C Kris Carr Kris At Home Activism Uplifts &InspiresUs (from thecouch) Fighting for Animals Food System of Earth’s Biggest Threats ForMercy AnimalsTackles One Trans farm ing the L
Compassionate Living Disease Hotbeds Investigation inMexico New Undercover SUMMER 2020 were sacks of unwanted potatoes. Tyson DEAR FRIENDS, Foods claimed the food supply chain was “breaking.” But we animal advocates know our food system was already broken. It’s just As advocates for a more compassionate and that now, more than ever, its fractures are equitable society, we are accustomed to the on full display. world not feeling “normal.” For us, normal is knowing that billions of animals are We recognize too that the food system is suffering for the sake of human taste buds. not the only system in desperate need of Normal is watching major meat companies’ change. The Black Lives Matter movement «ÀwÌÃ}ÀÜ>ÃÌ i}À>ÌÜÀiÀÃ ÌÌÌ iÃÌÀiiÌÃ>vÌiÀÌ i ÀÀwVÕÀ`iÀ toiling in their plants and the farmers raising of George Floyd at the hands of police. their animals languish in poverty. Normal is Mercy For Animals joined in solidarity remembering that the machine that churns because we know, in the words of Martin billions of animals into meat is also largely Luther King Jr., “Injustice anywhere is a responsible for the greatest public health threat to justice everywhere.” We honor and and ecological crises of our time—crises live this principle—we must stand against that disproportionately harm the most oppression no matter its form. oppressed people. As you will discover in the following pages, And yes, normal is systemic racism. It is at Mercy For Animals, we are working speciesism. It is sexism. It is oppression. harder than ever to ensure the world does not go back to a pre-pandemic normal. Being an advocate for the rights of the most We’ve pivoted and launched powerful vulnerable sometimes feels like seeing the new initiatives to instead move our society world through distorting glasses—and then forward, and we are joining with allied realizing it’s the world, not our lenses, that is ÛiiÌÃ>ÕÌi`w} ÌvÀV >}i° misshapen. But we cannot do this work without you. COVID-19 has, to a large extent, Thank you for standing with us during these universalized the recognition of suffering all challenging times. Together, we are creating around us. Never before has a global crisis a world where all beings are respected, Coverr Photo: Bill Miles touched so many so directly—or so plainly protected, and free. revealed that the “normal” life so many had snugly settled into was the real distortion. With hope and appreciation,
The virus has ripped through slaughter plants and sickened thousands of workers, causing a “backlog” of animals who are exterminated en masse on farms with no Leah Garcés more regard for their sentience than if they President Fresh New Arrivals
New looks for the summer season! ShopMFA.com Through their Feed A Million+ pledge, plant-based company Beyond Meat is working to provide over a million Beyond Above and LÕÀ}iÀÃÌÌ ÃiÃÌ>vviVÌi` LÞÌ i "6 £«>`iV° We “Heart” Tofu ƂVVÀ`}ÌiÜÀiÃi>ÀV vÀÌ i “Beyond” >ÀÛ>À`-V v*ÕLVi>Ì ] i>Ì}ÌvÕV>ÜiÀÞÕÀÀÃv i>ÀÌ`Ãi>Ãit
Tik Tok Tabitha
Actress, vlogger, and Mercy For Animals supporter Tabitha Brown has gone viral on TikTok, amassing an impressive ÌÜvÜiÀÃ ÕÃÌÕÃÌwÛiÜiiÃtwÛiÜiiÃt Kindness on Cable
VEG Animal Planet has released a new documentary series—Saved by the BarnpÌ >ÌvÜÃ Ì i>`ÛiÌÕÀiÃv > TREND McKernan, who converted Ãv>Ì iÀ½Ãv>Þv>ÀÌ an animal sanctuary. SUMMER
A Blossoming Market Plant-based company Upton’s Naturals has debuted a new vegan wà >`ivÀL>>> blossom at Whole Foods stores nationwide.ationwide. Billie Pays It CredCr it: i
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and her brother, Finneas,nneas, r amst highlighted plant-basedbased businesses during the EEartharth ime. co com >Þi`Ìv6iÀâ½Ãâ½Ã #PayItForwardLivedLive Plant-Based Perks online concert.ncert. A 237,000-person study conducted by the dating website EliteSingles reveals that vegans and vegetarians are more popular on dating apps. Leaving a legacy Photo: Sylvia Elzafon
Written by Nik Tyler.
She supported Mercy For Susan was loyal, honest, outspoken, intelligent, kind-hearted, and so much fun. She was one Animals because our work of my best friends. We supported each other gave her hope through challenges, celebrated victories, . laughed often, shed some tears, and sometimes Ì`>ViLÀi>ÃÌ ivwVi°-ÕÃ>>`i every day at Mercy For Animals memorable. Irene was suffering increased physical pain and disability when her partner, Erika, passed away in Outside the organization, our lives intertwined 2016. Nevertheless, during this tough period her in a way neither of us could have imagined. I ÀiÃÛiÞÌiÃwi`]>ÃÃ i`iÌwi`iÛi accompanied Susan on much of her journey more strongly with the pain and restriction faced through cancer. In the face of unfathomable by farmed animals. At the time, Irene needed to adversity, she was indelibly funny and remarkably reserve her income for medical expenses, so she courageous, graceful, and strong. made a bequest to Mercy For Animals to further her mission of compassion. In the midst of her treatment, she stayed with me on a cold street in the middle of the night for Irene’s love for animals never waned, even as she over three hours as we tried to help a frightened transitioned to an assisted living facility. Visits animal who had been hit by a car. That night, I from Zoey, a therapy dog, soothed her spirits. saw who Susan truly was: someone who put the Zoey brought light and love to Irene, and Irene plights of others before her own. Susan was a returned these to Zoey. true hero.
