Animal rights activist group Cease Animal Torture (CAT) is hosting the Animal Liberation Forum 2009 this week to inform students about taking action against animal cruelty.
CAT co-chair Nicoal Sheen opened the event yesterday stating that the group was created to discuss the animal rights movements and respond against attacks on animal rights groups and activists.
“We were outraged by how ridiculous the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act and all these legal documents saying we can’t practice our freedom of speech even though its protected by our Constitution in the First Amendment,” Sheen said.
The Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA) is an act that gives the U.S. Department of Justice the authority to charge and convict individuals “committing animal enterprise terror,” according to the act. Sheen said the act allows the government to label activists and animal groups as “terrorists”.
“Currently all activists charged under the AETA are above-ground legal activists,” Sheen said. “They’re often charged with conspiracy.”
Sheen also discussed how to create a group within their community with similar ideologies.
Sheen detailed groups should make goals, pass out information, go to protests, create demos and social events. She stressed the importance of taking action as progression for the movement.
“Your group will be much more effective when accomplishing goals if you stay active,” Sheen said.
Student Allan Yaxon has been a CAT member for a month and became vegan two weeks ago.
“[CAT] has helped me with options for vegan dieting,” Yaxon said. “The group tries to teach people about vegans and vegan choices.”
Other animal rights organizations, such as the Beach Cats and Greenpeace, will have tables set up to pass out literature on animal abuse.
The forum will have speakers from animal rights groups and film screenings through Thursday. Tuesday’s events will take place in the Beach Auditorium from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and then a film, “Behind the Mask,” will premier Wednesday at the Multi-Cultural Center.
In USU Ballroom C from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday several speakers will focus on “A Protocol for Activists” and the “Prevalence of Speciesism.”
The events are free and donations are welcome. The proceeds will go toward activists charged under the AETA to help them pay for legal suits.
Your Name: I am glad to know that CAT does not sound as radical and obstinate as other “animal rights” groups. I am an omnivore because I am very active. I use protein powders that include whey and casein (milk products), as well as eat animal products like beef, poultry and fish along with fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes. I respect the dedication that those have for certain diets. But right now, it is my choice to eat what I want, and I prefer a diet with animal products.
Another Omnivore: What were the factors that inhibited you from going vegetarian or vegan? The purpose of the Forum as well as the organization (CAT) is to create AWARENESS of animal rights/liberation, as well as veganism. We are not forcing anyone to go vegan, it is their choice whether they want to become more compassionate, or continue the violence against animals; but CAT does present veganism as a practical way of reaching animal equality.
My lifestyle choices wouldn’t allow me to go vegan or even vegetarian. If they want everyone to stop eating meat and using animal by-products, then they just lost a ton of possible supporters.
“Student Allan Yaxon has been a CAT member for a month and became vegan two weeks ago.” Conversion is a bit slow, eh? Make my McMeowburger medium rare please.
Cool. Sorry I missed the first day!