Activism Around the World

Young activists all around the world have been taking part in creative actions to help animals this year: They are raising awareness at their universities, helping out at local concerts and demonstrations, and sharing videos and information on Web sites like Facebook, YouTube, Hi5, Bebo and MySpace.

Young activists worldwide continue to pressure KFC (also known as Kentucky Fried Cruelty) to stop its suppliers from breaking birds’ wings and boiling live birds to death. Students have stood behind banners reading, “KFC Tortures Chicks”, resulting in front-page headlines in university and local newspapers. Several protests were even held at the global headquarters for KFC, including protests in which a truck with a giant television screen showed video footage of the practices that KFC supports to its employees.

In other campaign news, retail chain Newbury Comics stopped selling all fur items, and pomegranate juice maker POM Wonderful stopped funding deadly animal experiments – both happened after the companies faced consumer boycotts and advocacy campaigns. And after receiving nearly 250,000 e-mail messages from PETA US members and supporters, a grocery chain called Giant Eagle agreed to stop selling foie gras, which is made from the diseased livers of ducks and geese.

Compassionate individuals have also been wearing giant animal costumes in fun animal rights efforts at their schools and on the beach! MTV’s university channel, mtvU, even posted some video clips of students’ efforts for animals recently!