Linda Strawberry - Fur Is Dead! March 31, 2008
Posted by Ashleigh | Permalink | Comments ( 4 ) | TrackBack
TAGGED:
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Hi everyone! I'm back and I have another gorgeous "Fur Is Dead" supporter for you to meet: Linda Strawberry!
Linda's motto is, "let's get more creative and be less about being famous". This violet-haired, Santa Claus believing, song-writing machine is an LA transplant from Utah. She is a visual and sonic artist who values compassion and knows that "Fur Is Dead"! See her on MySpace and Buzznet and drop her a line!
Check out our Q&A with Linda about the campaign:
Do you have any fashion "do's" and "don'ts"?
Not really because I think fashion is another way to express creativity. So, I don't like fashion "rules". I think people should be able to look like whatever they want. I love making my own clothes and trying to make basic things look more interesting. That said, I have an "outfit" that is default: black tights, black boots, black miniskirt and black tank-top.
Why do you choose not to wear real fur?
Because I think fur is beautiful on the animals that grew it on their own skin. When I see it on humans it just looks like death . . . evidence of the murder of a once beautiful creature. GO FAUX!!
What is your favorite animal? Why?
Larry, my fat cat. He is my favorite animal because he sings and he's the cutest little love machine I have ever met.
Do you have a favorite vegetarian dish? If so, what is it?
Anything at Real Food Daily. But probably the cashew cheese nachos.
Stay tuned to the peta2 blog for more updates about all the wonderful people taking part in the "Fur Is Dead" campaign!
-Ashleigh
Oh, and please sign the 100,000 Strong Against Fur Pledge if you haven't already!
Cutest Vegetarian Girls! March 31, 2008
Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 4 ) | TrackBack
TAGGED:
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By now, hopefully most of you have seen the adorable finalists for our Cutest Vegetarian Alive contest. Maybe you've spent lots of time figuring out who you want to vote for, but it's just so hard (I hear ya!). Well, maybe it would be a bit easier if you knew, say, what the finalists can't stop eating. Some of the girls have shared with me what their favorite vegetarian foods are, so I thought I'd let you lovely blog readers in on that, too.
Kelly Anderson: PF Chang's tofu dishes; Amy's black bean enchiladas
Carissa Danesi: Edamame; Vegetables; Tofu
Jenni Goodman: Tofutti Cuties; the vegan Philly Cheesesteak with vegan cheese at One World Café
Savannah Grissinger: Tofu cooked with soy sauce and noodles; Pita bread filled with salad
Amanda Groves: Tofu mixed with vegetables and fried up, eaten with soy sauce!
Alexis Hilfman: Morningstar Farms fake meats; Fruit
Megan Osgood: Popcorn w/ spices; PB&J; Tofu
Ashley Peterson: Soy Chai Lattes; Morningstar Farms products; Salad
Emily Rohady: Pasta; Salad
Did all that food talk make you hungry? Go grab some veggie food, and then come back and vote for the girls and guys you want to move onto Round 2.
Also, a few of the finalists have made short videos about why you should vote for them, which I'll be sharing on the blog. First up is Kelly Anderson. Check it out!
♥ Marta
March Madness: Vote for the Evil Eight! March 28, 2008
Posted by Ryan | Permalink | Comments ( 15 ) | TrackBack
TAGGED:
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Just when you thought things couldn't get any crazier, the quest to find the cruelest college in the country has revved up a notch! All 16 of last week's contenders proved tough teams to beat, but only 8 could advance, and despite some powerful showings from Pittsburgh, KSU, Washington State, OSU, Purdue, Hopkins, Vanderbilt, and the University of Washington, only the nastiest can move forward ... so without further delay let's get down to narrowing the field even further as we prepare to put these vivisectors on the national stage in the Fatal Four next week!
Just like last week, I'll be highlighting what I consider to be the key matchup in this exciting tournament, and you can consult the cheat sheet to help determine who else to vote into the next round. Use the voting form or leave a comment to cast a vote for this week's Vilest Vivisectors in the Evil Eight!
