Apr04
A Message From Ingrid Newkirk
Posted at 03:17 PM | Permalink
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Comments (24)
April 4 marks the 40th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. As we reflect on the violent killing of a man who stood for peace and equality, it’s a good time to ask ourselves what we are doing — because there’s so much we can do - to help humanity reach those goals.
We may not be able to stop all the violence in the world, but each of us has the power to end the violence and suffering we’re responsible for every time we sit down to eat, simply by choosing humane vegetarian foods instead of meat, dairy, and eggs. The animals who are killed for our food never have the freedom to do anything natural or enjoyable. They spend their frightened often pain-wracked lives crammed into tiny and filthy cages or pens before being violently killed (many have their throats slit and are scalded or dismembered while still conscious) in slaughterhouses.
After all these years, it is high time we opened our hearts and spoke up to oppose violence in all its forms. We can all make a start by showing others how easy it is to wipe violence off our plates.
-Ingrid E. Newkirk, President, PETA
TAGGED:
nonviolence martin luther king
Comments
Peace on earth can start at our plate.
Thank you Ingrid
Posted by: Holly | April 4, 2008 04:40 PM
I ****heart**** Dennis.
I'm touched by Newkirk's mention of the Koran. In this difficult time, our Arab brothers and sisters are being treated like dirt across the board.
The more America hates Muslim and Arabs, the more we should show them love, understanding, and most importantly, respect!!
Nonviolence towards all is achieved by challenging our assumptions and prejudices.
Peace.
Posted by: Maya, CVT | April 4, 2008 07:12 PM
Martin Luther King knew it best- he was a vegetarian!
Posted by: Emily | April 4, 2008 07:45 PM
Thank you Ingrid for your inspiring message.
I am not a veggie. I do have meatless days. It is a start. That is better than not doing anything at all. I believe Alicia Silverstone said something similar to that on her semi-recent appearance on "The View".
But may we also add all animals? Like dogs who are on chains 24/7? Dogs in puppy mills? ALL animals in pet stores and shelters?
All of God's creatures should be added to your wish for peace.
"Early morning, April 4 a
shot rings out in a Memphis sky ...free at last they took your life. They could not take your pride...In the name of love... what more in the name of love..."
"Pride (In the name of Love)"~~U2
Posted by: Tamara | April 4, 2008 07:50 PM
"The animals who are killed for our food never have the freedom to do anything natural or enjoyable."
Never? Why the lies, won't people support animal rights unless they are misled?
Hasn't Ingrid seen a lamb frolick in the pastures, a cow chewing it's cud, a calf suckling, a sheep grazing in an open field?
They've even been known to procreate, live and die.
Posted by: rojo | April 4, 2008 08:01 PM
No meat served in our house Ingrid, for many years now.
Bless you for all you do.
We shall continue the good fight!
Peace!
Posted by: Judith, Freedom Fighter for Animals | April 4, 2008 08:26 PM
It's worth noting that Dr. King's widow and family went vegan after his death. Truly people who live what they preach!
Posted by: Canaduck | April 5, 2008 12:05 AM
Is there a way that you could provide transcripts for videos on this site? I am deaf, and I am certain that other deaf people visit this site. I support PETA, and I have a cat of my own that I love very much. it would be wonderful for me to know what was being said in the videos here.
Posted by: M | April 5, 2008 04:25 PM
God gave the Jews Kosher laws which requires animals to be killed humanely.
Mormons are given Words of Wisdom which includes "eat meat sparingly and only in times of famine"
Unknown to Ingrid Newkirk, she is an instrument in the hands of God...
Atheist hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Posted by: Joan Barrett | April 5, 2008 10:03 PM
Are there ever any raccoon dogs that are saved from their imminent deaths? If so what becomes of them? Are they brought to the US for zoos or for adoption or rehabilitated? How does one offer their help other than through monetary donations? I don't have a lot of money to give but I donate my time to humane societies and youth organizations. Are there other people that are willing to help rescue these animals?
Posted by: Angie | April 5, 2008 11:43 PM
ur great Ingrid!
Posted by: Brianna | April 6, 2008 09:42 PM
...and then we'll tell her photographer to get a snap of her cuddling a dog to disparige all the rumours and that'll be it for the message. Good meeting Public Relations.
Seriously though, good message and indeed, coming from a London bloke, something we should all work towards together.
Posted by: Paul | April 7, 2008 07:36 AM
Rojo -
;) Hello buddy!
Sadly those are great images, but there are SO few farms like that remaining! I don't know of any like that here in the U.S.
With the economic crisis, farmers are selling their lands to Walmarts left and right and those that want to continue have begun factory farming just to break even.
