Welcome to the Let Live Foundation Video page. We’re very excited about the potential of these videos to reach activists around the world, people who can’t normally make it to the big national AR conferences or don’t have the privilege of living somewhere where these types of events take place.
We encourage everyone to freely copy and distribute these videos. Embed them on your own website or blog or MySpace or Facebook page, email links around, show them on your local cable access channel. (Click in the middle of the video box and options will pop up, it’s easy.) If you need a hi-resolution version of any of these, just ask and we’ll help you out. The point is to get this information out there to as many caring folks as possible and make everyone better advocates for the animals.
You can also find stuff on our Vimeo page or BlipTV or podcast via iTunes (search podcasts for letlivemedia).
PS. If you can become a Vimeo member (it’s free) you have the ability to “like” these videos. The more people “like” them, the more likely they are to be seen randomly by people who visit the Vimeo site. Kinda sneaky, but… vote for these videos if you want to help spread the word.
LET LIVE ACTIVISM SERIES:
Discussing the Fur Industry w/ Matt Rossell
As the chill of winter descends across the United States, many will set their sights on the perfect winter coat: thick and fitted with a nice German Shepherd trim. Sound ridiculous? Unfortunately, it is not as far-fetched as it seems. Often purposely mislabeled by manufacturers as “faux fur,” dog and cat fur products are common in today’s marketplace despite being banned in 2000 after undercover video from Swiss Animal Protection, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and the Humane Society International exposed dogs and cats being disemboweled, skinned alive and hung still screaming from metal wire.
Such deceptive practices are common use in the fur industry, which kills more than 3 million animals in the United States alone. Despite a steep decline in demand in the 1980s and 1990s, fur has recently made a dramatic resurgence due to fashion campaign tactics toting fur as “green” and promises by manufacturers that the fur was obtained using “ethical fur sourcing.” This talk will focus on what these terms really mean and give you the tools you need to discuss the facts about fur knowledgeably and persuasively.
Change One Mile at a Time: Lisa Shannon and the Run for Congo Women
As you read these words, the deadliest conflict since World War II is raging in the Democratic Republic of Congo. To date, the death toll is estimated to be over 5 million people – more than Iraq, Afghanistan and Darfur combined. This war is not only brutal in its intensity but also in its tactics aimed at destroying the center of the Congolese community: women.
It was a story about the violent war against Congolese women that inspired vegan activist Lisa Shannon to get off the couch and begin training to run the rugged forest of Portland’s Wildwood Trail – over 30 miles – in hopes of raising enough money to sponsor 31 women through Women for Women International, a program that supports women in war-torn regions with financial and emotional aid and education. What started as a lone run in 2005 has since blossomed into a global movement with runs in 10 states and 4 countries.
Fresh from her appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Shannon will share her thoughts on the intersection between veganism and human rights, the power of grassroots movement, uniting against oppression and how one person can make a difference.
Sanctuary Stories: Tales of Hope Part 1 w/ Wayne Geiger
This year, nearly two thousand chimpanzees will be used for testing in laboratories across the United States. Thousands of animals will be left to starve on foreclosed farms and hundreds of malnourished horses will be abandoned on public lands because the cost of their care is too high. These are just a few examples of the types of abuse and neglect that animals face each day. Although many of these animals will never know kindness, affection or proper nutrition- for those who find their way to a sanctuary, there is hope. This talk highlights the inspiring stories of three Northwest no-kill sanctuaries that provide lifetime quality of life to abused, abandoned and neglected animals.
Wayne Geiger, Lighthouse Farm Animal Sanctuary: Started as an unofficial sanctuary in 1998, Lighthouse is currently home to two hundred farm animals who have suffered abuse and neglect. Lighthouse has helped provide homes for pigs displaced by the Iowa floods and works closely with the Humane Society of the United States to help abandoned and neglected horses.
Sanctuary Stories: Tales of Hope Part 2 w/ John Collins
John Collins, Out to Pasture (OTP): OTP provides permanent housing to abused, neglected and abandoned large farm animals, pigs, chickens, rabbits and dogs. OTP also does special work with miniature pigs and provides them with no-charge vet care. In addition to their sanctuary work, OTP also maintains feeding stations for feral cats and provides loaner traps and transportation so they can be spayed or neutered.
Sanctuary Stories: Tales of Hope Part 3 w/Diana Goodrich
Diana Goodrich, Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest (CSNW): Founded in 2003, CSNW is home to the “Cle Ellum Seven,” a group of seven chimpanzees released from biomedical research. Through education and collaboration, CSNW advocates on behalf of great apes in hopes of one day eliminating their exploitation for entertainment and biomedical research.
