Earlier this month you may have heard about the passage of Proposition 12 (aka the Farm Animal Confinement Initiative), a California law that makes it illegal for hens, sows (mother pigs), and veal calves to be confined in what the state calls “a cruel manner.” It also prohibits the in-state sale of products from caged animals raised out-of-state.

But is the passage of Prop 12 really the victory it’s being touted as? When we examine that question, we must do so from the victim’s perspective. Does having a few more inches of room before being sent to slaughter sound like a win? When you view it from the animals’ point of view, Prop 12 is a loss.

Why?

Because countless hours of activist time spent gathering ballot signatures could have been spent advocating for animal rights and vegan outreach, implementing in meaningful long-lasting ways the concept of abolition. The $16 million spent on lobbying to change laws which are nearly impossible to enforce could have been spent persuading those who eat animals to see them as individuals who shouldn’t be used to begin with. This is simply a diversion from the only goal that matters to the animals: abolition. (See PETA’s investigation into a Prop 12 compliant egg farm)

Laws like Prop 12 are welfare-based. They do not confront consumers with the truth that gestation crate-free pork and cage-free eggs are not humane in any sense of the word. Animal welfare reforms keep compassionate people comfortable as they buy animal-based products. This is exactly what the meat, dairy, and egg industries want. They need people to feel good about using animals.

When well-meaning activists spend their limited time and resources on lobbying for a right way to do the wrong thing, it’s asking for less than what the animals want, need, and deserve. Welfare reforms have not ended animal use, but rather, has slowed the progress of animal rights.

The Animal Rights Coalition is an abolitionist organization. Protesting the use of animals, sharing alternatives to using animals, and educating the public about the myths surrounding so-called humane farming is our goal. We invite activists to join us in making meaningful strides towards animal liberation. This isn’t about changing a habit. It’s about re-setting a moral baseline: animals are not ours to use. There is no right way to do the wrong thing.

View ARC’s Humane Farming Myth brochure here.

It’s that time of year to enjoy fresh, local produce from your neighborhood farmers market! ARC visits many different markets throughout the season to promote Vegan University, ARC’s program to help you go – and stay – vegan. Vegan University offers free mentors, cooking classes, and online workshops to learn about Vegan Nutrition, Meal Planning, Eating Vegan on a Budget and more! We’ll show people the numerous benefits of going vegan by handing out free plant-based recipes to go with the fresh produce offered at markets. Stop by our table to say hello or sign up to volunteer with us! Click the date you’re interested in for more information and to access the volunteer form: 

Saturday, May 20th, 9:00-1:00 pm: Riverwalk Market Fair 

Saturday, June 3rd, 8:00-1:00 pm: Midtown Farmers Market 

Saturday, June 17th, 8:00-1:00 pm: Bloomington Farmers Market 

Sunday, July 9th, 8:30-1:00 pm: Kingfield Farmers Market

Saturday, July 15th, 8:00-1:00 pm: Bloomington Farmers Market

Saturday, July 29th, 8:00-1:00 pm: Midtown Farmers Market

Saturday, August 5th, 9:00-1:00 pm: Mill City Farmers Market

Saturday, October 7th, 9:00-1:00 pm: Riverwalk Market Fair 

Saturday, October 14th, 8:00-1:00 pm: Bloomington Farmers Market

Sunday, October 22nd, 8:30-1:00 pm: Kingfield Farmers Market

Join ARC for a free screening of the new vegan comedy feature film, Coffee Wars! The plot follows Jo, a vegan coffee shop owner and barista who navigates running her business in a dairy-dominated industry. The very successful vegan singer-songwriter and actress, Kate Nash, portrays Jo, the protagonist of the film. View the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbqFRntzSyY

We’ll gather at the Minnehaha Masonic Lodge #165 on Saturday, May 20th, at 2:30 pm. Coffee and snacks will be complimentary!

Unfortunately, dairy isn’t the only social justice issue associated with coffee. Read more about “The Stirring Reality of Coffee” in Food Empowerment Project’s article.

ARC will be attending the Twin Cities Pride Festival again this year and we want you to join us! Volunteer at ARC’s table to hand out free guides to going vegan and plant-based recipes, offer samples of Babybel’s plant-based cheese, set up the virtual reality headsets for viewing, answer questions, and explain the benefits of going vegan. Join us on Saturday, Sunday, or both days, and have a good time with animal-loving friends! 

Sign up to volunteer by filling out the form. Let us know which date/time(s) you’re interested in and the activity you would like to do while you’re there: https://forms.gle/63yR3QwN4C9cV6Bv7

If you can’t volunteer, stop by and say hi! ARC’s table will be in the yellow section (Y88). Grab a free sample of plant-based cheese, some stickers and a guide to going vegan before you go!

Animals are not circus props! St. Paul Osman Shrine Circus continues to promote animal shows that include elephants, tigers, lions, camels, and bison. Animals used in circuses for human entertainment are deprived of anything that might satisfy their complex physical, behavioral, and emotional needs. With so many opportunities to captivate audiences using willing human performers, it’s a shame the Osman Shrine Circus chooses to continue exploiting animals.

Join us at any of the following times to stand in solidarity with the animals and educate the public about the cruelty involved in using animals for human entertainment.

On February 21st, Scott County officials will consider whether to revoke a conditional use permit for the Minnesota Renaissance Festival due to traffic and parking issues, and other permit violations at the Shakopee site. After years of protesting outside of the Renaissance Festival in opposition of their cruel animal rides, the Animal Rights Coalition is taking advantage of this opportunity to speak to Scott County and the public. ARC representatives and a longtime ARC volunteer (and Shakopee resident) will be present at the city council meeting to share concerns about the ethics of animal rides at the MN Ren Fest. Show support for the Ren Fest elephants by joining ARC at the public hearing on Tuesday, February 21st at 7:00 pm. 

Other venues in the US, like the Kansas City Renaissance Festival, have already made the ethical decision to cancel cruel elephant rides. It’s time for Scott County to step up and do the same.

Photo taken by Brooke Reynolds (Captured by Brooke Photography): https://www.capturedbybrooke.com/…/Features/Ren-Fest-2017/

Cinch World’s Toughest Rodeo is coming back to Minneapolis on February 3rd and 4th to glorify animal abuse for entertainment. This rodeo includes bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, and barrel racing. The horses, bulls, and steer, often suffer broken ribs, backs, and legs, torn tails, punctured lungs, internal organ damage, ripped tendons, torn ligaments, snapped necks, and agonizing deaths. This year, they’re also allowing the public to ride ponies prior to the event. More information on why rodeos are cruel can be found here.  

Thankfully, some cities are making progress to eliminate or restrict this cruel excuse for entertainment. On  December 7, 2022, the Los Angeles City Council P.A.A.W. (Personnel, Audits, and Animal Welfare) Committee passed the Rodeo “Tools of Torment” Ban that will prohibit the use of the rodeo’s torture devices – specifically electric prods and shocking devices, spurs and rowels, and flank or bucking straps. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case in Minnesota. 

Join ARC to stand up against the rodeo’s cruel animal abuse by peacefully protesting outside the Xcel Energy Center on Friday, the 3rd, from 6:30-7:45 pm. 

Sign up to volunteer here: https://forms.gle/Ctc5kvNF8Dz83y3P6