On March 18, 600 AU community members pledged to be vegetarian and helped raise more than $120 to help animals rescued from abusive homes. Some made the decision to participate for one day, some for the rest of their lives. Either way, these individuals took this step because they know that a vegetarian diet saves human lives, animal lives and the environment. Every time a person sits down to eat, he can choose to make a difference.
On Wednesday, the AU College Republicans thought it would be funny to promote meat eating and collected a pitiful 82 signatures. It is the opinion of this writer that the aforementioned group harms its own image when making a decision to promote bad human health, cruelty to animals and destruction of the environment. For three years, I have always respectfully disagreed with the College Republicans based purely on difference of opinion. On this day, I watched the club stoop to mockery and childishness, which will likely alienate its allies and members.
I hope that these same Republicans read the book "Dominion," by President George W. Bush's former special assistant and senior speechwriter, Matthew Scully. In his book, Scully discusses why conservatives should care about animals and promotes a vegan diet. I also suggest that if the College Republicans truly want to discuss the merits of eating animals versus eating vegetarian, I am available for a formal debate in the fall and would gladly assist in its planning.
Now let us return to the subjects that matter the most. This year at AU has clearly been a success for non-human animals. More than 70 students have participated in community service at Poplar Springs Animal Sanctuary, a home where rescued animals live in peace. Our club has also collected more than 400 signatures to send to the Canadian Embassy in opposition to Canada's seal hunt for fur (not for food as was implied in The Eagle's article on Thursday). Members of our club have convinced many students and D.C. residents of the benefits of vegetarian and vegan diets.
In true form with its commitment to social responsibility, Bon Appetit has made huge progress on behalf of animals this year, and it deserves much gratitude. Not only did the company convert TDR into a vegetarian haven for our Meat-Out event, it also has agreed (without any pressure from students) to use eggs that come from cage-free chickens instead of those that come from chickens in battery cages. Since chickens suffer the most cruel torture and death in this country, this pledge is a huge step. Students from AU have also participated in education about the cruelty of animal circuses and the fur industry.
Next year we will certainly continue all these campaigns and will start educating the community about the suffering of animals on AU's campus that are used for vivisection (live animal experiments) and dissection. Lastly, on Saturday and Sunday, the AU Animal Rights Effort will host a humane education conference in which attendees will learn about teaching elementary school children about animal rights and other social justice issues.
I am truly proud to be a member of the animal rights community at American University. For years, we have stood out on this campus and in this city as an unwavering defender of animals. I ask you all to join us in our campaigns. United as one, those of us who share a compassion for animals can change the world for millions.
David Benzaquen is a senior in the School of Public Affairs and president of the AU Animal Rights Effort.
