poster up on the classroom wall but he said the illustration was too gruesome for him. So when I passed out the Why Vegan? fliers people weren't as surprised to see them as the first time. My tactics included handing it quickly to many people I passed in the halls as well as going up to groups of people and explaining I was handing out free information for such and such purpose. I tried to not seem like I was forcing people to take them, and I told everyone to give them to someone else if they weren't going to keep it. I was able to start a few really good conversations with interested people,
and I tried to also stress just reducing the amount of meat they eat (many people
were scared off by the word “vegan”). I also got really terrible
responses from some people, including one person who challenged me, saying I
had nothing better to do than pass out fliers that don't even make a difference.
At first comments like these discouraged me, but I think I've made a difference
for a few people at least, so it's worth it. In total I think we passed out
about 200-250 fliers.
Dulles High School: Thank you sooo much for the leaflets! I love them! I brought about 20 to school
and handed them out at lunch. Most people handed them back saying the pics were
too graphic. I don't know... most people were like "yeah, that’s
great" as they threw them into the trash ... but I'm going to send some
to my good friend in Germany, she needs some info.
Editor’s Comments: Great job to both of you! It can be hard to approach people. Just remember that you will make a difference for some people and that can save hundreds of animals from suffering. Many people who are resistant at first eventually become enthusiastic promoters of vegetarianism. It takes time for ideas to sink in. Keep up the great work!
Missed Out
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