Confronting Classroom Cruelty w/ Justin Goodman
Did you know cats are one of the most frequently dissected animals in student laboratories in the United States? It is estimated over 100,000 cats are dissected in high school classrooms each year, and many more being used in colleges and universities across the country.
Classroom dissection, once considered the practice tool of choice for learning anatomy, physiology and the theory of evolution, has exposed greater questions of ethics and cruelty in the classroom. With a notable scientific shift to studying animals in their natural environment, and the advent of sophisticated learning tools, many question: how can we stop dissection in schools?
Culinary Activism w/ Isa Chandra Moskowitz
Moskowitz’s unique approach to activism focuses on education through better food choices, rather than traditional methods. “A tomato can be a revolutionary tool. My goal is to empower people in the kitchen and give them practical skills to change the world one sandwich at a time,” says Moskowitz, whose workshop includes tips on how to get vegan food to the masses, organizing bake sales and potlucks for fundraising and everyday activism.
Whether you are a seasoned activist, curious student or health food connoisseur seeking to enhance your repertoire, this workshop has something for everyone.
Skin Trade w/ Shannon Keith
With colder weather comes fur season. It starts appearing on racks in stores and on peoples backs around town. Most people don’t know what cruelty goes into their clothes as even fakes are often real dog and cat fur. With this in mind, and with the annual Fur Free Friday demonstrations coming up fast, we welcome acclaimed activist and director Shannon Keith who will be sharing segments of her new film Skin Trade, which is in production. Shannon is an animal and civil rights attorney, and the director of the award winning film, Behind the Mask. She is a regular speaker at animal rights conferences around the country and will be discussing the fur industry, her film, and leading a discussion about what we can all do to combat this cruel fashion. This discussion will cover audience member questions as well as how to combat industry arguments, outreach and education tips, and online activism options, amongst other topics.
Monkey Business: The Truth About Animal Testing and the ONPRC w/ Elaine Close and Matt Rossell
Elaine Close (Coalition to Abolish Animal Testing) and Matt Rossell (In Defense of Animals) discuss the bad science, bad treatment, and useless studies that surround the bulk of animal testing, focusing on the ONPRC (Oregon National Primate Research Center). They talk about what goes on at the primate lab, what you can do about it, and ways you can more effectively discuss this topic with others.
LET LIVE NW ANIMAL RIGHTS CONFERENCE 2009:
Will Potter Opens the 2009 Let Live Conference
Will Potter talks about the importance of community in this movement and how important it is for all of us to support each other in the pursuit of our common goals for the animals. This talk gets to the heart of what this conference is all about and will set the tone for the weekend.
Kim McCoy opens the 2009 Let Live Conference
Kim McCoy talks about the importance of community in this movement and how important it is for all of us to support each other in the pursuit of our common goals for the animals. This talk gets to the heart of what this conference is all about and will set the tone for the weekend.
Moving Beyond Our Differences w/ Will Potter
There have been, and always will be different factions within the animal advocacy movement. This discussion hopes to help us all acknowledge our differences and recognize our common ground so we can move forward towards our shared goals. This workshop will help all of us find a more productive form of communication and discourse.
Write for the Animals: Changing Lives, One Word at a Time w/ Jasmin Singer
The written word is a powerful way to influence behavior and affect social change. Learn how you can use the communication skills you already have to speak up for animals. Discover where you can gather new tools so that you can strengthen the effectiveness of your written voice. From writing articles in your local paper; publishing a letter-to-the-editor or OP-ED; blogging; or even through personal narrative, the art of the written word is something any activist can tap into. Join Farm Sanctuary’s National Advocacy Organizer, Jasmin Singer, as she walks you through how even a non-writer can get active for farm animals. Jasmin will talk from personal experience in the blogosphere world – including the trend of blogging as a means to create social change. She will also tell you how she became a freelance writer with several magazines and online publications – and how you can too. Most importantly, you will leave with the ability to take the first steps in speaking out for the animals by using your written voice to raise awareness and compassion.
Creative Fundraising and Publicity for your group w/ Jenny Brown
Paying the bills, raising money for new campaigns, and getting media and public attention can be a daunting task for any size group. Jenny Brown has been finding creative ways to tackle these problems for years and will lead a discussion to help the rest of us.
