www.OTHERNATIONSJUSTICE.ORG
•What is activism?
•Animals, consciousness,
sentience
•Cosmetic testing
•Educational use
•Speciesism – what is it?
•Animal activism & how we work for
justice for animals
•What YOU can do!
WHAT IS ACTIVISM?
What does it mean to be ‘conscious’?
Aware of and responding to one's
surroundings; awake.
Aware of one's own existence,
sensations, thoughts, surroundings.
Q: Are animals conscious?
A bit of history…
ANIMALS AS MACHINES
RENE DESCARTES
(1596-1650)
“father of modern
philosophy”
Humans: body & mind—reason, thought
Animals: body only—no consciousness,
no
Dude, we’re
conscious and
we’re
SENTIENT!
…able to perceive & feel things.
…aware of sensations and
emotions, of feeling pain and
suffering, and of experiencing a
state of well being.
Sentient beings value their lives
and have an interest in living.
Cosmetic Testing on Animals
Cosmetic Testing on Animals
Cosmetic Testing on Animals
“The federal regulations for the approval of
new drugs or pesticides require animal test
data, while cosmetic safety laws simply
require that product safety be demonstrated.”
~American Physiological Society
“The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (regulated by the Food
and Drug Admin.) prohibits the sale of mislabeled and
‘adulterated’ cosmetics, but does not require that animal tests be
conducted to demonstrate that the cosmetics are safe.” ~HSUS
*Use ingredients already tested (5000+) *Use existing non-animals tests
(nearly 50 validated for use including artificial tissue & test tube method)
*Continue to invest in & develop new non-animal tests (animal tests: cruel,
unreliable, time-consuming, expensive)
Cosmetic Testing on Animals
Which countries have banned testing?
-European Union—28 member states (finished
products, 2004; ingredients, 2008)
-Norway
-Israel
-India
-Considering bans:
Australia, New Zealand,
& U.S.
Cosmetic Testing on Animals
The Humane Cosmetics Act, HR 4148
A bill to phase out cosmetic animal testing and
the sale of cosmetics tested on animals.
-introduced March 5, 2014
-Rep. Jim Moran, VA (D, 8th)
-no committee votes yet
-55 co-sponsors (54 D, 1 R)
Educational use of animals
18 states have
laws requiring
schools to provide
virtual dissection
alternatives for
students!
Froguts Inc. is a Bio-eLearning company focused on creating
engaging virtual dissection, general science, life science, and lab
software. Software modules and labs for K-12 and higher
education engage students with immersive experiences into the
world of science around all of us.
Products include: frog, squid, starfish, cow eye, fetal pig
WHAT IS…
RACISM?
Discrimination or prejudice
based on race
WHAT IS…
SEXISM?
Discrimination or prejudice
based on sex
WHAT IS…
SPECIESISM?
Discrimination or prejudice
based on species
Discrimination is an action that treats others unfairly because of
their membership in a particular group.
Animal activism: Working to overcome
speciesism
Nonhuman animals can’t speak in their own
defense. They need humans to speak out and act
on their behalf…to raise awareness, to educate
others, to work at changing laws.
How can we do that?
•Decide where we stand then educate ourselves first
•Be a great role model for others
•Raise awareness & educate without being preachy
•Find the courage to speak up and act on something
when we know it’s the right thing to do
•Join with others or act alone
•Get busy!!!
My own animal activism
Animal activism can include:
•Zoo exploitation
•Rodeo cruelty
•Factory farms
•Trophy hunting
•Fur farming
•Pig wrestling
•Wildlife issues
•Roadkill & wildlife
crossings
•Horse slaughter
Animal activism can include:
•Dog fighting
•Bear pits
•ESA protection
•Wolves/predators
•Dairy industry
•Balloon releases
•Captive marine
mammals
•Trapping
Animal activism can include:
•Circus exploitation
•Feral cats
•Lobsters & crabs
•Puppy mills
•Bacon craze
•Horse & greyhound
racing
•Climate change
•and more…
WHAT CAN *YOU* DO?
Contact your MT
Representative to
Congress and ask him
or her to support & cosponsor the Humane
Cosmetics Act.
SHOPPIN
G
SHOPPIN
GMethod cleaners at
Target
Seventh Generation
cleaners
WHAT CAN *YOU* DO?
…other ideas…
•Letters to the editor
•Foster a homeless animal
•Adopt a homeless animal
•Volunteer – donate time
•Fundraiser – donate money
•Start a club or group
•Facebook page – educate
•Get involved in politics
•Stop and think before you buy
•Speak out against cruelty and
exploitation – IT’S FREE!
Remember –
nonhuman animals
can’t speak for
themselves. They
need
compassionate
humans who care
about justice for
ALL to stand up for
them.
Is that you?!?
“Our lives begin to end
the day we become
silent about things that
matter.” ~MLK
When you truly
care about
an issue of
injustice,
SILENCE IS
NOT AN
OPTION!
Thank you for
giving me the
opportunity to
share with you
today.
YOU ROCK!!!
www.OTHERNATIONSJUSTICE.ORG