Duke University vs. Texas A&M
Michael Platt, Duke Like 'em or hate 'em, Duke University always puts forward a strong team, and for the past decade, that's been largely due to the work of their MVP, Michael Platt, who drills metal screws into monkeys' skulls, pushes electrodes into their brains, and implants wire coils under their eyelids. A similar winning technique has been made popular by UConn's David Waitzman—another strong contender in this tournament, so if we're lucky, we may see a classic Big East/ACC showdown in the finals this year. The published results of Mr. Platt's cruel experiments include such timeless pieces of knowledge as the fact that one rhesus macaque monkey will often look in the same direction as another rhesus macaque monkey, so there's no question that Michael's earning his keep! To vote for Michael Platt, use the form or leave a comment below. |
Michelle Hook, Texas A&M Texas A&M might traditionally be the underdog in this matchup, but don't make the mistake of underestimating Michelle Hook of Texas A&M University's Department of Psychology. Her medium of choice is rats, and from the sounds of it, there's not much she hasn't done when it comes to slicing and dicing these animals. Michelle's preferred technique involves cutting up the animals' spinal cords, injecting them with chili pepper solution, pushing them into restraint tubes, and electroshocking their hind legs. Hook's world-beating conclusion speaks for itself: "These data suggest that peripheral inflammation, accompanying spinal cord injuries, might have an adverse effect on recovery." You heard it here first, folks: Giving electric shocks to torture victims might slow down their recovery time! To vote for Michelle Hook, use the form or leave a comment below. |
Use the dropdown menus to pick a winner!
- Ryan!
Sean Starkey and Jessica Louise - Fur Is Dead! March 28, 2008
Posted by Lara Sanders | Permalink | Comments ( 2 ) | TrackBackThere is nothing better than fashion—especially fur-free fashion! That's why I am so very pleased to introduce you to our next two Fur Is Dead supporters: Jessica Louise and Sean Starkey!
Jessica runs an amazing custom clothing line, called Jessica Louise, which has been seen everywhere from the pages of AP Magazine to the back of Avril Lavigne. Jessica Louise Clothing can be described, much like the artist herself, as equal parts punk rock power and fairy-tale girliness. I love it!
Check out out Q&A with Jessica below:
What do you define as your personal style?
When I am going out for an event, my style is classic girly pencil skirt or dress with a ruffle stripe top custom jewelry by Natalia Fabia heels socks and sock garters.
If I am working, 100% all about comfort cotton t, jeans, hoodie, and Chuck Taylor's.
Do you have any fashion "do's" and "don'ts"?
Fashion do's: lots of bright cottons in soft textiles, be comfortable in your own skin what ever makes you feel beautiful (unless it involves the harm of another creature) is a fashion do.
Don'ts: super cut off jeans shorts where your ass hangs out with a cropped shirt and neon visor, spandex with sweat & head bands, gloves or any other object that is not actually a hat as a hat. And obviously any fur or pelt of any nature.
Why do you choose not to wear real fur?
Because my vanity is not more important than the life (or lives) of other creatures. There is no need to wear fur. There are so many beautiful alternatives. People who wear fur are under the false assumption that it makes them seem more sleek or expensive, when in reality it just makes them less appealing and trashy.
What is your favorite animal? Why?
Beaver - The waffle tail is appealing, excellent swimming skills, one of my favorite animals to draw and discuss.
Shark- Powerful magnificent and very scary.
Black Bear- Just beautiful I love bears I draw them all the time. My main logo is a bear head.
Sea Turtle- Sea turtles esp but all turtles for some reason make me smile. I see a photo of a sea turtle and it makes me happy.
Also Chihuahua, Red eared slider turtles, and adopted stray cats. We have a 2.1.1 ratio of those in our family.
Do you have a favorite vegetarian dish? If so, what is it?
Certainly: Amy's Soy Mac & Cheese. Who doesn't love mac & cheese, and this one is the best I've ever eaten- and I've tried a lot of different kinds.
Sean works for the absolutely amazing photography icon and PETA friend David LaChapelle, building and designing sets. He has also fronted two bands you might be familiar with: KarmaHitlist and ShotBlue!
Get to know Sean a lil better with our Q&A with him below!