The way Irene’s friends talk about her, it’s Irene made the world brighter for all. Mercy For She dedicated her life to animal advocacy, no wonder her legacy is of compassion and Animals is humbled to continue her legacy. tirelessly uplifting organizations, campaigns, goodwill: “The world needs more Irenes. If we iÛiÌÃ]>`viÜ>VÌÛÃÌð iÀw>ÃÝÞi>ÀÃ] had more people like her, the world would be Susan used her extraordinary talents to helm a much better place.” As a gay woman, Irene Mercy For Animals’ most successful galas and endured years of ostracization. But rather than other special events. become resentful and hurt others in response, By including Mercy For Animals in she developed even more empathy and your will or living trust, you can help determination to help any person or animal in build a kinder future for animals long She showed me what it means need. after your passing. to live a life of service, A champion of many social justice causes, she purpose, and dedication to was delighted when her city council legislated To learn more, please visit against anti-gay discrimination. As much as she MercyForAnimals.org/will a cause greater than myself, loved people, Irene felt particular compassion or contact with an open heart. Susan for animals. She rescued dogs and became a [email protected] longtime Mercy For Animals supporter. Irene unequivocally changed the once remarked that she thought about animals world, and me, for the better. every day and was saddened by their suffering.
4 COMPASSIONATE LIVING SUMMER 2020 ACTION REPORT 01 Plant Powered
Mercy For Animals launched an exciting new Plants to the People initiative. We partnered with restaurants and allied organizations to donate and deliver 2,250 «>ÌL>Ãi`i>ÃÌ V>} and New York City families >À`iÃÌ ÌLÞ "6 £°
02 04 At Home Activism March On
Mercy For Animals staff and volunteers participated in annual With most of the world International Women’s Day marches in Mexico City and Monterrey. sheltering in place, the Mercy Throughout history, women have spearheaded countless social justice For Animals team wants you movements, including the animal protection movement. Mercy For to know we are still here Ƃ>ýÌi>]V«Ãi`>À}iÞvÜi]ÀiyiVÌÃÌ Ã°7Ì ÕÌ for you. We’ve handpicked Ì i]Ì iÀ}>â>ÌVÕ`Ì>iÃÕV yÕiÌ>«À}ÀiÃÃvÀ recipes, activities, and simple animals. actions to help animals and Ûi}>LÕÃiÃÃiÃÜ i social distancing. AtHomeActivism.com
03 Joining Forces Against Cruelty 05
Mercy For Animals India Stop Slaughter Foundation and other groups joined forces to urge the Indian ÀÀwVv>ÀÃ>Õ} ÌiÀ]Ü V VÕ`iÃÃÜÞÃÕvvV>Ì}LÀ`à health minister to shut down >`Ã>}«}iÌà i>`wÀÃÌÌÌ i}ÀÕ`]ÕÃÌÃÌ«°/ ÀÕ} illegal meat and animal markets petitions and meetings, we’ve urged Congress and the USDA not to to prevent the emergence of fund the killing and instead allocate stimulus funds to farmers who new diseases and limit the Ü>ÌÌÌÀ>ÃÌÌ«>ÌL>Ãi`v>À}° ëÀi>`v "6 £° SUMMER 2020 COMPASSIONATE LIVING 5 INSPIRING Intersectionality IN THE ANIMAL PROTECTION MOVEMENT
Why should members of the Lawyer Kimberlé Crenshaw coined LGBTQ+ community consider “intersectionality” to describe going plant-based? the unique discrimination she experienced as a Black woman. Emilia: Since then, the term has expanded Eating plants is gay. I mean and as a framework for understanding “gay” in “happy” in the queer how one’s social and political sense. Introducing more plants into identities—gender, race, class, and your diet alters your perspective so on—can create unique forms of on food. History constricts oppression. marginalized queer and trans voices, but we offer broadening views of love and identity. Nourishing your body with plants Vegan drag queen Honey is similarly expansive. How do we construct a more compassionate LaBronx, Campaign world for (human) animals and Specialist Emilia Cameron, dismantle intersecting systems of and Corporate Partnerships oppression and structural violence? Look to plants. Manager Erin Kwiatkowski
discuss the importance What parallels do you see of intersectionality in our between animal rights and LGBTQ+ rights? movement.
