Untitled Document

Weekly E-Newsletter
Northwest Animal Rights Network
- November 18th, 2008 -

1) Announcements & Action Items
2) This Week's Actions and Events
3) Up and Coming Events
4) Future Events to Keep in Mind
5) Community Events Worth Checking Out
6) News of Note

This past week we had some fun at the AR Social Hour on Thursday, followed up by an afternoon of hanging out in the sun for Fieck Furs Protest in Everett. Thanks to the dedicated souls that have continued to show up for NARN's demos - they have been going really well!
We also had the last of the Primate Center protests at the UW Husky games, but if you missed the one on Saturday night, we will be planning more Primate Center protests in the future. You still have a chance to speak up for the Primates.
Occasionally I hear people say that they don't want to engage in activism because they don't think it will make a difference, or they are interested in doing something, but they don't know exactly what. The thing is, if you don't do anything then you definitely won't be making any sort of a difference whatsoever. If you don't know what to do, then by all means try a few different things and see what you like. NARN has many different volunteer options listed here:
http://narn.org/blog/?p=6
If you don't like any of those ideas, then feel free to suggest some of your own - or simply contact volunteer@narn.org and tell us you would like to help - we can set you up.
For the most part, doing something - even something small - is far better than doing nothing at all. The animals need you.

Plug in and help all animals.
Contact volunteer@narn.org

For all animals,
The NARN Board,
(Mark, Shelly, Pete, Jenn, David, & Rachel)
Contact form

The Northwest Animal Rights Network is run solely by volunteers.
Donate, and help keep NARN active!

"It is not enough to be compassionate. You must act. There are two aspects to action. One is to overcome the distortions and afflictions of your own mind, that is, in terms of calming and eventually dispelling anger. This is action out of compassion. The other is more social, more public. When something needs to be done in the world to rectify the wrongs, if one is really concerned with benefiting others, one needs to be engaged, involved."
~ Dalai Lama

1. Announcements / Action Items

Victories for Animals!
European Union Floats Tighter Animal Research Rules
http://tinyurl.com/5sx8bn (science now)

Tell the Monroe City Council what you think of breed specific bans
On Tuesday, November 18th, the city council of Monroe, Washington is holding a public hearing on proposed breed specific legislation. This legislation would outlaw keeping several breeds of dogs, including American pitbull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, and akitas, and dogs with any of these breeds in their pedigrees, in Monroe city limits. Breed specific legislation does not solve the underlying problem in dangerous dog issues: irresponsible human behavior. It also results in the deaths of hundreds of well-socialized, properly supervised dogs.
For more information on why breed specific legislation is inhumane and ineffective, please visit stopbsl.com
Take Action
Email the city council at councilmembers@ci.monroe.wa.us to let them know that breed specific legislation is not the answer.

Help Save Wild Horses
It is regrettable that the recently released Government Accounting Office's report failed to hold the BLM accountable for rounding up some 30,000 more horses than could be adopted over the past eight years. The GAO looked only at the train wreck and not the reasons that the train left the tracks in the first place. The BLM has proposed killing the horses in long-term holding to remedy their self-made budget crisis.
We cannot allow this to happen.
Take Action
- Contact both your Senators and your Representative: call 202-224-3121 or visit www.congress.org for contact information.
- Contact President-Elect Obama at www.change.gov to ask that he take immediate action to protect our wild horses. We must also make sure that any BLM budget increases do not go to funding increased round-ups and the killing of horses.
- "CC" your comments to BLM Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board, email them to BLM Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board attn: Ramona DeLorme, or write 1340 Financial Blvd, Reno, NV 89502, phone number (775) 861-6583.

Tell Greenpeace to support Vegetarianism
Greenpeace has long call itself a leading environmental organization, yet they have not ever taken a strong stance in support of vegetarianism. They still serve food from factory farms at their events, and they have yet to take on a campaign aimed at encouraging people to eat less meat (let alone go vegetarian). It even took me a long time to find any mention of vegetarianism on their website.
Take Action
Tell Greenpeace to get serious about being an environmental organization, and ask them to actively promote the adoption of a vegetarian lifestyle. At the very least they should only be serving vegetarian cuisine at their functions.
E-mail: info@wdc.greenpeace.org
Or call their toll free number at (800) 326-0959

2) This Week's Actions and Events

March and Public Hearing Against Breed Specific Legislation
When: Tuesday, Nov. 18th @ 7:00pm
Where: Monroe City Hall (806 W Main St Monroe, WA 98272)

On Tuesday, November 18th, the city council of Monroe, Washington is holding a public hearing on proposed breed specific legislation. This legislation would outlaw keeping several breeds of dogs, including American pitbull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, and akitas, and dogs with any of these breeds in their pedigrees, in Monroe city limits. Breed specific legislation does not solve the underlying problem in dangerous dog issues: irresponsible human behavior. It also results in the deaths of hundreds of well-socialized, properly supervised dogs.

