IDA - Bay Area Events

IDA EVENTS
1. Unified Opposition to Japanese Dolphin Slaughter a Success
2. World Vegetarian Day in San Francisco this Weekend
3. Benefit Concert for IDA

OTHER BAY AREA EVENTS TO HELP ANIMALS
1. Support Animal Rights Activist Who Refused Grand Jury
2. Compassionate Cooks' October Cooking Class: "Comfort Food for Chilly Autumn Nights"
3. Wildlife Conservation Expo
4. Theater Benefit for Romanian Animal Rescue
5. Thank Berkeley Bowl for Posting Honest Information about Foster Farms
6. Governor Schwarzenegger Signs Bill to Ban Cruel Dog Chaining


IDA EVENTS

1. Unified Opposition to Japanese Dolphin Slaughter a Success

This year's international Japan Dolphin Day, held last week on Wednesday, September 20th in cities around the world, was a rousing success. Dozens of groups organized demonstrations attended by thousands of people who are outraged and appalled that Japanese fishermen continue to kill about 20,000 marine mammals every year for meat. This annual atrocity -- the largest massacre of dolphins anywhere on the planet -- usually starts in October and continues through March, but this year the slaughter began early, supposedly to ensure that the fishermen were able to fulfill their government-sanctioned quota of kills.

As a coordinated effort, Japan Dolphin Day is an inspiring example of the difference that animal advocates and environmentalists can make when they work together towards a common goal. Richard O'Barry -- who founded the Dolphin Project ( http://www.dolphinproject.org ) in 1970 and is one of the world's most influential dolphin advocates -- praised the demonstrators for speaking out for marine mammals. O'Barry actually started his career in the 1960s capturing and training dolphins for the Miami Seaquarium. One of these dolphins was named Cathy, who for a long time played the role of Flipper in the famous TV series of that name. When she died in his arms, O'Barry understood that keeping dolphins in captivity is wrong, and he has spent the rest of his life fighting for their rights.

"Japan Dolphin Day was a success for the victim dolphins in Japan, and it was a public relations nightmare for the dolphin hunters and the Japanese government," O'Barry recently wrote to the demonstration organizers. "You sent a powerful message that was heard loud and clear in Tokyo. The message was: 'YES, There is international opposition to this secret, barbaric and anachronistic practice and you can't hide it anymore.'"

IDA proudly took part in Japan Dolphin Day by co-hosting a demonstration with Earth Island Institute ( http://www.earthisland.org ) at the Japanese consulate in San Francisco. Volunteers from both groups carried signs and handed out literature to passerby condemning the slaughter. IDA also held protests at the Japanese consulates in Los Angeles, Seattle, and Portland, Ore.

What You Can Do:

Let Japanese officials know that international pressure will continue to mount as long as the dolphin massacre is allowed to go on. Demand a permanent end to the drive fisheries and the preservation of dolphins and whales as natural treasures.

Ryozo Kato
Japanese Ambassador to the U.S.
2520 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20008
Tel: (202) 238-6700
Fax: (202) 328-2187

For more information, including photos and video of the Taiji dolphin slaughter, see http://www.savetaijidolphins.org .


2. World Vegetarian Day in San Francisco this Weekend

Be sure to attend the World Vegetarian Day celebration co-presented by the San Francisco Vegetarian Society (SFVS) ( http://www.sfvs.org ) and IDA taking place this weekend -- Saturday, September 30th and Sunday, October 1st from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. -- at the San Francisco County Fair Building in beautiful Golden Gate Park ( http://tinyurl.com/pbrzd ). This fun and educational event will feature:

- World-renowned speakers John Robbins ( http://www.foodrevolution.org ), Howard Lyman ( http://www.madcowboy.com ), Dr. Alan Goldhamer ( http://www.healthpromoting.com/Articles/articles/meet.htm ), Dr. Joel Fuhrman ( http://www.drfuhrman.com ), Dr. Doug Graham ( http://www.doctorgraham.cc ), Dr. Milton Mills
( http://www.pcrm.org/magazine/gm06winter/mills.html ) and more