What do you define as your personal style?
Civilized Disobedience in tight black Wrangler stay press.
Do you have any fashion "do's" and "don'ts"?
Dont's: Socks and sandals, cut off socks for wristbands, baggy Dickies, and squirts.
Do's: Tight jeans, slim fit t-shirts, corsets, way too many necklaces, and grandma sunglasses—looks jazzy!
Why do you choose not to wear real fur?
Because my dad was a hunter and used to kill animals. It grossed me out hardcore. It's traumatic. Only lame rich upscale wannabes would wear real fur. We're not bloody cavemen trekking across the Arctic. Use your brain. Clothing has evolved, and so should you.
What is your favorite animal? Why?
Meerkat. Meerkat Manor, need I say more? Top notch!
Do you have a favorite vegetarian dish? If so, what is it?
I like Soyriso...the Mexican dish, instead of chorizo. It's good in a tortilla with hot sauce. Boogie down now! (jazz hands)
Thanks guys!
xoxo-Lara
P.S. I just saw the Buzznet video from the Skelanimals' Fur Is Dead photo shoot, and it's amazing!
Check it out by clicking on it!
We're Loving Leona! March 28, 2008
Posted by Patricia | Permalink | Comments ( 4 ) | TrackBackToday's blog features guest blogger, peta2 UK's Violet...
One of peta2's new [bleeding] loves (besides Panic at the Disco's single—it's so bloody catchy!) is unsurprisingly the lovely Leona Lewis! Not only one of the most talented ladies in pop, but she's a great friend to the animals and this month she's guest blogging for one of our favourite mags, Cosmogirl!
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Leona is managed by fellow animal friend Simon Cowell (yes please) and she's a girl after our own heart. She loves shopping, shoes and handbags, but she also loves animals and knows that they shouldn't have to suffer for anyone's shopping spree. In the past she's said, "I hate the thought of animals being killed just for our pleasure, so I won't wear leather."
Three cheers for Leona!
*Violet
X
P.S. Simon Cowell is my ONLY celebrity crush (except Morrissey - but that's different).
Free Stuff Friday: We Clean - You Win! March 28, 2008
Posted by Ashleigh | Permalink | Comments ( 79 ) | TrackBackIt's springtime! That means sunshine, warmer weather, and CLEANING! Spring cleaning is something that we all have to do at some point, and some of us here at peta2 have been slacking . . . but we all sucked it up, and cleaned out our prize closets and are giving stuff away!
This glorious Free Stuff Friday prize is a grab bag. Your prize will include some of these items: a "Question Authority" tee (size men's M or XL), "Friends Don't Let Friends Eat Meat" patches, signed The (International) Noise Conspiracy tees (youth size L and XL) and a signed hat, "Speaking Up for Animals Keynote Address" DVD, "The Path of Compassion" CD, "Liberation Songs to Benefit PETA" CD, and the book Sacred Cows and Golden Geese. I know you want this!
We have so much to give away it covers Nicole completely! And notice the sweet shirt and hat Ryan is sporting!
Ten lucky boys and girls will win. I'm serious, 10 of you! To win, comment below with your preferred t-shirt size (though I can't make any promises) and how you are going to help animals this spring! Oh, and also let me know if you love The (International) Noise Conspiracy!
This contest ends April 11, 2008 and the winners will be chosen and notified by April 18, 2008!
Just so you know...by commenting here, we're taking that as acknowledgment that you've read and agreed to our privacy policy.
Also by commenting, you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions.
Good Luck!
-Ashleigh
It's Time for Deflocked, People March 27, 2008
Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 5 ) | TrackBack
TAGGED:
Seals Seal Hunt DeFlocked Jeff Corriveau pigs
So amazing! I can't get enough of Deflocked!
Click for a larger version
To check out past installments, click here.
♥ Marta
Porter from Atreyu Signs Fur Is Dead Petition! March 27, 2008
Posted by Nicole | Permalink | Comments ( 2 ) | TrackBackSo as you know, our lovely little outreach staff are out and about listening to Bullet For My Valentine, BlessTheFall, Avenged Sevenfold, and Atreyu every night on that tour a few of you may have heard of...Taste Of Chaos. Oh yeah, Cody, Susan, Paige, and John are also working their asses off every night informing anyone and everyone about the hideousness found within the fur industry, but ya know what, they get to listen to Bullet For My Valentine every night, so I consider them lucky!