Please join other concerned citizens for a march against breed specific legislation before the hearing.
Meet at Sam's Cats and Dogs Naturally on Lewis St. in Monroe on Tuesday, November 18th at 6:30pm. Or come to the hearing at 7pm at Monroe City Hall to voice your opposition.
If you can't make it to the march or the meeting, please email the city council at councilmembers@ci.monroe.wa.us to let them know that breed specific legislation is not the answer.
For more information on why breed specific legislation is inhumane and ineffective, please visit stopbsl.com

CARE Meeting
When: Wednesday, Nov. 19th @ 5:30pm
Where: UW HUB - contact CARE for room location
http://www.washington.edu/home/maps/?HUB

The University of Washington Animal Rights group - CARE (Campus Animal Rights Educators) meet on Wednesdays. Come on and check out the UW student group. Non-students welcome too.
If you have any questions, please contact careuw@u.washington.edu
If you want to help with Animal Advocacy on the UW campus, please contact careuw@u.washington.edu

November Veg Happy Hour Meet-up
When: Wednesday, Nov 19th @ 6pm
Where: The College Inn Pub (4006 University Way NE, U-District)

Wow was last week's Veg Happy Hour ever fun! About 30 people came, and it was a blast meeting new people.
Don't miss the next one at the College Inn Pub.
This is a casual group sharing interests in veganism, vegetarianism, and animal rights, just looking to hang out.
It's a social scene for compassionate lifestyles!
To learn more about this Meet-up Group, and to RSVP for upcoming events check out:
http://www.meetup.com/seattle-veg-happy-hour/calendar/9059355/

University of Washington's IACUC Meeting
When: Thursday, Nov. 20th @ 2:30pm
Where: South Campus Center, Room 246 (behind the Magnuson Health Sciences Center - 1925 N.E. Pacific St.)

The University of Washington's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) will be meeting to discuss various research protocols (study designs). This is your chance to voice your opinion about the research on animals that goes on at the UW. Please come and speak for the animals!
Unfortunately, they frequently re-schedule or cancel their meetings in an attempt to avoid the public, so please call (206) 543-9180 to make sure the meeting is still happening at the given time.

3) Up-and-Coming Events

AR Meet-up Vegan Thanksgiving
When: Thursday, Nov. 27th @ 4:00pm
Where: Capitol Hill (check out AR Meet-up site for address)

For those you wanting to hang out with fellow animal lovers and eat some tasty vegan food this coming Thanksgiving, we are going to have a Vegan Thanksgiving Potluck!
Please RSVP at the AR Meet-up site so we can get a ballpark figure of how many people are coming. You don't HAVE to RSVP, but it would be nice :)
http://tinyurl.com/5a9mla
There is also a Vegan Thanksgiving in Issaquah, so check out that one if the location is more convenient for you:
http://vegan.meetup.com/85/calendar/8716115/

Holiday Parade Veg Outreach Leafleting
When: Friday, Nov. 28th @ 9:00am
Where: Meet in front of Westlake Center Starbucks (4th & Pine)

Once again, we will take advantage of the large post-Thanksgiving crowds downtown and leaflet with veg literature along the Holiday Parade route. It has been hugely successful in the past.
Want to wear an animal costume and hand out stickers to kids? Want to pass out veg literature to their parents? Want to educate people about what happens to farm animals?
If you are interested in being involved, please contact volunteer@narn.org

Fur Free Friday in downtown Seattle
When: Friday, Nov. 28th @ 11:30 - 1:00pm
Where: Downtown Nordstrom's (5th & Pine entrance)

NARN will be joining up with AFA (Action for Animals) to observe Fur Free Friday.
Please join us on Fur Free Friday to ask Nordstroms to remove fur from
all their stores, and to help us educate the thousands of downtown
shoppers about the horrors of the fur industry. There is NO excuse for wearing fur.