Honey: Growing up gay, I How long have you been can certainly identify with the plant-based, and what got underdog. I know what it’s like to you started? grow up seeing socially sanctioned judgment, hatred, and violence Honey: It kind of took a village, Photo: Davide Laffe against people like me. All forms LÕÌÌ iÛiÀÞwÀÃÌ«iÀÃÜ iÛiÀ of oppression are interconnected. put veganism on my radar was impact can grow exponentially. My podcast, Big Fat Vegan Radio, We are so used to “otherizing” my friend who gave me a copy of The vegan movement has made just celebrated its eight-year our fellow Earth inhabitants that the book The Face on Your Plate: mistakes along the way, including anniversary. I have been doing a we believe they don’t have the The Truth About Food by Jeffrey co-opting the phrase “BlackAll series of episodes dealing with the same feelings or deserve the same Moussaieff Masson. By the end of Lives Matter” and vilifying other various aspects of coronavirus as regard as us. I was born and raised it, I knew it was not going to be victims of factory farming, like it relates to veganism. I discussed in that kind of world, but I can just for a day. I knew this would be immigrant laborers. This has closed the medical and public health constantly work on dismantling the rest of my life. And now it’s 10 hearts instead of opening them. aspects with a pulmonologist with these belief systems. and a half years later, and I’ve never Our oppressions are entangled, so a background in epidemiology, looked back. the best way to build a just world and I spoke with a panel of disaster for all is together. preppers about how to make sure Why is intersectionality your vegan pantry is stocked for a Keep up to date with important for the vegan How has the pandemic crisis like this. movement? Honey LaBronx! shaped your activism for animals? I’ve been pretty vocal lately on Erin: Intersectional vegans are social media that we will just keep VeganDragQueen.com committed to ending oppression Honey: I’ve been spending a seeing more and more pandemics in all forms. This does not mean lot of my time trying to educate if people keep asserting their right decentering nonhuman animals in people on social media so that to eat animals, consequences be @HoneyLaBronx our activism; instead, it means our this is more-common knowledge. damned.
6 COMPASSIONATE LIVING SUMMER 2020 Photo: Ed Anderson © 2020
CARAMELIZED LEEK & SEARED MUSHROOM TOAST
SPREAD: In a skillet, toast pine nuts over medium-high heat, shaking the «>]ÕÌÌ iÞÃÌ>ÀÌÌÌÕÀ}`i°*Õ`ÕÌÃÌ>wi«>ÃÌiwith a mortar and pestle. Add olive oil, mustard, agave, a pinch of salt, INGREDIENTS: and a few turns of pepper. Stir well. Ѯ 3/4 cup pine nuts TOAST: Ѯ 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp. extra- virgin olive oil, plus more for 1. Clean mushrooms. Remove tough stems. Chop larger mushrooms brushing for fairly uniform pieces. In a cast-iron skillet, warm one tablespoon Ѯ 2 1/2 tbsp. whole-grain olive oil over medium heat. When oil shimmers, add mushrooms and mustard a generous pinch of salt. Stir often and scrape the pan until the liquid Ѯ 1 tsp. darkk agave nectar from the mushrooms evaporates and the mushrooms start to brown. Fine sea salt Transfer mushrooms to a bowl. Ѯ Ѯ Ground white pepper 2. In the same skillet, warm one tablespoon olive oil over medium-low Ѯ 1 pound wild mushrooms heat until shimmering. Add leek. Cook until softened. Add thyme and a Ѯ Kosherr salt pinch of salt. Cook until leek browns and is fragrant. Transfer to a bowl. Ѯ £VÕ«wiÞV ««i`ii 3. Position an oven rack about six inches from the broiler. Preheat broiler Ѯ £ÌLë°Vi`Ì Þi to high. Arrange bread on a baking sheet. Broil until golden brown. Flip Ѯ 4 slices rustic bread the bread. Broil for about 30 seconds. Remove from the oven quickly. Ѯ 1 tbsp. chopped tarragon Ѯ >ÞÃi>Ã>Ì 4. Brush each slice with olive oil. Slather on the spread. Top it with the leek mixture. Evenly distribute mushrooms over that. Garnish with a ÌÞLÌvÌ>ÀÀ>}°-i>ÃÜÌ y>ÞÃ>Ì>`>viÜÌÕÀÃv«i««iÀ° Available for purchase at these major retailers: Reprinted with permission from Vegetable Kingdom: The Abundant World of Vegan Recipes by Bryant Terry, © 2020. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
SUMMER 2020 COMPASSIONATE LIVING 7 For decades, Mercy For Animals has exposed the plight of animals in factory farms and slaughterhouses through our
groundbreaking undercover investigative work.
We’ve shined a spotlight We’ve told the powerful stories of point out what is wrong but to animals trapped in this system—stories actively build a better world for animals. on the darkest parts of that have moved millions of people, This is the goal of our innovative our food system, bringing massive companies, and governments Transfarmation Project, which was born to address this problem. when we asked ourselves, What does the world’s attention to that better world look like, and how do Our investigations are as critical as ever; we get there? Instead of thinking only the cruelty of an industry we must continue to show the world what about how to end factory farming, what that treats animals like animals endure behind closed doors. if we reimagined our approach and But we must also use the power of sought ways to transition farm facilities to commodities. storytelling to advance the other side of something better—places to grow things our mission. After all, we aim not only to like mushrooms, hemp, and hydroponic
8 COMPASSIONATE LIVING SUMMER 2020 I hope this creates a lot of new jobs and new revenue for the farm. Farmers in America are in bad shape.
