It’s difficult for me to write this post, as I get extremely emotional thinking about the incredible events that occurred over the past few days. I tear up just thinking about it.
I have been on a not-so-secret mission to make Dallas—a city I love more than any other—a green-urban-hip place to live. I can now, without any hesitation, say I see a light at the end of the tunnel!
On Sunday, September 20, a large group of local animal rights activists came together to represent Mercy For Animals, an organization that focuses on farmed animal issues, at the 2009 Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade. Our mission: to let Dallas know that “no one is free when others are oppressed”!
The marching group was composed of people from all walks of life with one common belief—that all living beings have the basic right to live a life free of harm and suffering.
Nathan Runkle, my friend and founder of Mercy For Animals (MFA), flew in from Chicago to oversee our grassroots effort in Dallas, where more than 60 like-minded individuals marched in support of MFA’s work. Dallas’ MFA marching group outnumbered every other city’s this year!
How did this happen here in the land of beef, beef, and more beef? Because change is here! I wanted it. And you wanted it. Together, we're making it happen!
On Monday, Spiral Diner hosted a private dinner for Nathan Runkle, several high-profile animal rights activists, and a couple of media representatives. Restaurant owner Sara Tomerlin, and founders Amy McNutt and James Johnston prepared a Texas style vegan barbeque in honor of Nathan, and all proceeds went to Mercy For Animals.
Following dinner, Nathan spoke about MFA, and screened a documentary entitled Fowl Play, which illustrates the abuse and torture of farmed animals used for food. Arnold Jones of the Dallas Voice must have been so horrified by the film, he ran out of there before it was over. And who can blame him? Most of the scenes were too unbearable to watch!
Teresa Gubbins of PegasusNews was so moved by the event, she’s featuring it as the top story on PegasusNews tomorrow!
So I want to thank everyone involved in making these events so successful. I am so proud to know so many kind and compassionate people in Dallas!
Thank you all so much for your supporting this cause that’s very close to my heart, and know that this is only the beginning of a movement that’s going to hit this city by storm!
We must stay active, though!!
Please start by supporting the amazing work Mercy For Animals does.
This is our chance to make Dallas truly shine!
We must stay active, though!!
Please start by supporting the amazing work Mercy For Animals does.
This is our chance to make Dallas truly shine!
And stay tuned to DallasVegan.com for more opportunities to be a part of this evolution.
Photos by Drew and Nathan
5 comments:
holy cow, i had some serious catching up to do. yay for mercy for animals, pizza, and those amazing looking hemp icecream cookie sammies!
Thanks for that great recap Eddie. You did an amazing job helping to organize everything! Bravo to you, and to everyone else that contributed to make last weekend a success. I just *knew* there were lots of us out there.
Here, here, Eddie G! I could not have said it better myself. Thanks to you, Eddie, Jamey, Nathan and to all of our friends who came out in support of MFA. What a great day! Really, without you guys we could not have made this happen. Let's build on this experience and do it again next year -- even louder!
it's great that there are so many people here locally that are interested in spreading the word. i wonder how many people know that we have an animal rights community that is alive and well here in Dallas? Animal Connection of Texas (A.C.T.) is one of the groups - they hold protest and outreach events every weekend. hope some of you will check it out!
This is awesome and so inspiring!!!
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