These impressions aren’t forming a story that can easily be molded into paragraphs that fit a theme, so I figured I’d just list them:

• The Attendees: It was difficult to determine the size of the conference and I didn’t ask. Statistics will be published soon, I’m sure. Last year 900 people attended and I’m betting it was similar this year. We really seemed to take over the hotel. I saw AR badged people everywhere I turned. Honestly, it felt a little overwhelming to me. Stephanie Ernst (change.org) and Michelle Taylor (Vegan Break) both recognized me and said hello. Both nice, warm and friendly vegans. I met Will Potter (Green Is The New Red) in the elevator.
  It seemed like there were two distinct camps: the ALF-supporters and “moderates” (with various rogue vegans and others mixed in). Basically, the cool kids wore black and followed the Sea Shepherd crew around like, well, puppies. I had been forewarned that leafleters (and the like: virtual leafleters) are frowned on at this conference. I think there was a sense at the conference that leafleting isn’t real activism, though I get the feeling that’s more about “the scene” and less about what actual activists really think.
• The Dogs: There were a few dogs at the conference. The hotel allowed dogs under 40 pounds. It made me miss mine. I got my husband to email me a photo of our little dog during the conference so I wouldn’t miss him as much.
• The Hotel: The hotel gym was nicer than average. And well-used during our visit, probably because of the high percentage of vegans and vegetarians staying there. The hotel screwed up our room and gave us one bed instead of two. They refused to move us and instead gave us one roll-away. Since we were sleeping four, one person slept on the chair. The next day – after requesting a new room for a second time – the hotel gave us a room with two beds.
• The Buffet: The vegan buffet was over-priced for what it was, but it served my purposes. I expected more conference attendees to eat at the buffet, but it seemed like most people went out to eat, which is understandable given the variety of vegan options in LA.  The hotel restaurant staff was nice, but extremely slow.
• The Awards Ceremony: I didn’t go. Next time I think I might join for the awards. I wasn’t interested this year because I didn’t want to have to dress up, spend money, and try not to drink too much. But maybe I should get out of my comfort zone a bit more and embrace the fancy-smancy stuff. I have a tendency to see these kinds of events as a waste of time and money, but I know they appeal to a number of people, people worth shmoozing if I ever want to get anything done.
• The Exhibits: I bought a cute shirt from Herbivore. And some cute buttons at another booth. Dave Warwak recognized me and said hello. He’s a nice guy, a little odd and goofy. The Earthlings booth explained that the film is one part of a trilogy. The next part will come out next year. Someone gave my nephew a t-shirt that got a lot of attention. (If you were there, you know what I’m talking about). I got “into it” with a woman from RAN. They had a booth encouraging people to boycott palm oil. I asked if she was vegan. No, but her daughter was (huh?). Why isn’t she vegan? Argh.
• The Presentations: I had heard a lot of it before in other contexts, but it’s good to hear it again. Some ideas were new to me. And some activists inspired me more than they might have via the written word or video. I definitely felt like this was a great place to learn or get inspired. Notes are here >>
• My Head: I wasn’t in the mood for a conference. I wasn’t ready to be social. I was very flustered and nervous. My tongue was twisting and I wasn’t communicating well. So I kept to myself and missed a great opportunity to meet more like-minded people. Next time will be better.

So, I plan to attend again. And I’ll probably make it a habit, at least to attend it when it’s in LA.

Other vegan bloggers wrote their thoughts about the conference.
Here are some of their comments:

• Stephanie at Change.org wrote about a tasty vegan pizza she got with conference-goers. Check it out here >>
• She also wrote about nurturing activism >>
• At Blog for Animals, a new blog, the focus is on direct action >>
• Another new blog, AR 101, lists the conference speakers and provides bios >>
• Ed at Eating Consciously wrote that he’s “been having a great time” and “meeting lots of awesome people doing amazing work on behalf of animals.” read the rest here >>
• Michelle Taylor spoke about her excitement before the conference. see her video here >>
• Snackface offers a pic-centric post with a list of the AR men >>
• Video from the Traveling Vegetarian >>
• Part 1 from Invisible Voices is here >>
• Rinalia posted a summary at For The Pit Bulls >>
• pattrice jones at SuperWeed posted notes from AR2007 here and here.

For details about AR 2009, please take a look at arconference.org. The conference is now over, but at the website you can order taped recordings of the seminars as well as get a better idea of the event so you can plan for next year.