–Mike Weaver
greens? What if we connected farmers Farmers like Mike Weaver>Ài>Ài>`Þ >`Ã>à Ãv>À½ÃiÛÀiÌ> with the companies creating meat and L>â}>«>Ì ÌÜ>À`Ì ÃLiÌÌiÀvÕÌÕÀi° vÌ«ÀÌ°Ƃ`vVÕÀÃi]no animals Ì iÀ«À`ÕVÌÃvÀ«>ÌöƂ`w>Þ] ƂÃ>vÀiÀVÌÀ>VÌV Viv>ÀiÀ] i will be harmed on his farm! what if we supported these farmers LiÜÌ iÜ ÃÌiÌ i ÀÀÀÃvv>VÌÀÞ ÜÌ >iÌÜÀvÃViÌÃÌÃ]>ÀiÌiÀÃ] farming and exposed the abuse chickens i½ÃÃÌÀÞÃiv>ÞÜiÜ iVÃÌÃ]>`>VÌÛÃÌö ÃÕvviÀÌÃ>ÌÃvÞÌ iÜÀ`½Ã`i>`vÀ ÌiÌ ÀÕ} Ì i/À>Ãv>À>Ì*ÀiVÌ° V i>«i>Ì° à >À}ÃÌÀiÃi Ã]ÜiÜ«>Ì> The Transfarmation Project offers a picture of what a more compassionate Ü>ÞvÀv>ÀiÀÃÌ«>ÀÌV«>ÌiÌ Ã v`iVÞÜi>`}Ìi ÀiLÕ`}]ÌLiVi>«>ÀÌvÌ i >ÛiiÌvv>ÀiÀÃ]>VÌÛÃÌÃ] ÃÕÌ>`i>ÛiÌ i«ÀLiLi `° iÌÀi«ÀiiÕÀÃ]ÃViÌÃÌÃ]>`Ì iÀ Our mission is to support farmers in Û>ÌÀÃÌtransfarmÕÀv`ÃÞÃÌi° transitioning out of animal agriculture He got out of the chicken and into growing crops used for plant- business and began building L>Ãi`«À`ÕVÌð ÃiÌ }iÜ°"iLÞi] i VÛiÀÌi` Ã`V ViL>Àà The result: a better future Ì}ÀÜ`ÕÃÌÀ> i«° for farmers and their families, for consumers, for animals, and for the planet. i½i>ÀÃ}wV>ÌÞÀiVi] i«ÞvÕÀÌiÃ>Ã>Þ«i«i]
Check out a video about Mike’s story, and join the movement toward a better food future at TransfarmationProject.org!
SUMMERSUMMER 20202020 COMPASSIONATE LIVING 9 ! " ##
Slaughterhouse workers account for a disproportionate share of coronavirus cases, and hazardous workplace conditions may have fueled the spread. These workers—who already suffer some of the highest illness and injury rates of “Rather than search any industry—must often stand shoulder to shoulder, contrary to CDC safety for long-term, systemic guidelines, to keep up with dizzying slaughter-line speeds. solutions to our broken Last year the USDA removed the cap on food system, the industry slaughter speeds for pigs and in 2018 allowed an unlimited number of chicken stoked fears of shortages.” slaughterhouses to increase line speeds to nearly three birds per second. These decisions endanger workers and put animals at risk of even greater suffering. and that “millions of animals” would be The president’s order does not solve Mercy For Animals, along with like- “FGRQRWNCVGF,” an industry term for the problem, for workers or animals. minded groups, ƂNGFVYQNCYUWKVU killing animals en masse at farms. Since slaughterhouses are hotbeds challenging the USDA’s actions, but for for COVID-19, many workers will get now the increases remain. Approved methods for such killing, sick, and labor shortages will persist. outlined by the American Veterinary And because the meat industry has not According to the CDC, thousands of Medical Association, can be downright stopped breeding and raising farmed slaughter plant workers have tested VÀÕi]VÕ`}VÛiÀ}yVÃvLÀ`à animals, QPHCTOOCUUMKNNKPIYKNNNKMGN[ positive for the coronavirus. Some have with HQCOUQVJG[UWHHQECVG, commonly EQPVKPWG. iÛi`i`°ƂÃÌ iÕLiÀvVwÀi` used to kill entire populations during cases surged, several slaughterhouses >Û>yÕÕÌLÀi>ð Mercy For Animals launched a campaign nationwide were shut down. These demanding that taxpayer money be used closures created a backlog affecting Another horric method is for long-term, systemic solutions, like GXGT[QPGCNQPIVJGEJCKP—including “thumping,” or killing piglets by JGNRKPIHCTOGTUVTCPUKVKQPVQRNCPV millions of animals stuck at farms. DCUGFHCTOKPI—not funding an industry slamming them headrst into that exploits workers and kills and Rather than search for long-term, systemic the ground. discards millions of animals. solutions to our broken food system, the industry stoked fears of shortages. To make matters worse, despite growing concerns about slaughter plant outbreaks, Tyson Foods placed a full-page ad in the ;QWECPJGNR8KUKV New York Times, Washington Post, and President Trump issued an executive MercyForAnimals.org/NoSlaughterBailout Arkansas Democrat-Gazette warning order compelling slaughterhouses to UVC[ that millions of pounds of meat would QRGP under the Defense Production Act, VQVCMGCEVKQP “disappear” from the nation’s food supply which may protect meat companies from liability over worker safety.
