Animal Activists Are Waging War in Your Backyard
I kept a bit of distance as I approached the site of my first animal activist rally. I watched two people huddled beside a small megaphone and a bag, checking their phones constantly. As the clock struck the advertised time for this group to make their announcements, I leaned in anticipating what would happen next.
Nothing.
About 15 minutes later, two more joined. They pulled out a banner and signs from the bag. Another 15 minutes passed and the group, now up to five, started walking. As I followed the group, I realized I was listening to students uneducated about modern livestock production and abiding by a playbook from a known animal activist organization.
The actual protest consisted of four people holding signs and one person reading a message from his phone.
“We are here to speak out for animals who cannot speak for themselves. We are here to tell you that there is something you can do. Rescue these animals and join the animal rights movement today,” the activist read.
His thoughts and ideas were scripted. I think that made me the most unsettled. Why are you fighting for a cause that you can’t speak on your own about?
I was not impassioned or moved by anything that was said. No one else was either. People just streamed by and only one couple stopped for about 8 seconds.
I share something in common with these students. We love animals. But I was disheartened to hear them support breaking the law to “rescue” animals right here in the Midwest where we are surrounded by animal agriculture and the benefits of an abundant food supply.
A Reality Check
I called my friend Hannah Thompson-Weeman, president of the Animal Agriculture Alliance, the next morning.
She said something that makes sense, but was still a punch in the gut. Organizations like this one are mobilizing activists all over the country – not just on the coasts.
“Groups like Direct Action Everywhere (DXE) have small pockets of supporters across the country that are willing to mobilize for the cause, and the ‘lead organizers’ have also shown they’re willing to travel anywhere to conduct ‘investigations’ and demonstrations,” she explained.
Other extreme groups, such as The Save Movement, have chapters in various cities, particularly where processing plants are located, she pointed out.
They find people willing to carry out their plan to get their message heard in unexpected places, even Farm Country USA. I want to believe that the reason people didn’t stop and engage, that no one listened or took them seriously, is because they know better. They know farmers care for their animals and do whatever it takes to make sure animals are raised in a healthy, safe and controlled environment.
But I’m not sure that’s why.
There are so many messages shared about animal ag, and consumers struggle to know which voices to trust. I am grateful for voices such as Tork and Sawyer of This’ll Do Farm, Heidi Flory of “The Princess and the Pig Farmer,” Cara Haden “Pig Vet” and Jesse Heimer of Heimer Hampshires for using their voice to share what it’s really like to raise livestock.
How Can You Help?
I walked away from the rally full of questions. How am I helping people who are outside of agriculture discern truth from fiction? How am I raising kids emboldened to speak up for agriculture? What am I doing to remind the younger generations their story is important and needs to be told?
The war for people’s hearts and minds is moving into your backyard. Are you ready?
Editor's Note: Want to learn more? Check out the Animal Agriculture Alliance Summit conference that is taking place May 4-5. You can purchase the recording pass to access recordings from all the sessions after the event.
Read More:
When Talent and Passion Collide
Why We Need More Youth to Speak Up About Ag
Tell Your Story: If We All Do A Little, No One Will Have To Do A Lot