These are my notes from the presentation titled “Commonality of Oppressions” – animals, women, children, people of color*:

Speaker 1 – Karen Davis, UPC

• There is justification for the comparison between human oppressions and animal oppressions. See The Holocaust and the Henmaid’s Tale by Karen Davis for details.
• The objectification is justification enough. Both humans and animals are turned into expendable objects for consumption by others. (My thoughts: This is true.)
• (More of my thoughts: I disliked Davis’ overuse of the term “they.” She didn’t seem to identify as a member of any oppressed class.)
• Instead of justice, it’s “just a”…. just a chicken, just a women, just a cow, just a slave…
• There are times the comparison is not justified: when it diverts attention from the needy

Speaker 2 – Lauren Ornelas, Food Empowerment Project

• There is a common link between oppressions: the vulnerable are the ones exploited.
• The biggest reason for exploitation is profit (My thoughts: Greed is the motivating factor, not profit. Capital is not necessarily the problem; unequal power distribution is.)
• Agricultural workers are exploited. We should be aware of this and work to end it, eg: buy fair trade, boycott products like palm oil.
• She read some statistics about agricultural workers and she acknowledged that “Hispanic” is a troublesome word.
• “Every dollar is a vote” (My thoughts: I have trouble with this idea since democracy = each individual has equal voice via vote. If every dollar is a vote then the people with more money get more votes. Moreover, the people with the most money draw up the ballot. The concept that ‘every dollar is a vote’ is an effective analogy for many people, but I really hate using it. Veganism is not a boycott, it’s a philosophy.)
• We ought to be careful not to exploit other movements
• (My thoughts: She comes across really well.)

Speaker 3 – Pattrice Jones, Eastern Shore Sanctuary

• “We’re not just talking about common tactics or common ideologies, we’re talking about the same process. That process is objectification.” (paraphrased)
• (My thoughts: In these discussions, we need to begin with a definition of objectification. Trouble is, people disagree.)
• Is there a reason more women are interested in animal rights than men? Could be related to the fact that many women experience sexual assault.
• (My thoughts: I think there are many reasons why more women are involved in AR than men. For starters, it’s more socially acceptable for women to care about animals or be vegan.)
• Jones sees a relationship between varied oppressions in the control of reproduction.
• How should we respond? Be mindful and train our minds to see connections, connect the dots
• (My thoughts: we ought to be careful about connecting too many dots. The human mind naturally seeks patterns. The patterns we see are often more a result of our basic assumptions than an explanation of reality. Granted, many privileged people would do well to start seeing how oppressions are linked, however it’s easy to get the specific links wrong.)

I was too tired to note-take the questions. But two stood out in my mind. The first was a man who said he wanted to see more people of color in the movement, that he thinks it’s too white. The other was a man who worried about sounding too conspiratorial. I think he wanted to emphasize the need for evidence when trying to explain overarching theories of oppression.

Note: These are just what I jotted down during the presentation and they may not accurately represent the speakers or the conference. Take everything you read here with a grain of salt.
* “People of color” is the term I chose rather than the one listed in the program: “minorities.”

Here are my notes from the session on “Communications In Our Movement” or “Movement Networking.” Speakers: Karen Dawn, Alex Hershaft, and Peter Muller.

• Print media is disappearing and electronic media is taking over. Books are out, blogs are in. There is some sadness among the presenters about this perceived loss, but there’s no hesitation that as a movement we must embrace the new. Bring it on!
• Videos are powerful, persuasive, and popular. (I agree 100%. If I had to choose one method of advocacy I thought would do the most good right now, it would be short web videos.) YouTube is incredibly powerful.
• Email listervs are one method of communication within our movement, though be careful that what you say on a listserv is what you’d say in person to a stranger on the street or a law enforcement officer because it IS public.  They are a good way to share information, just don’t get too personal or off-topic. You can start your own listserv using Google, Yahoo, or from many other services.
• Be careful of web communication. Be careful about sharing  information that can get you locked up.

Because these are my notes, imbued with my perspective, they are not necessarily accurate representations of the speakers or the event. Take it all with a grain a salt.

For details about the animal rights conference, please take a look at arconference.org.

These are notes from the presentation about “Effective Writing” or “Writing Our Message.”