SUMMER 2020 COMPASSIONATE LIVING 11 Slaughterhouses became hotbeds of infection, and facilities shut down. But the specter of animal slaughter still loomed; in fact, it took even more disturbing forms—mass suffocation, shooting, and fatal overheating of conscious animals.
This nightmare had been in motion for decades, but this year the meat industry and governments accelerated it. Mercy For Animals swiftly rose to >VÌ>` >ýÌÃÌ««i`w} Ì}ÃVi° The CARES Act passes. With MercyMercy ForFor Animals Ƃ-Ì wi` Our Transfarmation team sends a a $23 billion allocation to president Leah Garcés slaughterhouse in letter to Secretary of Agriculture April 3 April 8 farmers and no guidance publishes an op-ed in Sioux Falls closes after April 9 Sonny Perdue urging distribution March 29 March for use of the funds, the law the Hill arguing that the a COVID-19 outbreak of CARES Act stimulus funds to sparked a Big Ag lobbying most likely cause of the among workers. farmers looking to transition to frenzy for even more money. next pandemic will be plant-based farming. factory farming.
April 10 Farmers begin killing animals en masse on farms, starting with chickens. An Iowa sheriff and health Common methods include Mercy For Animals launches a video vwV>ÃÃi`>iÌÌiÀÌ/ÞÃ suffocating birds under a series revealing slaughterhouse workers
April 9 incentivized to stay on the job in April 17 Foods urging the company to layer of foam and shutting close a local slaughter plant down ventilation so that dangerous proximity to one another as COVID-19 cases among they overheat. and mass on-farm slaughter—called workers surge. “depopulation” by the industry.
Mercy For Animals introduces the No Tyson Foods releases full-page President Trump Slaughter Bailout campaign calling on ads in the New York Times, declares meat the USDA, the National Chicken Council, Washington Post, and Arkansas and poultry plants April 28 April 20 April 27 and the National Pork Producers Council Democrat-Gazette declaring Reuters reports that critical infrastructure not to use taxpayer dollars for mass on- that millions of animals will farmers are forcing and orders them to farm killing and instead use them to help be killed on farms due to pregnant pigs to abort continue operations. April 27 farmers transition to plant-based farming. slaughterhouse closures. their piglets.
Mercy For Animals calls on The House of Representatives Along with 21 other The Washington Post supporters nationwide to urge introduces the HEROES Act. organizations, Mercy For interviews Mercy For May 7 May 13 May 13
their representatives to reject The bill fails to mandate slower Animals asks Congress to April 28 Animals president Leah the HEROES Act until it slows slaughter lines and provides prohibit faster slaughter lines for Garcés for an article about slaughter lines and denies funding for mass on-farm birds, pigs, and cows to avoid slaughterhouse closures funds for mass slaughter. slaughter, particularly for pigs. greater animal suffering and and cruel on-farm mass even closer quarters for workers. killing.
The HEROES Act remains in the hands of our U.S. senators. Fueled by your support, Mercy For Animals is determined The New York Times The HEROES Act Sen. Cory Booker and eight other senators send that this bill be amended to reports that farmers passes the House of a letter to senate leadership requesting a halt to protect farmed animals or die May 14 have resorted May 15 Representatives as May 28 higher-speed slaughter for chickens, pigs, and Ì i-i>ÌiyÀ° to shooting and drafted, without a cows. Mercy For Animals calls for this request gassing pigs en slowing of line speeds to be a directive of the HEROES Act and urges LEARN MORE AT masse. and with funding for supporters to ask their senators to oppose the bill mass on-farm slaughter. until it is. A Mercy For Animals investigative release MercyForAnimals.org/ iÝi«wiÃÌ i ÀÀÀÃv } ëii`Ã>Õ} ÌiÀ° Impact ÕÌiÃëÕLVw}ÕÀiÃÌÕÌÌ iLiiwÌà v«>ÌL>Ãi`i>Ì}]>`Û>ÌÛi Ûi}>«À`ÕVÌà ÌÌ i>ÀiÌi>ÀÞ iÛiÀÞ`>Þ°9iÃ]>V«>ÃÃ>ÌiviÃÌÞi >ÃvwV>ÞLiVi>ÃÌÀi>° ÕÌ V Ã}ÌÌi>Ì>>ÃÃ>ÞÌ } LÕÌiÜ°v>VÌ]Ã}wV>Ì ÃÌÀV> ÀiVÀ`ÃÀiÛi>>ÞV«>ÃÃ>Ìi «i«iÜ ÀivÕÃi`ÌVÌÀLÕÌiÌ A History ii`iÃÃ>>ÃÕvviÀ}° of Compassion
iÀi>ÀiÕÃÌ>viÜ ÃÌÀV>w}ÕÀià who helped pioneer the meatless movement!
