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Promoting Veganism:
Sowing the Seeds for a Compassionate Tomorrow

Knowledge is Power: Library Outreach Campaign

MFA has launched a campaign to get veganism and animal rights into Ohio libraries. The campaign includes securing library displays, donating videos and books, and distributing animal rights literature at libraries across Ohio.

Optic Nerve Art Corp. of Columbus donated its services by creating a thought-provoking educational display for continual show in library cases throughout Ohio. During the month of May the Upper Arlington Public Library hosted this professionally-designed outreach exhibit in its main display case. Library personnel notified MFA that they had received numerous compliments on the display, which stood in a glass case at the center of the lobby so that patrons could walk around it to read about veganism on both sides. The graphic images of confined animals and the horrifying facts about factory farming evoke compassionate responses from its viewers. The theme of the display is punctuated by the message "Go Vegan!" that stretches across the front of the case to greet each person who entered the library. 

The display is traveling to various libraries across Ohio such as Bexley, Columbus, Dayton, Springfield, and others. Countless Ohio residents can now learn more about animal rights and the vegan lifestyle, thanks to this new MFA campaign.

Driving Home the Message: Highway Banner Drops

In March, Ohio motorists were greeted during morning, lunch, and afternoon commutes by a meatless message. Members of Mercy For Animals visited Dayton, Cincinnati, and Columbus and unfurled a 20' x 4' color banner that reads "Choose Compassion Over Killing. Go Vegan!" The action celebrated the Great American Meat-Out, a campaign that advocates kicking the meat habit. News coverage of the events reached thousands.

The Power of the Pen: MFA's Writers Group

MFA's Writers’ Group educates readers across Ohio with letters to the editor that address crucial animal rights issues. On March 22, The Sidney Daily News published a letter by MFA Director Nathan Runkle about the importance of people adopting a plant-based diet. In recognition of national Meat-Out Day, Runkle wrote, "living, breathing, thinking, feeling beings, whose senses are so much like our own, suffer and die at the rate of millions per day, just so people can satisfy an unhealthy palate preference." Each month MFA writers tackle current issues in several of Ohio's newspapers, spreading a message of compassion, such as when Runkle closed the Meat-Out letter: "The kind, compassionate, and healthy choice is going vegan." 

Eating for Life: Vegan Feed-Ins

In addition to convenience, many otherwise compassionate people choose to continue to consume animal products because they fear giving up their favorite foods. MFA has hosted several "feed-ins" (the distribution of free vegan food, such as veggie burgers, in front of restaurants that profit from animal exploitation) to help people make the transition to a healthy and humane vegan diet.

Few people are aware that there is a vegan alternative to every animal product. "Not Dogs," veggie "sausage," and veggie burgers are just a few of the tasty products that are sweeping the marketplace. By distributing such delicious vegan foods to consumers, MFA hopes to show people that they can still enjoy their favorites without violence or bloodshed.

Seeing is Believing: Video Screenings

Nothing is more powerful or convincing than seeing footage of animals suffering whether on factory farms, slaughterhouses, or other animal abuse establishments. Confronting the public with video of animal exploitation is heart-breaking but rewarding. MFA's Silent Suffering, the documentary exposing the horrors of Ohio's largest egg factory farms, has been converting consumers to veganism since its first showing. MFA has been busy getting this shocking video to the public through dozens of video showings and talks, and through public access TV. Over 500 copies of Silent Suffering have been distributed across the country. Screenings have taken place at numerous Ohio location including the Wexner Center for the Arts, Ohio State University, Antioch College, Oberlin College, "Liberation Now! - The National Student Animal Rights Conference," Taylor University, and others. At nearly every video showing at least one person commits to a vegan lifestyle. 

Spreading the Word: Leafleting Events

MFA distributes vegan literature numerous events as a way to reinforce that veganism is the compassionate choice. Thousands of "Why Vegan?" booklets have been distributed at events across Ohio, including Columbus’s monthly Gallery Hop, video showings, feed-ins, demonstrations, and other events. After reading vegan literature, many people pursue a vegan lifestyle.

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