The Taking Action for Animals and Animal Rights Conference Reports Show

We start this show with Alissa chatting about a new local “underground” vegan dinner club called Plate Invaders and she talks about the local vegan secret supper scene in general. Also, we chat about leafletting in the animal barn at the Pacific National Exhibition, as well as a recent television episode of the Nature of Things with David Suzuki called “Mysteries of the Animal Mind”, which can be viewed here for free in Canada. Then we put out a call for a new co-host and co-producer for the Animal Voices radio show, as Aylon will be leaving the show soon! If you would like to learn more and may be interested in this position, please listen to this show and then contact us at radioanimalvoices@gmail.com

Review of the 2012 Taking Action for Animals and Animal Rights Conferences

The 2012 Taking Action for Animal Conference, hosted by the Humane Society of the United States, and the 2012 national Animal Rights Conference, hosted by FARM (Farm Animal Rights Movement), took place in late July and early August in the Washington, DC area, and Alison and guest co-host Denise were fortunate enough to be able to attend.

In this segment, for those who couldn’t attend the events, they provide personal reviews of the conferences, explaining what they are all about and give some of the highlights of the events, ranging from what the different activities entailed, to the speakers, to the food, to the resulting benefits of attending. If you weren’t able to attend the conferences, but wanted to, hear a first-hand review of them here! These are two significant events that animal advocates everywhere will find useful to know about.

Speaker Highlights of the TAFA and AR Conferences

Continuing on with the theme of the show, we present to you some audio clips of  three of the memorable and impactful  speakers at these conferences, with discussion in between.

Kathy Freston is a New York Times best-selling author with a concentration on healthy living and conscious eating for the animals. Her books include “Veganist: Lose Weight, Get Healthy, Change the World”; “Quantum Wellness: A Practical and Spiritual Guide to Health and Happiness”; “The Quantum Wellness Cleanse: The 21 Day Essential Guide to Healing Your Body, Mind, and Spirit”; and “THE LEAN: A Revolutionary (and Simple!) 30-Day Plan for Healthy, Lasting Weight Loss”. Kathy has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Ellen, The Dr. Oz Show, The View, Good Morning America, Charlie Rose, The Martha Stewart Show, and Extra, and also on OWN. Her work has been featured notably in Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, Self, W, and Fitness.

Kathy Freston promotes a body/mind/spirit approach to health and happiness that includes a concentration on healthy diet, emotional introspection, spiritual practice, and loving relationships, among other tenets. In this audio clip from the TAFA conference, she speaks about her transformation to a compassionate and cruelty-free lifestyle for the animals.

Jane Velez-Mitchell takes a stand on the biggest topics of the day that people across the country are buzzing about, and this also includes stories about the atrocities that are happening to animals on a daily basis. Jane stands up for the powerless, and provides a voice for those who don’t have one. She challenges convention, those in power and the decision-makers. She puts a spotlight on those who abuse authority, don’t play by the rules and ignore the interests of those they represent.

In this audio clip from the TAFA conference, she addresses the notion that some people have who believe that “human rights” should come before “animal rights”.

Born in Sweden and raised in the United Kingdom, Peter Hammarstedt joined the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society as soon as he was old enough to submit an application. A fervent advocate for the rights of animals, Peter believes that in their capacity to suffer, animals are our equals. From the foreboding Labrador Coast to the treacherous Antarctic Continent, Peter has sailed the seven seas trying to put those words into action. He has saved as many lives as as he can from illegal whaling, sealing and destructive fishing practices. During his time with Sea Shepherd, Peter has been held hostage by Ecuadorian fishermen; physically attacked by sealers; assaulted and arrested by the Canadian Coast Guard (twice); involved in a confrontation which included the side-swiping of an illegal whaling ship; been rammed by another; and pulled up countless miles of fishing longline.

In this audio clip from the AR conference, Peter speaks about his experience in 2005 in acting to help shut down the Canadian seal hunt, which resulted in his arrest by Canadian authorities and confiscation of his ship.

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