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Animal Liberation Victoria News, March 28, 2006 |
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> ALV Shows Treasurer the Bottom Line at Games Opening > Duck Rescue 2006 > Objections Needed Against Meat Industry Propaganda > Animal Rights in the News > ALV Calendar of Events > Loving Homes Needed |
ALV Shows Treasurer the Bottom Line at Games Opening During the Commonwealth Games ALV was out every day with a cheeky message protesting against Australia's cruel treatment of sheep. Wearing signs reading 'Save Our Sheep' and not much else, ALV activists with Australian flags painted on their bottoms handed out thousands of fliers (click here to see our leaflet featured on the PETA Save the Sheep website) with information about mulesing, a painful procedure in which Australian farmers use gardening shears to cut skin and flesh from lambs' backsides-without painkillers. At the Commonwealth Games opening the bare cheeked protesters were briefly joined for some photos by Australian Treasurer and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party Peter Costello as he arrived for the opening ceremony. The story received fantastic nationwide media coverage for the sheep (The Age story here). More photos from the protests can be viewed here: http://www.openrescue.org/savesheep/Duck Rescue 2006 An ALV contingent once again journeyed to Kerang in Victoria as part of the Coalition Against Duck Shooting, to rescue birds and challenge shooters at the opening of the 2006 season. Rescuers entered the wetlands water of Lake Murphy at 6am and managed to move numbers of waterbirds away from the shooters who began a barrage of shooting at 7.20am. Steel-shot fell widely among the 100 or so rescuers on the wetlands and it was easy to feel as if one was in a war zone. Birds flying strongly would crumple and fall from the sky when hit. Others would twist and turn their way down mortally wounded. [click here to read more, see ALV's duck rescue photos, and find out how you can help the ducks]Objections Needed Against Meat Industry Propaganda Sam 'Meat Pimp' Neill of Jurassic Park renown has recently shown he is still in the dark ages by fronting an advertising campaign by Meat and Livestock Australia. The advertisement, a sign of the desperation of the meat industry, includes a statement that "lean red meat 3 or 4 times per week is still an essential part of the diet..." This statement is untrue, and is designed to create fear, uncertainty and doubt in the minds of those who might otherwise adopt a healthy meat free diet. It may well succeed in confusing the issue in the minds of the public, lead to greater red meat consumption (which, after all, is the purpose of the ad) - and consequently increased health risks for those persuaded by the advertising to eat more red meat (for more information about how meat is bad for your health visit www.pcrm.org). Similar claims made by other industries would create an outcry by public health professionals (e.g. "Smoking is an essential habit to maintain human health"?), yet the claim made here has the potential to do more damage to public health than even smoking. To object to the misleading and innacurate statements in the MLA advertisement call the ACCC on 1300 302 502 (the cost of a local call from anywhere in Australia) and they will ask you what you're objecting to, why you're objecting, where and when you saw the ad, your postcode and your name. You can also write to them at GPO Box 520, Melbourne 3001. You can tell them the ad is false and misleading and therefore illegal under the provisions of the Fair Trading Act. Whether they will do anything depends on the number of complaints they receive. Please get as many people as possible to complain. See the story below ("Red Meat, Red Herring") for further information.< /> Animal Rights in the NewsSeveral positive stories for animals have appeared in the news over the last few weeks, here are a few of them:What's for Bloody Dinner? (Feel like chicken tonight? Patricia Bolton in The Age argues that Australian meat-eaters are blissfully ignorant of the miserable pre-dinner lives led by many of the creatures they eat). Red Meat, Red Herring (An ad for meat tries to bypass morality by appealing to evolution, writes Richard King in The Age). Who Talks for the Animals? (Animal rights activists are leaving the RSPCA for dead, reports Richard Yallop in The Australian). The Joy of Being Vegan (Its followers claim they look and feel healthier than ever - and have a clear conscience too. Martin Hickman in The Independent examines the arguments for taking up a meat-free diet). ALV Calendar of EventsApril 1 (Saturday) The weekly KFC Cruelty protest is taking place from 1pm-2pm at 37 Swanston Street in the City (and each Saturday at the same time and place following). All Welcome. For more information please visit ALV's KFC Cruelty page. (please note: the monthly members on the first Saturday of the month have been phased out and replaced with campaign meetings - see below for more information). Loving Homes Needed Loving home needed for two piglets. Someone with a large property and a big heart needed to take in a couple very playful pigletss who would love to share a good life with the right people. If you think you can help out please contact patty@alv.org.au Asleah is 6 years old and is unhappy in her current surroundings. She is looking for a home with no other cars as she doesn't get along with others very well. She loves people and is good with kids, she enjoys a lap in winter and loves attention and head butts. She is quite independent and likes to have access outside. She can be quite vocal so she needs a family where this will not be a problem. She is in very good health but requires a special diet. She is desexed and microchipped and currently up to date with her vaccinations. Ashleah is an attractive cat and very loving, hopefully she will find her perfect home. If you can help please contact Tessa on 0401 864 346 or tessah@optusnet.com.au
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