ÕÌiÃëÕLVw}ÕÀiÃÌÕÌÌ iLiiwÌÃvv Pythagoras «>ÌL>Ãi`i>Ì}]>`Û>ÌÛiÛi}>ÛÛiÛiiÛÛi}>i «À`ÕVÌà ÌÌ i>ÀiÌi>ÀÞiÛiÀÞ`>Þ°9iÃ]` Þ9ià >``ÌÌ>LÀ>Ì>Ì i>ÌV>] >V«>ÃÃ>ÌiviÃÌÞi >ÃvwV>ÞLiVii *ÞÌ >}À>ÃÜ>ÃivÌ iÃÌyÕiÌ> >ÃÌ>ÃÌÀi>° ÕÌV Ã}ÌÌi>Ì>>Ãà V Ãà >ViÌÀii« ë iÀðiÜ>Ã>Ãv>Õà >>Þ>ÞÌ }LÕÌiÜ°v>VÌ]Ã}wV>Ì ÃÌÀV>Ì }} LÕLÕÌLÕÕÌÌ iiÜ°Ü° vv>Vv> Ì]Ã}}}w vÀLi}Ûi}iÌ>À>]>ÃÜiÀi ÃÃÌÕ`iÌð ÀiVÀiVÀ`ÃÀiÛi>>ÞV«>ÃÃ>Ìi«i«iÀ``ÃÃÀÃÀÀiiÛiÛi> >>>>ÞVÞÞ ««>ÃÃ>ÃÃ>Ìi>>ÌÌÌii «ii«««i v>VÌ]vÀ>ÞÞi>Àëi«iÕÃi`Ì iÌiÀ Ü Ü ÀivÕÃi`ÌVÌÀLÕÌiÌii`iÃÃ>> ÀÀiivvÕÃi`i` ÌVÌÀÌÀ LÕÌiÌii`iii`i`iiÃiÃiÃÃ>à > º*ÞÌ >}Ài>`iÌ»Ì`iÃVÀLi>Ûi}iÌ>À> ÃÕÃÕvviÀ}°ÕÕvvvviviÀiiÀ}}}° `iÌ°*ÞÌ >}À>ÃÃ>`\
For as long as men massacre animals, Albert Einstein
they will kill each other. ÌÞÃƂLiÀÌ ÃÌi>}Ì iÃÌ Indeed, he who sows } ÞÀi}>À`i`ÃViÌÃÌÃv>Ìip i Ü>Ã>Ã>>>ÛiÀ°7 i iLiV>i the seeds of murder Ûi}iÌ>À>>ÌiÀvi] ivÌiÜÀÌi>LÕÌÌ i and pain cannot LiiwÌÃvÌi>Ì}i>Ì\ reap joy Besides agreeing with and love. the aims of vegetarianism" for aesthetic and moral reasons, it is my view that " a vegetarian manner of living by its purely physical effect on the human temperament would most LiiwV>ÞyÕiViÌ iÌ of mankind.
14 " *Ƃ--" Ƃ/ 6 SUMMER 2020 Dick Gregory
Dick Gregory, an actor and pioneering Inspiredd activist for human and civil rights, highlighted by thesese the connection between our food choices and the civil rights movement’s philosophy compassionatessionate of nonviolence: pioneers? Become a Mercy For Animals volunteer! Because I’m a civil rights activist, I am also During these unprecedented times, our organizing team has been hard at work, an animal rights activist. from delivering plant-based meals to Animals and humans Coretta Scott King communities in need through our Plants to the People initiative to launching a 10-part suffer and die alike. webinar series—complete with workshops and discussions—on AtHomeActivism.com. Violence causes the Coretta Scott King was a champion for women, same pain, the same people of color, and the gay community. She also spent the last 10 years of her life as a vegan Find out how you can get involved! Email us spilling of blood, the because she knew that animal rights were a at [email protected]. same stench of death, social justice issue too. In her words: the same arrogant, The greatnessgreatness ofof a cruel and vicious taking communitymunity isis mostmost of life. accuratelyately measuredmeasure"d bbyy the compassionateassionate actionsactions ofof " its members.mmbersbers. Audre The incredible Audre LordeLorde was not only an accomplished author and poet but a vegan. As a lesbian woman of color, Lorde believed that there was “no such thing as a single-issue struggle” because we did not “live single-issue lives.” Lorde ëiÌ iÀviw} Ì}>}>ÃÌÕÃÌViÃ]ÃÕV >à racism, sexism, and homophobia, and extended her compassion to animals. COVID-19 brought unprecedented challenges for everyone and proved that our work couldn’t be more relevant or vital. As the world rapidly changed, Mercy For Animals found new avenues for our mission to raise awareness, build a better food system, and protect the most vulnerable. In the past few months, we’ve united people for an inspiring concert, assembled resources to help supporters cope and stay active for animals, and launched an initiative to bring compassion and nourishment to people in crisis.
Activism in the Time of Coronavirus Zooming Together Several restaurants and food trucks were eager Rain Phoenix captivated listeners with her song to take part, preparing a variety of healthy “Time Is the Killer,” encouraged everyone to consider a plant-based lifestyle, and shared, With most of the world sheltering in place, the and delicious meals. Our Plants to the People “I would do anything for Mercy For Animals, for Mercy For Animals team wanted to ensure our initiative is a great way to protect and foster what they do for the animals, for the voiceless.” supporters felt connected and empowered. compassion for animals while supporting And American Idol star Catie Turner sang an We handpicked recipes, activities, and simple community organizations, local plant-based uplifting acoustic version of the Beatles classic actions to help animals and vegan businesses businesses, and people in need. “Here Comes the Sun.” while social distancing and compiled them on our resource hub, AtHomeActivism.com. Healing Through Music
More than 30 artists joined Mercy For Animals Indeed, brighter for a two-day virtual concert streamed on Facebook Live, Instagram, and Twitter. days are ahead.