I think that if ALL of America went at least semi-vegetarian (say, meat only once or twice a month) it would save a lot more lives than just a handful of people being vegetarian their whole lives.
If we want real humane farming, like you're speaking of, meat consumption in the U.S will require a really drastic drop and the prices will have to skyrocket.
I'm with you, Rojo. Although I'm vegetarian, I'd love to see all farm animals be treated like horses or other large companions, loving life. We should both work towards that goal - it's a lofty one. ;)
Posted by: Maya, CVT | April 7, 2008 11:11 AM
Maya, Maya, Maya,
How right you are.
When Beirut was being bombed I sent money to "Beirut for the Ethical Tretment Of Animals" to help out their animal shelter.
Since then I have a new group of friends that I share emails with monthly.
I love and adore my new friends in Beirut.
Peace my friend!
Posted by: Judith, Freedom Fighter for Animals | April 7, 2008 12:55 PM
What a beautiful thing, Judith! How cool to know peoples from another land - I bet it is very challenging indeed to run a shelter in that country.
Om Shanti! ;)
Posted by: Maya, CVT | April 7, 2008 01:48 PM
Maya
Don't forget the Christians that are persecuted in Muslim lands, Saudi Arabia comes to mind. Many Christians are not allowed to practice their faith and are treated like second-class citizens (also heavily taxed as in Egypt)
Farm Sanctuary has farm animals living in peace. Take a trip there and find out. But they were rescued from slaughterhouses and cruel conditions NOT from idyllic conditions.
Posted by: Ana | April 7, 2008 03:13 PM
This video is so moving. Thank you so much for it.
Posted by: Eric from NY | April 7, 2008 03:50 PM
Ana,
Is this the same Farm Sanctuary that is also run by Gene Baur?
We just attended a wonderful book signing party in San Diego down by the beach where there is a wonderful Vegan shop.
His new book is called Farm Sanctuary.
And I just received an email telling me Opie passed on from cancer.
He was just a baby when he had been left to die in a field when someone found him and brought this very ill little calf to the Sanctuary
and nursed back to health.
Opie was 18 years old.
Rest in peace sweet boy.
My husband and I are going to visit the Sanctuary here in Calif.
Peace my friend!
Posted by: Judith, Freedom Fighter for Animals | April 7, 2008 04:26 PM
Hi Ana!
I'm sorry, I'm not sure what you meant by the first comment, it kind of went over my head. ;) LOL sorry.
I know of several farm sanctuaries and they are wonderful.
I would argue that unless eating meat and raising meat becomes illegal, it should be required by law that all farms with animals must pass the same standards that Farm Sancutary has for thier animals.
Until everyone stops eating meat, I think that is the only solution.
;) Peace!
Posted by: Maya, CVT | April 7, 2008 04:30 PM
Hi Maya: To clarify: In Muslim nations Christians are perecuted daily. Read my comment again. There exists a copious amount of data to substantiate this. Look at both sides of the issue. The Muslims and Arabs you speak of do not respect the rights of Christians in their lands.
Judith
I met and hugged Opie!!!!!
Posted by: Ana | April 8, 2008 03:42 PM
Could everyone please sign this petition please.
These horrid men are killing this sweet pig in a horrible way.
It's for care 2.
Thank you all so much.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/379159800
Posted by: Judith, Freedom Fighter for Animals | April 8, 2008 05:34 PM
Hi maya,Certainly in highly populated areas land prices exclude anything other than intensive farming.
With the price of grains I'm not sure that factory farms have a great future, but there will always be pasture, and grazing lands unsuitable for crops. Life for those animals really can't be far from natural, nor joyless.
99% plus of Aussie sheep graze in open fields all their lives, conceive and give birth naturally(very little AI in the industry), and interact with their peers - except for the 3 minutes a year at shearing.
Even if meat consumption were to drop here or in the US China and asian markets in general are growing at an unprecedented rate, it is conceivable that regular vegetarian meals will become the norm in many households simply because of the expense of meat.
Posted by: rojo | April 9, 2008 07:28 AM
Ana,
That is so wonderful.
You were so lucky to have met this wonderful little guy.
Gene is such a wonderful man.
And his book is just wonderful.
I wish Larry and I could have met Opie.
I watched a special on 60 minutes about what the Christians go through in these countries,they say they have to hide most of the time in order to practice their faith.
If they are caught they are most likely murdered.
So, so horrific.
It is so terrible for these people.
Peace my friend!!!
Posted by: Judith, Freedom Fighter for Animals | April 9, 2008 03:01 PM
Because of Peta's dedication to informing people of the cruelty in animal food production I'm a vegan. Thank you Ingrid and Peta. Such a simple concept but for the will to practice it.
Posted by: lynda downie | April 10, 2008 12:28 AM