Anyway, not only are adorable little concertgoers such as yourselves signing the Fur Is Dead petition, but so are the bands! Porter, bassist for Atreyu, stopped by and wanted to add his name to the list of people who are sickened at the fact that millions of cats, dogs, rabbits, chinchillas, foxes, etc. are brutally killed for their fur.
So if you don't want to see kitties like my wonderful Kingston below (who is definitely a cat, but resembles a squirrel, and ironically carries the nickname "Chinchilla") beaten, electrocuted, drowned, or even skinned alive, then be sure to add your name to the petition to be one of the 100,000 strong against fur.
Bye bye.
nicole
P.S. Kingston is the most beautiful, wonderful, and amazing boy in the whole wide world. He knows it, I know it, all of peta2 knows it, so I just dare anyone to try and tell me otherwise.
Rockstar Taste of Chaos: We're so Fly, We're Poppin' March 27, 2008
Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 1 ) | TrackBack
TAGGED:
fur Boston Taste of Chaos concerts furisdead
It's about a month into the launch of our Skelanimals Fur Is Dead campaign (Pledge to be 100,000 strong against fur!), and out here on the Rockstar Taste of Chaos tour us Road Warriors are rockin' it out, hardcore.
Earlier this week in Boston we had an amazing Street Teamer help us out and show Boston what's up.
And now, one of our favorite parts of tour (and life): GOOD VEG FOOD. We had a nice little family dinner at The Macaroni Grill in Atlanta. We all created our own pasta dishes with a HUGE selection of ingredients, yum!
They even gave us crayons which we used to create family portraits, cupcake style! I think it represents our crew perfectly. We suggest you get in touch with your inner cupcake.
Also this week, VERY EXCITING, Sarah joined us on the road to help spread the FUR IS DEAD word. You may recognize her from other such rad summer events such as Vans Warped Tour and Sounds of the Underground. Needless to say, she rules.
That's it for now, we're off to celebrate (soy) ice cream Monday, we suggest you do the same! Our recommendation: Peanut Butter Zig Zag from Purely Decadent. It makes us smile.
Peace out home slices.
- peta2 Road Warriors
Bloody Burberry: The Fur Fighters (Video Game) March 26, 2008
Posted by Pulin Modi | Permalink | Comments ( 6 ) | TrackBackCheck out this new game to help build some more support for the campaign to get fur out of Burberry stores.
I haven't had this much fun since Super Chick Sisters.
In Bloody Burberry: The Fur Fighters, you get to play as a fox, rabbit, or raccoon, and participate in cool anti-fur actions including spray painting fur coats, disrupting a fur-filled fashion show, and freeing animals from cages! Those things in reality are illegal, so you shouldn't do them. But, you can do them all you want in this game and then be inspired to go out and make a difference on the peta2 Street Team.
How did you do? Comment back and let me know! I beat the game on the first try (probably because I hate Burberry so much, otherwise I'm pretty horrible at video games... got my butt whooped in Super Smash Brothers last night).
Sabina Kelley - Fur Is Dead! March 26, 2008
Posted by Lara Sanders | Permalink | Comments ( 4 ) | TrackBack
TAGGED:
fur furisdead Skelanimals Sabina Kelley pinup model tattoo
Is it just me, or does it seem like everyone supporting the Fur Is Dead campaign is really, really, ridiculously good looking? Case in point, the next Fur Is Dead supporter I am profiling is internationally known pinup model Sabina Kelley.
Sabina is a well-known pinup model and burlesque dancer from Vegas. Sabina also owns the Staytrue Tattoo shop with her husband, and is covered in tattoos. I am sure she would support the peta2 statement "Ink Not Mink"!
Find out more about Sabina by taking a look at our Q&A with her below:
What do you define as your personal style?