Speaker 1 – Alex Hershaft, FARM

• Effective writing is writing that achieves its goal of advocacy.
• It’s difficult enough to get people to read at all so we ought to make sure that what they read makes a difference for animals.
• How to get them to read? Use graphics, use simple and short sentences, use a gimmick. Gimmick = something entirce them to read the first paragraph, then another something to entice them to read more
• Option 1: Appeal to feelings – the form is more important than content
  make yourself (the author) likeable to the target audience – similar gender, profession, be humble and funny, etc.
  appeal to reader’s desires and show them how your suggestions are valuable.
• Option 2: Appeal to beliefs – the content more important than form
  reliable, credible sources
  helpful to write about personal experience, adds to credibility
  use logic, authoritative tone, OK to use jargon

Speaker 2 – Karen Davis, UPC

• There is no substitute for practice, nothing makes you a better writer than actual WRITING (yes, I think this is true!)
• Save your old writings and review them later. Edit them and make things better. Learn from your mistakes.
• Use interesting language and historical references if possible
• Be ready to back up your claims even if there isn’t room in the particular piece that you’re writing. Do your research.
• In general, use short paragraphs to increase readability and focus.
• For letters to the editor stick to 250 words or less.
• Try to use your words to paint an image in the reader’s head.

Speaker 3 – Scott Smith, freelance journalist

• Writing is a learned skill, not a talent. Anyone can get better.
• There are lots of resources to learn to write better. take advantage of these resources = improve chances to get published and get message out
• If you can, “sleep on it.” Your subconscious will make it better. Be patient with yourself and your writing.
• Give the first draft to someone who will be honest. Aim for someone in your target audience.
• Think about the audience and their psychology. What do they need to hear in order to make a difference for animals?
• Stay focused – on and off web, people have short attention spans and they get confused by too many topics
• To get published in the papers, keep your articles short
• Methods of grabbing attention: news hook, startling statistic
• Use memorable phrases, watch transitions and make it flow
• Try to end with uplifting note or end by coming full circle and bring back to beginning
• To get published aim low at weeklies, small magazines, some blogs and websites… there is a hunger for material/ content
• Learn about advertising “copy” and try to mimmick their persuasive techniques.

Related presentation from another AR conference: Publishing on the Internet (websites, e-newsletters, blogging, streaming, RSS feeds, MySpace, YouTube) – Judah, Noard, Shoss.

Please note: These are not necessarily accurate representations of the speakers or AR2009. These are simply my notes.

I had a taste of a new film, The Cove, which is scheduled to open in major cities on July 31, and nationwide on August 7 (check to see if your city is scheduled to show it – then lobby the theater if it isn’t).  The film is a documentary, featuring film that was obtained secretly and ingeniously, about the killing of dolphins for food. The killers are a small group of Japanese people, supported, unfortunately, by the Japanese government. The filmmakers are careful to point out that the Japanese people are unaware that this is going on and are shocked and horrified when they learn.

We did not get to see the whole film. We did get to see several trailers, several clips from the film, and an interview with the director and chief dolphin expert.

From these tidbits I became excited and hungry for more. The film promises to have a huge impact on this previously-secret industry and on whaling as well. The filmmakers are working with local groups to get the word out to film-goers on what they can do about these issues. The local groups will hand out post cards to people leaving the theaters, with information on where to go to learn what can be done.

I would very much like to be one of the persons handing out the postcards. If you would, too, go to the film site (http://www.thecovemovie.com/) and click on the “What you can do” tab. From the new page, click on “take part” at the top, and finally, scroll down the right side of this new page and put your email address in the box that is labeled “stay informed with take part”. It’s a bit of a laborious way to get on a list, and if you find a faster way please let me know.

This post is about:
“animal protection laws”
by: will add later

These are Judy’s notes:

First speaker:

not much sleep

framework on global animal rpotection laws

Top: International agreements

overriding umbrella – UN

countries are expected to abide by these agreements

OIE World org of animal health –

CITES – endangered species (one of most important agreements: cannot trade in endangered species or parts all prohibited from being imported in Canada

RAMSAR – protection of wetlands habitat of extraordinary value – both natural and cultural treasures

BONN convention – treatment of migratory species

IETA – transportation of animals

International Whaling Commission – evolved into whale protection

EU has history of animal protection

humarn rights -> animal welfare 1949

Treaty of Rome began to incorporate animals (Goods and agricultural products) – 1951

??missed – civil limits on corporation damages

1990 European X on Animal ? Regulation? – much more advanced than US

1992 Mastrik treaty – research, transportation

1993 European – factory farming end in EU and associated countries

need to look up

“get out clause” unfortunately – allows animal abuse for cultural or religious reasons

National, state

Not every country has anything in constitution for animals

China – getting ban on dog and cat killing and eating

If country does not have animal rights in constitution can be overridden by other constitutional principles like research and artistic expression -

may not be specific – India’s “moral obligation” to protect animals

Primary legislation – acts and bills

general principles

Secondary legislation – specific

bylaws and state laws – most protection laws are at state level

Good, bad, worst

Good: specific agency for animals

Bad: animal issues within other department, particularly agriculture or biotechnology, etc

