Hey All,
Here's a cool story that the Wake Newspaper just did on
CAA.Unfortunately they don't accept letters to the editor, but you may
still want to write them a short e-mail to thank them for covering
animal/veg issues: office at wakemag.org
-Gil
--
http://www.wakemag.org/campus/changing-the-world-one
-meal-at-a-time/
Changing the World One Meal at a Time
Compassionate Action for Animals Serves Up Rights
February 20th, 2008
By Tiffany Wilbert <http://www.wakemag.org/author/twilbert/>
As defined by the Mercy for Animals /Vegan Starter Kit/ a vegan is an
individual who chooses, for health, environmental, ethical, or religious
reasons, to abstain from the consumption of all animal products. This
includes animal flesh, poultry, fish, dairy, eggs, fur, leather, and
other goods that cause suffering to animals. The University of
Minnesota, along with members of the surrounding community, has taken
part in vegan/vegetarianism with Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA),
which will celebrate its 10th year anniversary in April.
Becca Mcdougle, a freshman at the U who became a vegan about a year and
a half ago after viewing the YouTube video "Meet Your Meat," says that
joining the group was "one step further than going vegan on my own." She
feels that with the group's support she was making a more significant
difference in the world. Gil Schwartz, a graduate from the U and now
CAA's campaign coordinator says, "Sometimes vegans or vegetarians feel
like an outsider in their community or possibly even their family for
making the change and the group provides a positive way to connect with
people who have similar interests as they do."
According to the /Vegan Starter Kit/, the average vegetarian saves the
lives of approximately 95 animals each year. That adds up to thousands
during an average lifetime. Vegans consider every meal a powerful choice
that has profound consequences on the lives of animals by either
"supporting animal cruelty or living compassionately." Schwartz made the
decision almost eight years ago to become vegan, and four years before
that he was a vegetarian. "I just didn't want my money to benefit
factory farming anymore," he says, explaining that if dogs and cats were
raised as factory farm animals are today, it would be considered inhuman
and illegal.
CAA wants to differentiate themselves from well-known activist group
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), focusing on
inspiring respect for animals and promoting vegetarianism through
outreach, education, and community-building primarily in the Twin
Cities. Schwartz says, "When people hear the words 'animal rights
group,' they'll typically think of PETA and its antagonistic methods of
informing the public. We're looking to have a more significant effect on
people than an aggressive demonstration or flashy headline." He
emphasizes that CAA strives for a "respectful outreach, not a hostile
one." The CAA outlook on animal cruelty is effectively quoted in the
Vegan Starter Kit: "Life on "Old MacDonald's Farm" isn't what it used to
be. The green pastures and [tranquil] barn scenes portrayed in
children's books have been replaced by windowless metal sheds, wire
cages, gestation crates, and other confinement systems [all fundamental]
to what is now known as 'factory farming.'"
CAA celebrates vegetarianism weekly and holds regular meetings for
anyone to participate in on Mondays at 3:00PM at Coffman Union. They
welcome anyone and everyone; you don't have to be a die-hard vegan or
vegetarian to partake. Many participants go to try new and healthy
things, learn about animal rights, or simply to socialize. Freshman Abby
Morrisette said that a friend of hers who was a dairy farm major came to
a few meetings and, although there were some surprised members, "they
still welcomed her like anyone else."
CAA also hosts social outings where members visit different restaurants
around the community to try new vegan dishes. Mcdougle explains that the
group also works with local restaurants to get more vegan-friendly food
options on the menu. "We recently got a restaurant in the Twin Cities to
switch egg suppliers from one that has the hens in cages to a
'free-range' or cage-free farm." In addition to informing the community,
other things CAA members do include sharing recipes, holding
presentations by speakers on animal- or vegetarian-related topics, and
hosting potlucks. To learn more about vegetarianism, visit vegguide.org
<http://www.vegguide.org/>, exploreveg.org <http://www.exploreveg.org/>,
or participate in an upcoming CAA Monday meeting.
--
Gilbert Schwartz
Campaign Coordinator
Compassionate Action for Animals
300 Washington Ave SE, Rm. 126
Minneapolis, MN 55455
www.ExploreVeg.org
Office: 612-626-5785
Cell: 612-296-9020
gil at exploreveg.org
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