The lineup included Grammy Award winners Among the Mýa and Joss Stone; Latin Grammy winner Sie7e; and Broadway stars Alex Boniello, Kathryn many things this Gallagher, Nellie McKay, and Jake Epstein. pandemic has We hosted a series of weekly webinars in April and May on topics such as shown us is that, developing an effective advocacy plan, lobbying for animals, and managing as a movement, we compassion fatigue. are more united The series will conclude with a panel discussion on advancing the animal protection movement and driven than after the pandemic by bringing more people on Terra Naomi board to create a food system that is not only Singer-songwriter kicked off the ever to create a kinder but safer. concert with a beautiful song called “You For Me” and heartfelt thanks to Mercy For Animals better world for all. supporters during a time when “we all need a little extra love and support.” Plants to the People
COVID-19 took a particularly heavy toll on underserved and disadvantaged communities. ƂÃÀi>`Ài«i«iÃÌÀÕ}}i`Ìw` nutritious food, Mercy For Animals partnered with local organizations to donate and deliver 2,250 plant-based meals in some of the hardest-hit areas of Chicago and New York City.
Before a moving rendition of “Over the Rainbow,” Ryan McCartanÀiyiVÌi`Ì >ÌÌ i concert was “a great reminder” not to limit the scope of our compassion. He said, “Compassion for our fellow beings that share this planet is important as well.”
SUMMER 2020 COMPASSIONATE LIVING 17 DISEASE HOTBED
Footage from six factory farms in Mexico reveals alarming conditions.
In a single day, 900 chickens perished from verify consumption. Some eggs had blue an unknown disease at one factory farm stains, having been splashed with the drug- in Mexico. Employees at the facility, where laced water. a Mercy For Animals investigator worked undercover, speculated that the cause was This poses a risk to public health, since Ãi`vyÕ° people consuming these eggs may ingest small doses of antibiotics, which can The surviving birds were given antibiotics, reduce the drugs’ effectiveness in treating by injection or through their drinking water. infections. Through repeated exposure, bacteria can develop resistance to these The antibiotics contained blue dye, which lifesaving drugs. colored the water so workers could easily
18 COMPASSIONATE LIVING SUMMER 2020 Mercy For Animals investigated seven Our investigator documented disgusting +PFWUVTKCNCPKOCNCITKEWNVWTG facilities throughout Jalisco and Nuevo conditions at each of the facilities: OCIIQVU not only hurts animals but León to reveal the atrocious conditions the USWKTOKPIKPHGEGU just feet below eggs vast majority of egg-laying hens in Mexico destined for human consumption; rodents threatens our very existence. endure. scurrying about the barns; and sick hens ignored and left to slowly die, their bodies This cannot continue. We have now seen Ninety percent of all hens rotting in cages with live birds or thrown in how quickly a virus can spread around the piles. world, bringing the most stable economies in Mexico are kept in small, to a halt. ƂNVJ[YKTGECIGUHQTPGCTN[ Ãi>ÃiV>ëÀi>`iÜ`wÀiÌ ÀÕ} their entire lives. these facilities, and many RCVJQIGPU We must work together to shut down these can infect people—workers directly and facilities and build a safer, kinder food system. Intensive production takes a heavy toll on consumers indirectly through consumption the birds, and the overcrowded, unsanitary of contaminated eggs. conditions at these facilities weaken the animals’ immune systems and create the Some pathogens that develop and circulate Join us at among farmed animals have an even wider RGTHGEVDTGGFKPIITQWPFUHQTFKUGCUG. Ài>V °/ iÓääÃÜiyÕ«>`iV]vÀ MercyForAnimals.org/ instance, ultimately struck 214 countries and Volunteer THE RISKS OF killed over 18,000 people. DRUG-RESISTANTISTANT BACTERIA TheTh steady stream of low-doselow antibiotics allowsallo bacteria to become resistant.res
Antibiotics have saved millions of lives, many from potentially Drug-resistantDr infections lethal diseases like meningitis, causecau more than 700,000 tuberculosis, and cholera. deathsde each year. This w}ÕÀiÃÀÃ}°w}
But misuse of antibiotics can lead to resistance among bacteria to ScientistsSci warn if we these vital drugs. don’tdo reverse this trend, wewe could enter a post- antibioticant era, where minor Over 70 percent of antibiotics injuriesinju and common sold are used on farmed animals, infectionsinf can be fatal. often to promote growth and i>LiÌ iÌÃÕÀÛÛiwÌ Þ] crowded, and stressful conditions. In fact,f the World Health OrganizationOrO has declared antibioticant resistance one ofof our greatest global threats. Plant-Based for the In honor of Earth Day 2020, Mercy For Animals launched a campaign asking people to fight climate change from their homes by pledging to eat plant-based, once a week or every day, through our website PlantPledge.org.