Worst: no unit at all to protect animals

US federal animal protection statute – 90 sets of laws

airborne hunting act

animal damage control act- sec of agriculture – mtn lions etc

animal enterprise terrorism act – most important to us

Animal welfare act – in US constitution

animal fighting

captive wildlife safety

depiction of animal cruelty

endangered species

fish & wildlife conservation

marine mammal protection

marine protection and century ? – whaling

us should override state but state laws often conflict – must take state laws to court when conflict

hunter harrassment statutes – freedom of speech – every state has one of these

state laws: protect dogs, cats and zoo animals

under guardianship of humans

wildlife no concern because no human interest – economic

need one more amendment to the us constitution – trying to remember

states: misdemeanor, felony

—-

second: Brian – San Diego

met wife in protest, arrested together

crows

enforcement is huge challenge

written into statute – private right of action – easiest

unfair business practices statute – allows any business violating any law – you can sue

illegal to torture any animal in California – used that law

now foi gras banned but of course phased out

sale is banned now

harbor seals – beach – rest, birth, rest – 1931 a citizen built sea wall to protect area

grant for city to use as park

filled with sand now

1972 Marine Mammal Protection Act passed – can’t do anything to marine mammals

populations have been rebounding since then

also illegal to sell products from these animals

beach – swimmer sued city because seals interfering with her ability to swim. Judge agreed with swimmer (2005). Ordered city to remove sand, make swimming beach. City appealed. Appellate court agreed with judge. City filed petition for review of Supreme Court of California. Dismissed decision. New judge, just as bad. Many other issues – environmental quality act, etc. Hired seal chaser. Filed federal lawsuit based on MMPA – doesn’t allow private course of action specifically. Used argument that feds override state order. Dismissed, complications enterered, continuing between city & fed laws

Fed judge decided no jurisdiction, back to state – state hears tomorrow

——–

Third – Christine – animal law office in SF

excited about how got around legal standing issue

a bit of an in-bred discussion

filled in, tried to explain more about the legal meaning of the term “standing”

most laws are enforced by district or federal attorney. private attorneys have to have standing to sue.

have to be creative to find the way in.

hunter harrassment laws: if you have hunting permit- won’t be arrested – can be loud, sloppy hunter

dog fighting – felt helpless when first came across this kind of case. The laws are there but need enforcers

website of animal protection laws

*helping hands for animals bill – drafted – can bring to local gov’t

union square – chickens – throwing in bags, holding up by feet – clear animal cruelty – 597 – get police report first. if police don’t want to write report citizen can file complaint. Keep making complaints. Finally they started writing reports. Then when you have the report number, go to DA and push for prosecution.  Argue with DA about law. Finally convincing DA to prosecute. Try going civil route alternatively.

Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act

Other countries work differently. Singapore lawyer working for animals on exhibit. showing leads to human safety and health concerns.

Clean Water Act. factory farming.

questions

marian – Canada – how get foot in door when no law

first speaker: hard to do in Canada. work in US because no work there. more powerful to go outside country and get rest of world to come down hard on your country.

? bay area farmers markets – dogs not allowed in but have live chickens, petting zoos. angle?

last speaker: 597.3 does not include chicken. but it doesn’t have any exemptions. health concerns. wasn’t an issue in 1990 but now it is.  micro-campaigns good.

? Dominique: where do file complaint

county clerk – go to website – complaint form (911 or 910) within 6 mos of violation – administrative complaint – if no form, just make one up

proposal for child bow hunt in residential area – using SHARE program through fish & game – pay some residents to be able to hunt on their property – using tax dollars for hunters

Brian – taxpayer standing difficult. needs to be clearly illegal activity. go after CC politically. may be other causes of action like public safety.

Because these posts are simply published notes, please overlook any grammar or spelling mistakes. I hope to clean this all up later when I have more time. Thanks for your patience.

I had embedded the idea that I couldn’t do anything significant in the movement until I went vegan. Until I was vegan, any time I suggested that “meat is murder” I’d get called a hypocrite, which was enough to shut me up… temporarily. Any time I’d suggest that animals deserved better – in any circumstance – I’d hear someone, real or imagined, tell me I had no right to criticize until I abstained from all animal use.

A valid criticism, yet what was the result?
The result was: it became my excuse not to advocate for animals.

There’s a common story in the animal rights community. Many people say they feel like once they were exposed to the truth about animal suffering, they had to respond. They couldn’t not respond.

I don’t share that story. I think animal rights are self-evident. it didn’t require special education or new information, it’s obvious. I have known about animal suffering for virtually my whole life. Maybe I didn’t know the exact details of this or that horrid exploitation, but I knew the concept: animals are individuals with their own interests and rights; they are not ours to use for food, entertainment, clothing or anything else.