- The OrganicAthlete ( http://www.organicathlete.org ) Conference on Saturday, September 30th with speakers and presentations from top vegan athletes

- International vegan cuisine and healthy food demos

- Vegan vendors and non-profit booths

- A fabulous eco-fashion show

- Live entertainment, including a performance by acclaimed musician Nellie McKay ( http://www.nelliemckay.com )

- A catered vegan dinner (Saturday at 6:00 p.m.) for $12

World Vegetarian Day is free to kids, students and seniors. It is also free to everyone who comes before 10:30 a.m., after which a $5 donation is suggested.

See the full schedule of World Vegetarian Day events ( http://www.sfvs.org/wvd/schedule.php ).


3. Benefit Concert for IDA

On Saturday, November 4th, flutist and composer Carol Alban will play her second benefit concert to support IDA's campaigns for animals. The performance will again take place at the Chapel of the Chimes ( http://www.chapelofthechimes.com/oakland/index.html# ), a beautiful building in Oakland's Piedmont neighborhood filled with skylights, stone-carved archways and stained-glass windows. The recital will also feature Dylan Snodgrass on piano, Suellen Primost on cello, Nancy Tyler on flute and Ma Jie on pipa.

A classically trained musician, Alban began playing piano and flute at the age of nine, and studied under many accomplished classical musicians while pursuing her degree at San Francisco State University. She has played flute on a variety of CDs and recorded three albums featuring her own compositions. Visit http://www.myspace.com/carolalban to hear some of her music, then join us at her live performance.

What: IDA benefit concert featuring Carol Alban and friends
When: Saturday, November 4th at 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Chapel of the Chimes ( http://tinyurl.com/ja3a3 ), 4499 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland

Admission is a suggested donation of $10 - $20 with all proceeds donated towards IDA's campaigns to help animals.


OTHER BAY AREA EVENTS TO HELP ANIMALS

1. Support Animal Rights Activist Who Refused Grand Jury

The federal government is now seeking contempt of court charges against Nadia Winstead for asserting her right to remain silent before a San Francisco grand jury. Federal agents originally served Winstead a subpoena on May 24th, 2005 to appear before a grand jury investigating the whereabouts of Daniel Andreas San Diego, an animal rights activist accused of targeting California-based pharmaceutical companies doing business with Huntingdon Life Sciences, a corporation that conducts animal testing. However, she refused to participate in the proceedings.

In the view of many activists and concerned citizens, the order to appear before a federal grand jury is a clear violation of an individual's constitutional rights. For example, grand juries are secret proceedings, so people often have no idea that one is underway until someone is subpoenaed. Defendants called before grand juries have no right to an attorney, leaving federal prosecutors unchallenged and able to ask any questions they want without legal restraint. Thus, being called before a grand jury often intimidates activists into turning against one another out of fear, and some of the country's most influential activists have been effectively neutralized with long prison sentences as a result of damning testimony provided by former allies.

Historically, the U.S. government has used the grand jury system as a weapon in the war against social justice movements that challenge oppression, from anti-slavery abolitionists during the Civil War to labor leaders in the early 20th century to Black Panthers and Native Americans in the 1960s. Now, in the post-9/11 era, radical environmentalists and animal rights activists face the same dangers, and are being called "terrorists" not because they pose any clear and present danger to the public, but because they threaten the profits of lucrative "animal enterprises" like fur farms and vivisection laboratories. In the process, everyone's civil liberties are rapidly eroding as the term "terrorist" is increasingly used to brand anyone who fights for their constitutional rights.

While the U.S. government protects corporations that profit from exploiting animals and the environment, it attempts to coerce and frighten activists who defy the status quo's systemic cruelty. The lessons of history show that progressive movements always lose by backing down in the face of government force. We can resist their attempt to bolster the interests of multi-billion dollar industries over the conscience of a nation by standing in solidarity with those who refuse to cooperate with the government's repressive agenda.

