In Defense of Animals - Bay Area Events

Table of Contents:
1. Dr. Michael Greger Diet and Health Lecture
2. Make Plans for World Week for Animals In Laboratories
3. Conduct Outreach Against Dog Meat at Korean Trade Expo
4. Gopher Gardening at Ocean Beach
5. Thank You for Defending Ducks


1. Dr. Michael Greger Diet and Health Lecture

The San Francisco Vegetarian Society presents a free lecture by author, physician and nutrition expert Dr. Michael Gregor on "Cancer Proofing Your Body with Plant Foods." According to Dr. Gregor, up to 70% of all cancer deaths are preventable through diet alone. In this dynamic and engaging multimedia presentation, he reveals the top whole plant super foods that have the potential to block and even reverse tumor formation. Learn what free radicals and antioxidants really are and exactly how they work to protect your body from the ravages of aging, cancer and other chronic degenerative diseases. Profiling specific cancers (such as breast and prostate), Dr. Gregor shows how a phyto-nutrient rich plant-based diet may be our best protection against the cancer epidemic.

This is a great lecture to attend whether or not you are a vegetarian. In fact, it may be of special interest to your non-vegetarian friends and relatives, so be sure to invite them.

What: Dr. Michael Gregor lecture on "Cancer Proofing Your Body with Plant Foods."
When: Monday, April 25 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Institute On Aging, 3600 Geary Boulevard (near Palm Avenue), San Francisco

Dr. Gregor's free lecture will be followed by a reception. Click here (http://www.sfvs.org/blog/2005/03/stopping-cancer-before-it-starts-april.html) for more information about this event.


2. Make Plans for World Week for Animals In Laboratories

World Week for Animals In Laboratories (WWAIL) offers people an opportunity to speak out on behalf of the tens of millions of rabbits, mice, dogs, cats, primates and other animals that become victims of medical research each year. During the week of April 23 - 30, IDA wants you to get active to bring their plight to the public's attention. A series of nationwide events spotlighting the cruelty that takes place behind the heavily guarded compounds of the animal experimentation establishment is being planned for the Bay Area and many cities around the country.

IDA will be holding memorials and leafleting outside of UCSF during WWAIL and we need your help! Activists will gather in front of the Millberry Union at 500 Parnassus Avenue, which runs right through the center of campus. This is where the animal research center and the Chancellor's office are located. Though we may adjust times depending on how many people participate, we plan to be there on:
- Tuesday 4/26 & Thursday 4/28 from noon to 2:00 p.m.
- Wednesday 4/27 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

We need as many people as possible to do outreach, hand out leaflets. If you can spend a couple of hours with us to make people aware of the cruel experiments taking place at UCSF and elsewhere, please contact alicia [at] idausa.org or (415) 388-9641 ext. 228 and let her know when you are available. For information on UCSF animal research, visit http://www.vivisectioninfo.org/ucsf/index.html.


3. Conduct Outreach Against Dog Meat at Korean Trade Expo

As we have reported before, South Korea's Ministry for the Office of Government Policy Coordination has proposed a scheme to hygienically control - and effectively legalize - the dog meat trade in their country. IDA strongly opposes this plan, which is supported only by the relatively small number of Koreans who buy and sell dog meat. The vast majority of Korean citizens have never eaten dog meat and wish to see the abhorrent practice banned for good.

Please help IDA educate attendees at the Korean Trade Expo about the Korean Government's cruel plans. IDA will be at the Expo to gather signatures on postcards and hand out leaflets urging people to ask the Government to enforce laws and call off the plans to hygienically control dog meat. Please join other IDA volunteers for this important outreach opportunity. E-mail Kristie [at] idausa.org with times and dates you are available to leaflet.

Dates and locations:
- Thursday, May 5th and Friday May 6th from10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Radisson Miyako Hotel, 1625 Post Street (at Laguna), San Francisco
- Saturday, May 7th at Treasure Island – details to come

To learn more about the Korean dog meat trade and what you can do to stop it, visit http://www.idausa.org/korean_frame.html.


4. Gopher Gardening at Ocean Beach

Join the San Francisco Wildlife Protection Project, a joint effort by IDA and the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department, to create a wildlife "sanctuary" along the Great Highway. By landscaping the area according to the Parks Department's specifications, volunteers create a habitat for native gophers and prevent them from being trapped and killed. This is an on-going monthly effort, and happens on the first Saturday of each month. Please give us a hand so we can help the gophers.

What: Gopher Gardening
When: Saturday, May 7 from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon
Where: Corner of the Great Highway and Wawona Street, San Francisco, at the small brick Recreation and Park maintenance building. Click here (http://tinyurl.com/4hnh2) for directions to this event.

For more information, please contact Kevin Connelly at (415) 388-9641, ext. 226 or kevin [at] idausa.org.


5. Thank You for Defending Ducks

Last Saturday, two chefs held a "special dinner" in a San Mateo restaurant consisting of a twelve-course duck meal specifically to support California's foie gras and duck meat producers. The small number of diners who chose to attend this $250-$300 per-plate event were greeted by animal advocates from IDA, Viva!USA, Farm Sanctuary, and Animal Place who stood outside the restaurant holding posters of ducks being force-fed to make the "delicacy" being served inside. IDA would like to thank everyone who participated in this outreach event for speaking out on behalf of the ducks who are tortured and killed for their livers and flesh. Our voices are making a difference.