20th Annual Meatout Observance Sets Record!

The 20th annual Meatout observance set a new record in the number of events registered. Many more events were held without registration. Animal and consumer advocates welcomed spring in all 50 states and two dozen other countries.

Events ranged from info tables, exhibits, and lectures to cooking demonstrations, public dinners, a Congressional Reception, nd elaborate "lifestivals." Organizers asked their neighbors to "kick the meat habit on March 20th (the first day of spring) and to explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of vegetables, fresh fruits, and grains."

Hundreds of billboards and bus cards in Atlanta, Baltimore, Cleveland, Houston, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington, offered free Vegetarian Starter Kits. Proclamations urging citizens to explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of vegetables, fruits, and grains were issued by the governors of Louisiana, Nevada, Rhode Island, and West Virginia and by a dozen mayors.

Celebrity entertainers Casey Kasem, Mary Tyler Moore, Ed Asner, James Cromwell, Jennie Garth, and Bill Maher served as headliners. Nearly 150 newspapers and radio stations carried reports of local events, interviews, and letters to the editor.

Please click here for a more detailed illustrated report.

Earth Day Website Launched

In observance of Earth Day 2004, FARM is launching a new website veggiesforecology.org on April 22. The site will document the devastating impacts of animal agriculture on natural environment, including land, water, air, and willife. It will list links to environmental and hunger sites.

At the same time, we are publishing "Envirokicks" - small brochures summarizing environmental arguments for kicking the meat habit. These environmental versions of the famed Meatout "Kicks" are available from Elizabeth for distribution by Earth Day event coordinators.

The Animal Rights 2004 website has just been updated to include current speakers (see Program) and sponsors.

Registration is proceeding at a rapid pace, so that we may well exceed the traditional 1,000 participants. Please visit the Registration page before April 30th to take advantage of the current discounted registration rate.

The conference will be held on July 8-12 at the Sheraton Premiere Hotel in Vienna, VA, just outside the Washington Beltway. This facility is larger than previous ones and offers reduced room rates and more amenities, including dog beds.

All exhibits will be located in one large ballroom. For exhibit information, please visit the Exhibits page. Several new videos will be screened in the video theater.

More than 80 animal rights leaders have been already signed. They include Steve Best, Lawrence Carter-Long, Karen Davis, Karen Dawn, Joan Dunayer, Caryn Ginsberg, Michael Greger, Tippi Hedren, Alex Hershaft, Steve Hindi, Kevin Jonas, Pattrice Jones, Elliot Katz, Greg Lawson, Howard Lyman, Jim Mason, Jack Norris, Lauren Ornelas, Dan Piraro, Sherry Schlueter, Paul Shapiro, Jerry Vlasak, Paul Watson, and Zoe Weil. Musical entertainment will be provided by Will Tuttle & Heidi Howe.

A number of post-conference activities including lobbying, demonstrations, seminars, and special interest meetings are planned by groups for Monday.

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Sign Your Friends to Meatout Mondays

Why just send an ordinary card, when you can send a colorful Meatout Mondays card and help your friends make the transition to a meat-free diet? Please contact Elizabeth to get a pack of 50 for $5 (for shipping and handling). These cards are also suitable for distribution at your literature table.

Meatout Mondays is a colorful weekly e-newsletter containing veg recipes, new dietary developments and products, and an inspirational message. To sign up your friends directly, just visit the website and follow instructions in entering their names and e-mail addresses. If you also provide your friends' mailing addresses, we will send them free Vegetarian Starter Kits to help them get started.

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Check Out the New Fun Ways to
Support FARM Campaigns

We have just launched a new set of Help FARM web pages designed to make your support for FARM campaigns fun and easy. The options include joining at different membership levels, donating to specific campaigns, donating appreciated assets, donating services, deferred giving, and sponsoring grassroots projects.

Please check it out, and send us your comments. And thank you for your continued support.