What You Can Do:

Come show your support for all those who choose to resist grand juries by filling the courtroom at Winstead's upcoming proceeding.

What: Contempt hearing for Nadia Winstead
When: Friday, September 29th at 11:00 a.m.
Where: 450 Golden Gate (at Larkin) ( http://tinyurl.com/rw7xd ), 19th floor (Judge Illston's court), San Francisco

To learn more about federal grand juries, visit http://www.FBIwitchHunt.com .


2. Compassionate Cooks' October Cooking Class: "Comfort Food for Chilly Autumn Nights"

As the days begin to get shorter and the nights longer (and cooler), join IDA-sponsored Compassionate Cooks ( http://www.compassionatecooks.com ) for their next vegan cooking class, "Comfort Food for Chilly Autumn Nights," and learn to make five delicious, nutritious dishes including Hearty Three-Bean Chili, Mushroom Risotto, Peanut Pumpkin Soup, Grilled Polenta, and Farm-Fresh Applesauce with Caramelized Pecans. This class will also feature a special taste test of various farmers' market apples and their uses in cooking, baking and eating. This is a wonderful class for learning to make those foods that warm us from the inside out.

Using local, in-season, mostly organic ingredients, Compassionate Cooks features easy-to-prepare recipes and debunks myths about plant-based diets. Join the class in October for yummy food samples and a lot of fun!

What: Compassionate Cooks' October Cooking Class: "Comfort Food for Chilly Autumn Nights"
When: Saturday, October 14th, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Where: The First Unitarian Church of Oakland ( http://uuoakland.org/directions.htm ), 685 14th Street (at Castro), Oakland

The cost of the class is $45, plus $5 food/materials fee due on the day of class. Be sure to register in advance by October 13th either online ( http://www.compassionatecooks.com/reg.htm ) or by calling (510) 531-COOK. Or register by mailing a check to Compassionate Cooks, P.O. Box 18512, Oakland, CA 94619. You can also sign up for a cooking series. Check out class packages at http://www.compassionatecooks.com/deals.htm .


3. Wildlife Conservation Expo

The Wildlife Conservation Expo, sponsored by the Wildlife Conservation Network ( http://wildnet.org/index.htm ), features some of the foremost conservationists in the world. Expo attendees will have the chance to meet these experts and enjoy presentations, wildlife exhibits and film documentaries. Many animal protection organizations, including IDA-Africa, will have exhibit tables at the Expo.

What: Wildlife Conservation Expo
When: Saturday, October 7th, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where: Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills ( http://wildnet.org/downloads/Map_Expo2006.pdf )

Admission is $35 ($20 for students with ID). To see the speaker schedule and exhibitor list, and to purchase tickets, please visit http://wildnet.org/expo2006_expo.htm .

Volunteers are needed to table with IDA at the Expo day! You will receive free admission, get to hear some great speakers and receive the satisfaction of a job well done. Please email Sarah [at] idausa.org or call (415) 388-9641, ext. 212 for more information.


4. Theater Benefit for Romanian Animal Rescue

Romania Animal Rescue (RAR) ( http://www.romaniaanimalrescue.com ) presents an evening at the theater to raise money for homeless animals in Eastern Europe. The performance, "Romania - Beyond Dracula," is directed by Silvian Centiu, star of the hit play "A Transylvanian in Silicon Valley" ( http://www.atransylvanian.com ), a harrowing and hilarious tale of his emigration from Ceausescu's Romania to seek a better life in California.

Funds raised from the performance will support RAR's ongoing efforts to help homeless animals. Many shelters in Romania are overcrowded with as many as ten dogs living in pens smaller than 15 square feet. Proceeds from this special performing arts event will help establish comprehensive spay/neuter programs and provide food and medical attention for homeless animals in Romania.

