CONFERENCE 2009

*FULL SCHEDULE IS NOW ONLINE HERE!!!!**

Animals belong to themselves, not to us. They should not suffer in our systems of food, science, entertainment and fashion. Instead, they should live free of the tyranny we put upon them. But they cannot claim this freedom alone. The Let Live NW Animal Rights Conference is a grassroots forum for people who want to help. Through an open, respectful, and friendly environment this conference will provide an opportunity for attendees to learn skills and strategies to become better advocates for the animals, no matter ones experience level in activism.

This conference is for first-timers, experienced activists, and anybody in between who hopes to make a real difference for animals and build a stronger, more effective community and animal liberation movement. This conference is for anybody who wants to live and let live.

“Let Live” is taking place in Portland, Oregon, June 26th-28th, 2009. It will be held this year on the campus of Portland State University in the Smith Memorial Building. It is being organized by Vegans for Animal Advocacy, with support from Let Live Foundation as well as local area businesses such as Herbivore Clothing, and Food Fight Grocery. Much more info to come soon, please check back often and subscribe to the blog to stay up to date. Any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch. See you soon.

Thanks.
The “Let Live” Crew

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS FOR 2009 CONFERENCE (check back for updates)

Nick Atwood (Biteback)
Gene Baur (Farm Sanctuary)
Jeremy Beckham (PrimateLabs.com)
Stephanie Boston (Portland Animal Defense League)
Jenny Brown (Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary)
Gedden Cascadia (Portland Animal Defense League)
Glenn Gaetz (Liberation BC)
Christine Garcia, The Animal Law Office
Justin Goodman (PETA)
David Hayden (No Compromise)
Camille Hankins (Win Animal Rights)
Nik Hensey (No Compromise)
Tim Hitchens, (Let Live Foundation)
Karen Hixson, Connect
Josh Hooten (Herbivore Clothing, Let Live Foundation)
Ramona Ilea
Jenn Kaplan, attorney
Cheryl Leahy (Compassion Over Killing)
J Johnson (Chicago Animal Defense League)
Melanie Joy (Strategic Action for Animals)
Shannon Keith (Behind the Mask / Uncaged Films)
Andrea Lindsay (SHAC7 Support, No Compromise)
Kim McCoy (Sea Shepherd Conservation Society)
Erica Meier (Compassion Over Killing)
Pulin Modi (PETA2)
Isa Chandra Moskowitz, author
Jeph Nor (Portland Animal Defense League)
lauren Ornelas (Food Empowerment Project)
Jami Pannell, attorney
Emily Pepe (NWVeg)
Will Potter (Green Is The New Red)
Marsha Rakestraw (NWVeg)
Lauren Regan (Civil Liberties Defense Center)
Craig Rosebraugh (author, Burning Rage of a Dying Planet)
Matt Rossell (In Defense of Animals)
Nathan Runkle (Mercy for Animals)
Jasmin Singer (Farm Sanctuary)
Peter Spendelow (NWVeg)
Stu Sugarman, attorney
Peter Young (former animal liberation prisoner)
+ a pile of local activists chiming in and helping out

REGISTRATION

“Let Live” would greatly appreciate any help you can offer to offset the costs of the event. We’re asking for a suggested donation of $15 for both Saturday and Sunday’s events. We’ve had major expenses recently added to the cost of putting on this conference and any additional donation would be greatly appreciated, really. Putting on a weekend’s worth of approximately 60 talks with over 20 speakers isn’t cheap to do, so dig deep if you can afford it. NOTE: IF YOU CAN’T AFFORD THE REGISTRATION FEE, WE WILL GLADLY ACCEPT 2 HOURS OF YOUR VOLUNTEER TIME IN EXCHANGE FOR ADMISSION. JUST EMAIL ELSBETH FOR DETAILS.

Due to space restrictions, we’re having to put a limit on the number of attendees to 350. We’ll allow some overbooking because realistically not everybody is going to need to be in our biggest room at the same time but to be safe book now to ensure you get a spot! Don’t worry though, we’ll still try to make room for folks who don’t show up until the day of the conference if at all possible – but we may be down to standing room only at that point!

Wanna register now and get it over with? The easy way is to PayPal us $$$. Make sure you click on the box to enter your name and all that stuff. Somebody will write you back to confirm your registration. If you prefer, you can send a check (payable to Let Live Foundation) or well concealed cash, along with contact info to:

Let Live Foundation
c/o Food Fight Grocery
1217 SE Stark St
Portland, OR 97214

WHERE TO STAY

Stay in the Broadway Building on PSU campus! European style rooms with single beds, private bathrooms and kitchens. Green building with rain water harvesting, low energy usage, and recycled materials design. $40/ night in the Ondine and $50 per night in the Broadway Building with free wireless access, fans, coffee pots, phones, alarm clocks and linens (bedding and towels).

To reserve please email shc@pdx.edu or call 503-725-4336, Make sure to indicate you are with “The Vegan Conference”

Also, here is a link to some other options, a few more upscale fancy pants places if you feel like that kind of thing.

HOW TO GET HERE

Check out PSU’s Transit Website for up to date information on all types of transportation to and from PSU!

Directions to Portland State University:

By Car: Use this Google Map to find your way by car. Portland State is located in the heart of downtown Portland. Directions from anywhere can be obtained by clicking on “Get Directions to here,” then enter your starting address, and click “go.”

By Street Car: Taking the light rail? There are several stops at PSU, please visit their website for more information.

By Bus/MAX: Use Trimet’s Trip Planner to find your best route to PSU. Simply put “Portland State University” into the destination and your address to find your route!

You can find a printer-friendly campus map HERE. The conference will be located in the Smith Memorial Student Union building (SMSU) on Saturday and Sunday.

PARKING

The parking lots closest to Smith Memorial Student Union are Parking Lots 1 & 2. Parking Lot 2 has many more parking spots and would be the ideal choice.

Saturday: Pay to Park using the Pay-stations (Around 6$/day) in any of the lots below.
Sunday: Free to park on the street as well as in any of the locations below!

University Place (UPL), 310 SW Lincoln (2)
Parking Structure Three (PS3), Mill St. between 12th & 13th (3)
Parking Structure One (PS1), 6th & Harrison (5)
Shattuck Lot (6), College & Broadway
Art Lot (7), 5th & Jackson

WANNA TABLE?

****SORRY, AS OF THE END OF THE DAY, 6/12/09, TABLING IS FULL******

Wanna hang out and table and push your ideas/products on a bunch of animal rights whackos?Contact Chad and and discuss it. Limited space so reserve your table sooner rather than later.

Local Grassroots Groups: free half table
Larger non-profit: $100 for full table
Capitalist Scum Business: $200 full table

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Wanna be a pal and help sponsor the conference with some dollars? Check out these options. Interested in these or wanna make a suggestion? Contact Chad and he’ll help sort it out.

Friend: $25 and below. You get our undying gratitude.
Friend with Benefits: $25 – $100. You get a tote bag and a high-five.
Silver Supporter: $100 – $300. You get your name/banner on the LL Site.
Gold Supporter: $300-500. You get your name/banner on the LL Site and a shout-out on our email newsletters for the year (usually 1 email per month).
Platinum Sugar Daddy Status: $500 and above. You get all of the above plus a table at the LL Conference to do with what you wish, within reason.