Marketing Our Message: Outreach on a Budget w/ Erica Meier
This talk will discuss cost effective ways to reach out to the public including TV, ads, local newspapers, social networking, etc.
Tactics & Tools for the Effective Activist w/ Erica Meier
Solo, or with a group, time-tested tools can be crucial for any activist to be effective. This talk will cover some of those proven tools and how to apply them in an organized and efficient manner, including leafleting, feed-ins, reaching out to restaurants, letters to the ed, etc. This talk will also include a basic overview of Internet based activist opportunities.
Humane Education: An Essential Element of Animal Activism w/ Marsha Rakestraw
Education is a powerful and essential tool for creating a compassionate, just world for all beings, and we as animal activists ignore it at the animals’ peril. In this interactive presentation, learn about the philosophy of comprehensive humane education, which involves helping people make choices that do the most good and least harm for all people, animals and the planet; learn about the importance of approaching global problems from an interconnected perspective, and gain some practical tools for engaging people in exploring the power of their own choices to make personal and systemic change for a better world.
Campaign Development: Goals, Strategy, and Tactics w/ Lauren Ornelas
Grassroots animal liberation activists take on billion-dollar industries every day. Despite the odds against us we refuse to back down and, time after time, we win. This is not luck. This is a result of dedication and understanding the importance of making the most out of our limited resources by building strategic campaigns. Join us in examining how to make our actions count, set achievable goals, and develop campaign strategies and tactics that will help ensure victory.
Protest Conduct and First Amendment Issues w/ Jennifer Kaplan
This talk will discuss the parameters of the First Amendment as it relates to animal rights activism, including publication of information, conduct at protests, and dealing with injunctions.
Thinking Outside the Lockbox: Making Our Actions Count in a Changing Activist Environment w/ Justin Goodman and David Hayden
All too often when we see a tactic work in one setting we jump to the assumption that tactic will work in any situation. But to be effective activists it is imperative that we select our tactics based on a particular campaign strategy that has been crafted to meet specific goals. This topic would focus on getting beyond the rhetoric and examining how to effectively mesh goals, strategy and tactics.
Transforming Group Dynamics: Effective Strategies to Empower and Energize Activist Groups w/ Karen Hixson
Are you tired of group dynamics getting in the way of activism? Rather than continuing on the path of frustration and burnout, we are committed to increasing awareness of effective internal strategies to support our activist groups. Join us for a one hour interactive discussion where we will offer case studies that describe common challenges groups encounter and possible solutions. Bring your ideas and resources as we support each other in making our groups more energized, healthy and sustainable.
Dealing with Confrontation at Outreach Events w/ Matt Rossell, Nick Hensey
During outreach, protest, and tabling events activists will sometimes be forced to deal with confrontational people. We will discuss common challenges street level activists may encounter and how we can diffuse tense situations, calm negative interactions, and refocus the discussion on the issue at hand.
Sanctuary Stories: The ups, downs, and effectiveness of sanctuary life w/ Gene Baur, Jenny Brown, Doug Abel
A behind the scenes look at life on an animal sanctuary. Our speakers will discuss the good times, the bad, and how sanctuaries are great outreach tools towards a less violent world.
That Just Happened! w/ Gene Bauer, Craig Rosebraugh, Jasmin Singer, Jay Johnson, Kim McCoy
Join us for an hour of our panel’s funniest/most embarrassing stories from their activist past. Really, you don’t want to miss this one. Common ground shall be found.
LET LIVE NW ANIMAL RIGHTS CONFERENCE 2008:
Understanding Our Audience w/ Courtney Dillard
Understanding your audience is critical to effective activism, and in this workshop you’ll get an overview of why and how to learn more about the people and behaviors that you’re trying to change. It begins with understanding who your audience /is not/. Anyone who seeks to persuade others to change needs to understand those people in great depth. This workshop will help you narrow your focus, target a specific audience, and learn more about that audience using research.
Striking at the Roots w/ Mark Hawthorne
Animal activism is one of the most debated and misunderstood issues of our day. How does a caring person put their passion for compassion to work for animals while avoiding the pitfalls that can interfere with their message?
Drawing on his own years of activism experience, as well as insights gained from interviewing more than 100 activists around the world, Mark Hawthorne – the author of “Striking at the Roots: A Practical Guide to Animal Activism” – offers advice and suggestions for getting active for animals. He debunks the major myths about animal activism, discusses the most empowering approaches for speaking out, and addressess the emotional hurdle nearly every activist faces: burnout.