What: RAR theater fundraiser: "Romania - Beyond Dracula"
When: Saturday, October 28th at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Cowell Theater at Fort Mason Center ( http://www.fortmason.org/performingarts/cowell.shtml ), San Francisco

Tickets are $25 apiece advanced purchase, $30 at the door. Order tickets ( http://www.romaniaanimalrescue.com/fundraising.htm#romfest )


5. Thank Berkeley Bowl for Posting Honest Information about Foster Farms

Berkeley Bowl Marketplace ( http://www.berkeleybowl.com/pages/main.html ) has agreed to allow both East Bay Animal Advocates (EBAA) ( http://eastbayanimaladvocates.org ) and Foster Farms the opportunity to express their positions via point-of-sale-notices on Foster Farms' treatment of chickens.

As the largest poultry producer in the Western U.S., Foster Farms slaughters five million chickens a week for human consumption. Foster Farms claims that it "is absolutely committed to the humane treatment of all animals...keeping the chickens comfortable, clean and well treated is a priority...and ensures excellent health and development." However, an EBAA undercover investigation shows that while "humane treatment" of chickens may be an integral part of Foster Farms' public relations strategy, it amounts to nothing more than deceptive doublespeak when it comes to the harsh reality found inside their facilities.

EBAA provides documented onsite evidence that Foster Farms chickens live in crowded, fecal-infested grow houses and regularly suffer from lack of veterinary care and a host of health disorders directly caused by factory farming conditions. Broilers are selectively bred for rapid growth and reach slaughter weight at only six to seven weeks of age. At that point, they are hung by their legs and their throats are slashed with a knife while they are still conscious. Learn more about EBAA's investigation of Foster Farms ( http://www.fosterfacts.net ).

What You Can Do:

Please email/call/write Berkeley Bowl to thank them for posting honest information about how Foster Farms chickens are treated. The more positive comments they get, the longer they are likely to keep the point-of-sale notices posted. Please contact:

Berkeley Bowl
2020 Oregon Street
Berkeley, CA 94703
Email: info [at] berkeleybowl.com
Tel: (510) 843-6929

Please mention if you are a shopper at their store in Berkeley and send a copy of the email or letter to East Bay Animal Advocates at info [at] eastbayanimaladvocates.org or P.O. Box 1406, Martinez, CA 94553.


6. Governor Schwarzenegger Signs Bill to Ban Cruel Dog Chaining

Good news for California's canines: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed SB 1578, the bill to outlaw the long-term tethering of dogs, into law this week. Thank you to all IDA supporters who contacted the Governor in response to our last Bay Area Alert ( http://ga0.org/indefenseofanimals/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=4293228 ) on September 14th. Your action helped convince the Governor to protect dogs from being condemned to lives of suffering at the end of a chain.

SB 1578, introduced by Senator Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach), prohibits guardians from tethering their dogs to stationary objects for a period of more than three hours. As Governor Schwarzenegger pointed out, "This bill helps protect dogs from cruelty, and enhances public safety by preventing aggressive animal behavior that can result from inhumane tethering." Violators will be charged with an infraction or misdemeanor, depending on the nature and severity of the offense, and would face a fine of as much as $1,000 per dog and/or up to a six month jail sentence.

Governor Schwarzenegger also signed two other pro-animal bills into law last week. SB 1806, introduced by Senator Liz Figueroa (D-Fremont), makes it a crime for guardians to leave animals suffering unattended in vehicles during hot weather, and allows law enforcement officials to enter automobiles to relieve animals when their safety is in danger. SB 1349, introduced by Senator Soto (D-Pomona), increases penalties for animal fighting, and will help curtail illegal dogfighting and cockfighting in the state. Lawbreakers will face up to a year in jail and/or a fine of as much as $5,000 for the first offense, and for a second offense could be charged with a felony, which could lead to a prison sentence and/or up to a $25,000 fine.


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