Eating more plant-based food is one of And as factory farming pollutes our environmental toll of animal agriculture. Ì ii>ÃiÃÌÜ>ÞÃÌÃ}wV>ÌÞÀi`ÕVi planet, it devours precious resources. Posted across our social media platforms, greenhouse gas emissions and help shape Animal agriculture accounts for 8 percent the video garnered over 33,000 views. a better future for our planet—and every of all human water use, takes up 33 meal makes a difference. Raising animals for percent of the world’s cropland, and is Throughout the Plant Pledge campaign, meat, eggs, and dairy is responsible for a a leading driver of deforestation. we shared a variety of planet-centered facts staggering 14.5 percent of human-induced and informative blog posts on our social greenhouse gas emissions. media pages, encouraging our followers, Plant-based foods, their friends, and anyone interested in on the other hand, are solving the climate crisis to give plant-based By swapping animal products eating a try. We gave those inspired to much kinder to the for tasty plant-based foods, take the pledge a free Vegetarian Starter we can cut our greenhouse gas environment. Guide>`vviÀi`ÃiÛiÀ>ÀiÃÕÀViÃëiVwV to coping with sheltering in place—like emissions from food in half. which plant-based staples to buy at the They require less energy, water, and land grocery store and how to have vegan meals and are responsible for far less pollution. delivered straight to your door—on our For example, a satisfying plant-based website AtHomeActivism.com. 50% Beyond Burger generates an incredible 90 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions With your support, Mercy For Animals can than a beef burger! continue educating and inspiring people to change the world—one delicious meal In the week leading up to Earth Day, we at a time. released a new video outlining the heavy
Raising so many animals—nearly 10 billion land animals in the United States alone—generates not only huge amounts of climate-altering greenhouse gas but tons and tons of waste, commonly stored in massive open-air “lagoons.” Factory farmers pump liquid waste from these pits >`ëÀ>ÞÌÌVÀ«wi`Ã]vÌiÜÌ high-pressure guns, creating a mist that drifts into nearby communities, sickening residents. Runoff from factory farms can also contaminate rivers and groundwater, damaging ecosystems and endangering people, companion animals, and wildlife.
SUMMER 2020 COMPASSIONATE LIVING 21 In April, we sat downdown with New York Times bestselling author, How can we achieve optimum How has eating plant-based health and wellness at this impacted your life? wellness advocate, uncertain time? I went plant-based 17 years ago—right and cancer thriver First, we need to be compassionate with after I was diagnosed with incurable stage ourselves. Our lives have been thrown IV cancer. For me, this diet is delicious Kris Carr, who taught upside down, and there’s a constant medicine. It’s taught me how to love and drumbeat of fear in the background. care for myself at the deepest level. It’s also us how to regain our One of the best things we can do during opened my eyes to our interconnectedness. this pandemic is commit to a mindful mental and physical stress-reduction practice: deep breaths, I’ve always been a huge animal lover. I meditation, time in nature—whatever helps grew up across the street from a dairy health during the you come back home to your heart. farm. As a little girl, I’d visit and love on the animals daily. But I had no idea what pandemic. Second, we need to take care of each other. was really going on. It wasn’t until I got sick Even if you have a healthy immune system, and started to research the best diets for that’s not the case for everyone. Wear a recovery and longevity that the lights went mask when you go out for their protection on for me: and your own.
22 COMPASSIONATE LIVING SUMMER 2020 es What wasn’t working before is now totally Mil Mi M l collapsing—our food system, the economy, Bl Bil
o: social injustice, and so on. But there’s a gift
Phot in the way those cracks have expanded. It creates an opportunity for change. We are each called to be on the compassionate side of history.
I also hope more folks are inspired to take better care of ourselves. When we do, we’re
more capable of weathering storms and Photo: ©Kate Lewis yiÝ}ÕÀÀiÃiVipÜ V iµÕ«ÃÕÃÌ take better care of others.
What do you love about Mercy chocolate avocado For Animals? smoothie What’s not to love?! I’m a total fangirl! Mercy For Animals has been a big part of Try one of Kris’s favorite my education in consciousness. You’re my go-to source for what’s going on behind recipes at home! the scenes, where so few of us are willing to bear witness, let alone take action.
Chocolate Avocado Smoothie If it wasn’t for the work you and Serves 2 (24 ounces) organizations like you do, there would be far more suffering in the world. • 2 small bananas, frozen • 1–2 pitted Medjool dates And here’s the thing: Suffering is energy, • 1 1/2 tbsp. cacao powder and that energy ripples out whether we • 1/4 Hass avocado feel it or not. So what each of us does to If I didn’t want to experience mitigate suffering makes an impact. No life • 1 3/4 cup almond milk or suffering in my own life, how could is too small to experience kindness. nondairy milk of choice I participate in the suffering of • 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract other sentient beings? That’s not Are there any other words of • 1 cup baby spinach, healing. wisdom you’d like to share? tightly packed
You are all leaders. Keep taking care of your What lessons has the pandemic mindset, your physical health, and your Wash and prep all brought to light for you? hearts because we need you. The animals ingredients. need you to feel your best so you can keep I believe that pandemics like this will stay doing this great work. on the rise if we don’t remedy how we treat Blend until smooth animals, the environment, and each other. and serve.
Check out all of Kris’s books for more recipes:
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