"Seeing Through the Fence" Screening
When: Thursday, Dec. 4th @ 6:30pm
Where: Allen Auditorium (on UW Campus on Ground floor of Allen Library)
http://www.washington.edu/home/maps/northcentral.html

"Seeing Through the Fence" is a documentary put together by NARN's very own Eleni Vlachos! This documentary is a culmination of years of work, interviews with hundreds of people and lots of thoughtful editing. Seattle first saw this film back in March when NARN had a very successful and well-received screening.
This time the screening is FREE - can't beat that price. So if you haven't seen this film, or want to see it again, come on over to the UW campus and get your seat at the Allen Auditorium. Bring you friends, bring you family - heck bring your enemies - this film is definitely worth your time.
For more information about the documentary, or to see the trailer check out:
http://www.porchlifeproductions.com

AFA/NARN Holiday Vegan Potluck Party
When: Saturday, Dec. 20th @ 6:00pm - midnight
Where: 1621 12th Ave (former CHAC building on Capitol Hill)

Have a blast with fellow vegans, animal rights activists, people interested in being veg, or the friends of veggies, at the joint AFA/NARN holiday party.
Bring a vegan dish or beverage to share, bring your friends and family, everyone is welcome.
Don't miss it!

Vegan Meetup Talk: benefits of a Vegan diet and the Naturopathic health model
When: Saturday, Nov 22nd @ 11am
Where: University District Library (5009 Roosevelt Way NE, U-District)

Come join Dr. Deborah Epstein (Naturopathic physician), as we talk about the cancer-protective, cardiovascular, and other benefits of a Vegan diet and the Naturopathic health model. Learn how to spot whether you’ve fallen into any of the common habits of being vegan/vegetarian, that may need shaking up. Brush up on monitoring your basics, such as Vitamin B-12, iron, protein, blood-sugar balance, and more.
We’ll meet at the University District library (just a few blocks off I-5, on NE 50th and Roosevelt Ave NE near Scarecrow; it has a moderate parking lot).
To learn more about this Meet-up Group, and to RSVP for upcoming events check out:
http://vegan.meetup.com/85/calendar/9054565/

6) News of Note

Wash. farmers fight proposed 30K-head feedlot
http://tinyurl.com/5vcrkc (seattle times)
"In 2005, Attorney General Rob McKenna issued an opinion that barred the state from limiting the amount of water that ranchers draw daily for their livestock. Critics immediately argued it opens the state's water resources to unlimited use by large dairies and feedlots. Enter Easterday Ranches Inc., one of the largest feedlots in the Northwest with 30,000 cattle near Pasco. Easterday has proposed building a similar feedlot on empty land near Eltopia, a tiny town east of the Hanford nuclear reservation. The feedlot would be the first built in the Northwest in 30 years."

Gruesome Scenes From the Poultry Line Are a Sign of Agriprocessors’ Troubles
http://www.forward.com/articles/14484/
"Agriprocessors’ financial difficulties have been building — early last week, all beef production was halted. But the company’s struggles were nowhere more gruesome than in the ongoing effort to produce poultry last week. Jeff Abbas, who runs the local radio station, said that it appears the company has not been able to come up with the money to feed the live chickens that it still has. Father Paul Ouderkirk, a priest at Postville’s Catholic church, said he has been hearing reports from workers “telling us that they saw trucks of poultry sitting there for days.”."

Feds consider wild horse euthanasia
http://tinyurl.com/5ps836 (seattle pi)
"A government advisory board on Monday was to weigh the prospect of using euthanasia and unlimited sale of wild horses to control herd populations throughout the West and corral escalating costs of caring for the animals taken off the range. But wild horse advocates decry the proposal by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management as a travesty of a 37-year-old federal law that deemed the horses "living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West."

Pet owners face code of practice
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7708411.stm
"Cat and dog owners are to be told to provide "entertainment" and "mental stimulation" for their pets under new government advice. The code of practice also includes advice on diet and providing "somewhere suitable to go to the toilet". The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said it wanted to remind pet owners of their responsibilities under the 2006 Animal Welfare Act."

Green swine good for environment, scientists say
http://tinyurl.com/5cx8tl (detroit free press)
"A group of 21 hogs living at an Ontario university have been genetically engineered so their manure will be less polluting -- but just as smelly as a conventional pig's. Scientists at the University of Guelph envision the Enviropigs' pork being marketed as good for the environment. No one has eaten it yet, but the scientists say the pork should taste like any other pig. They "look like regular pigs, they act like other pigs, and they regrettably smell like other pigs," said Cecil Forsberg, one of the Guelph scientists."