Yet I didn’t follow through. I told myself veganism was too hard, too expensive, too isolating. And I wasn’t lying to myself the way some nonvegans do. I had tried to go vegan. I was vegan for a year! I found the social isolation too difficult to bear.

Since I felt veganism was too impractical, I simply shifted my natural activist energies elsewhere and got interested in feminism. I can’t say I did a whole lot with it (so far) other than get a degree in Women’s Studies and volunteer for a year with a women’s lobby, but I did something real and concrete on behalf of women’s rights, which was more than I was doing on behalf of animals’ rights.

Why, when I didn’t have to get straight A’s or be a perfect feminist was I willing to fight for women, but I expected myself to be a perfect vegan in order to fight for animals?

It’s simple, really:  it was easier.
Fighting for women’s rights – as a woman – was natural. Whatever inadequacies I had as an individual weren’t significantly relevant to my struggles to abolish sexism and misogyny and improve women’s lives.

Later in life I followed through with my initial commitment to animals made decades earlier: I went vegan. And this time around it wasn’t nearly as difficult. Now that the web existed and vegans connect with each other regardless of location, now that milk alternatives are readily available, and now that the nutritional information about veganism is more available and more accepted going vegan was so much easier. Oh, and it didn’t hurt that my second try was as an adult without the confines of school cafeterias and cliquey teens.

So, finally as a vegan I was “good enough” to truly advocate for animals. It’s silly that I let my personal failings keep me from my passion, but I did.

Now I’m making up for lost time. Now I’m here at AR 2009 learning how to become a better advocate so I won’t waste more time: I’m learning strategies, hearing success stories, and conjuring up ideas.

More notes and more thoughts to come…

“Engaging Media” by: Karen Dawn – author, “Thanking the Monkey” , Dean Kuipers – author, “Operation Bite Back”, Bob Linden – Go Vegan Radio, Scott Smith – freelance journalist

First speaker: Dean Kuipers, Operation Bite Back

As a reporter and LA Times editor, Kuipers started to notice the effectiveness of media campaigns when reporting on an Earth First! event. He started to notice how dramatic actions could grab media attention, and soon militant groups became his beat.

He covered an Animal Liberation Front action – the group burned a lab, rescuing the animals, and the lab never recovered. It finally closed its doors. The action was a success. The Sea Shepherd has actually gained its own show and is great media. How do we measure the effectiveness of these actions for animals? The question is still unanswered.

To engage the media, Kuipers recommends, create an action that demonstrates the conflict. Create a picture and the media will come.

Second speaker: Scott Smith, freelance journalist

Smith described himself also as an activist, and recommended:

• Get Guerrilla Publicity – a classic book on successful marketing with few dollars

• Write press releases and use PR wire or Business Wire to get them out. PR Wire is free (usually). Business Wire costs a few hundred but is effective.

• Use expertclick.com – broadcast interview site – find an expert or sign up as an expert

• When looking for newspaper and magazine coverage, contact freelance journalists who have a reputation for reporting on similar issues. You are more likely to get attention.

• Find the news hook in your story.

• Be patient.

• Pretend to be normal. You will get more respect and attention if you come across as a normal human rather than a crazed wacko.

• Get an op ed piece written or do it yourself if your title is right. If you have the credentials take it on yourself.

• Don’t overlook letters to the editor. They are widely read. They need to be short, factual, memorable, ASAP.

• Pick your battles. Develop a reputation.

• Get a celebrity or authority to write.

Third speaker: Bob Linden, Go Vegan Radio

Go Vegan radio program has been 8.5 years on the air. It is the first commercial vegan program, and is on Air America and some individual stations. Linden has to pay for time and wants to expand, which will take even more dollars. Each week he wonders if the program will stay afloat and each week it does. It’s an effective voice for animal rights and veganism.

Fourth speaker: Karen Dawn, Thanking The Monkey

Dawn reiterated the need to have a hook. She said to use your own prior experience to connect to others: were you always vegan? Always an animal rights activist? Remember how it was for you when you weren’t.

She founded DawnWatch to force changes in media coverage of animal rights activities. The operation encourages activists to keep a close eye on the media coverage and learn how to connect and change what is being told. She illustrated her point with a story about circuses – described how her calls to the media changed how the story was told. She recommended going to circuses.com for good information to use when contacting the media about these events.

Always be nice to media representatives. Wrap criticism in compliments.

Don’t forget the smaller media outlets: campus media, local web media, tiny talk shows. They can give you coverage and grab attention.