Peter's talk last night went really really well. I was surprised by the large turnout. We had reserved PLC 180, which is a pretty big lecture hall, and it was at least half full if not more. A lot of folks looked like the hippie kids from the Lorax, but there were also some local peace activists, and John and his mom came as well (who both deserve big hugs after helping me so much with this).
I got there early to table for Students for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, REALLY YUMMY vegan chocolate chip cookies in tow, and talked to a few people before the event. Peter came up to the table shortly before six and introduced himself and thanked me for being involved and helping out and I blushed. He's cute. And vegan. Man. :3 We talked about the use of animals on campus. I didn't realize that in addition to zebrafish, there are (or at least were as of 2005) rabbits as well as two non-human primates being tested on as well. He got this information from a USDA FIA request that he found online. I was a bit surprised, because I'd been told there was no more testing on monkeys done.
Around 6.10 Daniel introduced Peter, who stepped up to the podium to loud applause. He introduced himself, and then introduced the documentary we watched for the first hour:
Behind the Mask, a documentary directed by an animal rights lawyer about the ALF, direct action, and animal liberation activists. It was an amazing film, mostly talking about fur farms and animal testing laboratories and the activists who talked about their experiences. Which, btw, I've waffled about animal testing before, but now my stance is that I'm definitely against it, if anyone wants more information I will be happy to round some up.
It was very hard to watch at points. Seeing what is done to animals, especially beagles and monkeys, is intolerable. I was crying at numerous points during the film. There was one point when an undercover activist at a lab filmed a lab tech beating and then shaking a beagle because it didn't want to get injected with whatever was in the syringe. I felt angry and sorrowful and the only thing that kept me from being incredibly upset was knowing that I don't eat animals, I don't buy products tested on animals or that contain animal products, that I'm trying to make a difference.
The film also talked about activists, and one they mentioned was a girl named
Jill Phipps, a British animal rights activist who was killed in 1995. The film pointed out that all of these people who have been to jail, people who have been killed, NONE OF THEM have ever hurt anybody, human or non-human. It's appalling that the U.S. government has named ecoterrorism and the ALF the number one domestic terrorist threat today. Yes, lanky and bespectacled and compassionate Peter sure is threatening. Opening cages. I'm really worried for my safety.
After the documentary Peter talked about himself and his experiences. He started off talking about what had made him start being involved in direct action. He had been vegan already in Seattle for a long time, but one night a friend showed up at his house, covered in feathers. Not far from where they lived and skateboarded many times, was a chicken slaughterhouse. They climbed up on a box and peeked in the windows and within a matter of minutes, they saw hundreds of birds being strung up and then slaughtered. That was when he decided he had had enough. He and this friend pulled out a map and planned a road trip to Wisconsin and South Dakota to release animals bred for fur from their cages. On a shoestring budget, they released at least 8,000 animals including mink and fox during a few weeks time (more info:
Wiki site on Peter). I found this amazing, and he spoke very candidly and honestly.
He also talked about his time in prison. He pointed out some of the hypocrisy inherent in jailing animal rights activists, and just what kind of FUCKERY the whole thing is. Our tax dollars are going towards jailing and feeding compassionate caring people who commit selfless acts of humanity and courage, most of whom get put in there for inflated charges (the FBI tried to charge Peter with EXTORTION...wrap your head around that one). After he got out earlier this year, he gets put under surveillance, and followed, etc...the government doesn't do this to rapists and murderers. Maybe we should think about prioritizing a little bit.
He talked a bit about being straightedge, and vegan, and some other things. He ended with the hopeful and positive message that one person can make a difference, which I truly believe as well.
After he talked I went and sat at the SETA table, talked to some people about veganism and animal rights, dealt with the annoying hippie kid, was told many many times that my cookies were delicious :3, and then got a ride home so I could take care of the SETA sign and such.
Anyway. The talk was really good, I was really pleased with the turnout, but it was a really stressful day compounded by some school stuff and I didn't get much sleep last night (got home at 10 after leaving at 4.30, ate dinner at 10.30) and I kind of just want to go to sleeeeeeeep. Going home from work at around 2 to go home, run to Safeway (lame) to get some baking supplies (semi-sweet chocolate chippers, flour, canola oil, applesauce, etc), then bakebakebakebakebake, then a Christmas party at Aaron's. Hurrah!
I need a nap.
P.S. Emma said my cookies were one of the best cookies she'd ever had, ever. Squee! Thanks Isa Chandra-Moskowitz for making me into a vegan baking domestic goddess/terrorist! :3
