Feature Archives

East Bay Animal Advocates sponsored a vegetarian feed-in in front of the KFC at 470 Lake Park Avenue, right by the Grand Lake Theater in Oakland. As a farmers' market across the street offered an assortment vegetarian fair itself, volunteers served vegetarian "turkey" to passers-by and distributed pamphlets with information on the inhumane treatment of factory-farmed animals outside of the fast food restaurant. The 16-page pamplet on factory farming was provided by Vegan Outreach. A "feed-in" is a way for activists to engage passers-by in a friendly and inviting manner and offer vegetarian food that they might not have tried otherwise. In this neighborhood in Oakland, numerous people noted that they were already vegetarian including one man and both of his children. East Bay Animal Advocates holds frequent events throughout the East Bay and periodically performs "open rescues" of farm animals. Photos · EBAA website

Activists with PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and the DAAA Collective (Direct Action Anti-Authoritarians) protested Saturday against the use of rabbit fur at "hip" clothing store Wet Seal, and the fur trade in general at a heart of Modesto consumerism, the Vintage Faire Mall. Two police cars and the mall security force greeted the protestors, as 12-15 activists held signs and passed out information on Wet Seal. Several DAAA Collective members were asked if they were with PETA, or if they were the organizers. They were also told that they could not film outside. Mall security was in fact up to date with the Pruneyard rulings, which protect free speech in public areas that happen to be on private property, and in the end "agreed" to let the activists videotape outside. Leaflets on Wet Seal and their practices were handed out, and many passers-by said they were sickened at the murder of rabbits for the sake of their fur. Shoppers were educated on alternatives to fur, and some people even grabbed a sign to join in. Report · Photos

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is the world's largest animal rights group. Stretching the envelope of concern for animals further than traditional animal welfare groups that accept human uses of animals, PETA steadfastly advocates for animal liberation from human interference and maintains that animals are not ours to eat, to wear, to experiment on, or to use for entertainment. While they acknowledge there is much work yet to do to reduce the suffering of animals worldwide, PETA takes pride in the strides they have made toward improving the lot of many animals as the group celebrates its 25-year anniversary this year. PETA's and Ingrid Newkirk's contribution to the animal rights movement has spawned legions of animal advocates and pushed many animal welfare groups to take a more hardline stance against animal exploitation. In support of her new book, "Making Kind Choices", Ingrid Newkirk spoke and signed copies at her only appearance in San Francisco. She strongly encouraged everyone to make full use of all of PETA's copyright-free materials at their website and to request any printed materials they have to offer. From video at PetaTV to CD-ROMs, from pamplets to other materials, PETA offers information on virtually every aspect of the human use of animals and its ethical, health, and environmental ramifications. Photos and Full Audio of Speech

On February 12, animal rights activists protested at the KFC on Mission St. (Hwy 1) in Santa Cruz. About 25 people and two chickens marched from the health food store on Laurel and Mission to demonstrate at the KFC a half mile down the road. The same day another 30 activists in San Francisco demonstrated in front of the KFC at 4150 Geary Blvd (@6th Av). Both demonstrations intended to call attention to and eventually put a stop to abuses against chickens taking place in the factories and slaughterhouses that provide chicken to KFC. Chickens are routinely scalded alive, beaten and kicked. In addition, the chickens are pumped full of hormones and kept in crowded filthy conditions which frequently results in their inability to stand up or flap their wings. KFC has so far refused to implement comprehensive guidelines developed by its own animal welfare panelists to prevent these and other abuses. Until it does, activists everywhere are protesting and choosing to steer clear of the Colonel.
Santa Cruz Photos 1 | 2 & Audio report · San Francisco Photos

After numerous reports from citizens and former employees of abuse such as leaving live dogs in freezers with dead dogs, wrongful euthanasia, and other problems at the city's Animal Shelter, Oakland City Council President Ignacio De La Fuente announced that he will be holding a special Town Hall Meeting on hiring a new Director of the Shelter. The former directory left the position last June and a replacement has yet to be found. Lori Barnabe, a veterinary technician and animal control officer with Oakland from 1999 through 2004, detailed her concerns about shelter management to Oakland city officials last month. “We’re taking these charges very seriously,” said Oakland Deputy City Administrator Niccolo De Luca. In his call for the public meeting, De La Fuente stated, "I have received very troubling reports of animal cruelty, questionable euthanasia practices, disrespect of pet owner rights, and a lack of accountability at the Oakland Animal Shelter. We want citizens to share their vision of how this Shelter should be run effectively, respectfully and humanely."

Reports on Abuse: 1 | 2 | 3
Notice of Meeting on the Future of the Oakland Animal Shelter
Follow-up Report on Meeting at City Hall 2/17/05

Over 100 activists descended upon the KFC at Eddy and Polk in San Francisco Sunday February 5th for what normally would have been the noontime lunch rush. It was enough to cover all four corners of the intersection. Many long-time animal activists remarked that this was the largest animal rights demonstration that they had ever attended. High turnout was largely due to the fact that this weekend PETA held the first of eight 2005 "Helping Animals 101" two-day conferences just a few blocks away. It was the first demo ever for approximately half of those out there, and organizers hope that these newly-minted activists will help strengthen the ongoing PETA-initiated KFC demos around the Bay Area which are sponsored locally by grassroots groups such as Bay Area Vegetarians, Animal Rights Alliance, and East Bay Animal Advocates. More Photos | Video

Notes and Photos from "Helping Animals 101" Conference 1 | 2 | 3

Upcoming Demo in Oakland and Monthly Demos in SF and Santa Cruz
Related info from Santa Cruz IMC: 1 | 2 · PETA's Kentucky Fried Cruelty Campaign

Even with the recently passed legislation in California outlawing production and selling of foie gras in 2012, animal rights activists are not waiting idly by for the new law to take effect. Restaurants that continue to sell the supposed delicacy are being targeted in a variety of ways, in California, coast to coast, and internationally. A growing number are heeding the call to stop serving the bird livers enlarged by forced-feeding, sometimes simply by being informed of the cruelty inherent in the production process without any activist demonstrations whatsoever. Locally, restaurants in Marin and Walnut Creek recently dropped or are seriously considering dropping foie gras. New laws are being passed in other countries. And while numerous businesses are so far refusing to change, and some "victories" as tenuous at this point, it appears the tide is turning on foie gras slowly but surely.

Recent Activist Victories Locally: 1 | 2 | 3
Victories Elsewhere: U.S. | Europe | Israel
Ongoing Struggles: S.F., L.A. & Portland 1 | 2
More Info on Foie Gras: www.stopforcefeeding.com