I'm a Pinup Model, so I guess I define my style a cross of Rockabilly and Psychobilly. I love the 40's and 50's style from the cuffed up blue jean capris to the glamorous dresses. I have a Bettie Page haircut and always wear red lipstick. I'm obsessed with high heels and vintage lingerie.
Do you have any fashion "do's" and "don'ts"?
My fashion do's: always have a pair of black heels and a tube of red lipstick in your car, you never know when you're gonna get a flat tire and need some roadside assistance. Ha ha! My fashion don'ts are never wear sweats out of the house unless you're going to the gym, and never wear turtle necks or shoulder pads. Also, never wear socks if you're wearing capris. I don't like socks anyway unless I have to wear them to go bowling.
Why do you choose not to wear real fur? I don't wear real fur because I'm an animal lover, and I don't like it when people take my coat when it's cold outside, so why would you take an animal's?
What is your favorite animal? Why?
My favorite animal is a dog. I have an 80 pound Pit-bull who is my best friend. She never pisses me off and always loves me no matter what.
Do you have a favorite vegetarian dish? If so, what is it? My favorite vegetarian dish is a vegetarian burrito. Mexican food is my favorite and veggie burritos are the best!
What a doll! Thanks Sabina!
xoxo-Lara
Vegan Doritos! March 25, 2008
Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 31 ) | TrackBack
TAGGED:
food Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili
Yes! It's true, people—there are vegan Doritos out on the market. I heard the rumors this past week, and when I was at the ole grocery store this weekend, buying my usual necessities, I spotted the allusive Spicy Sweet Chili Doritos. Needless to say, that bag was in my cart in the blink of an eye.
Basically all you need to know is the chips are delicious! As a former Cool Ranch Doritos addict (in my pre-vegan days, of course), these chips are sure to be my new addiction. I will be purchasing another bag in the near future, for sure. Yay for Doritos for making a vegan chip (however accidental that may have been!)!
And now, my roomie Jen and I would like to share with you our Doritos experience, in pictures:
Have you tried the chips yet? Let me know what you think of them!
♥ Marta
Jason Mageau - Fur Is Dead! March 24, 2008
Posted by Ashleigh | Permalink | Comments ( 3 ) | TrackBack
TAGGED:
fur furisdead Skelanimals Jason Mageau
Hey guys! I have another "Fur Is Dead" supporter for you to meet: Jason Mageau!
Jason is a graphic designer who hails from Los Angeles. He fell in love with design while creating and selling merch on tour with his screamo band ShotBlue. Like most people when they fall in love, Jason put everything else on hold and decided to pursue his passion full-time. He and a friend partnered to create Malus Clothing (which is awesome!) and he is now the Creative Director for the Skelanimals Men's line. How cool is that? What I think is even cooler is that both Malus and Skelanimals say N-O to fur!
Check out our Q&A with Jason about the campaign:
What do you define as your personal style?
I am a pretty basic guy, my closet consists of mainly black . . . a few colors here and there. I love striped shirts right now. To be honest I try to not follow trends, but get what I like from a brand no matter if it is sold at the local hot spot or not. If I see something I like, I make it work.
Do you have any fashion "do's" and "don'ts"?
I try not to accessorize. I have many tattoos and adding more than I need to an outfit is tacky. There are a lot of people who think more is better...in all honesty, less is more. You do not want to look like a combination of your favorite store's jewelry section on each of your hands, fingers and arms. I mean I know jelly bracelets are cool and all, but you don't need 150 on each wrist. I also would never wear real leather, fur, or anything taken from an animal.
Why do you choose not to wear real fur?
I know enough about textiles and the resources the fashion industry can get their hands on. There is no reason in my mind you should strut your stuff with a fox around your neck. Try this next time you need to keep your neck warm...walk up to your little brother or sister, knock them out cold and toss them over your shoulder and see the response you get from people in the mall. It is the same concept for me. Bottom line -- it is barbaric.
What is your favorite animal? Why?
I have to say I am a huge cat lover. I somehow relate to my cat I have now as if he were my lil' buddy, like if he could talk I would be able to finish his sentences. I know it sounds weird, but my kitty is in the window at the exact time I pull up from work. He then runs down to the door to say hello every day. He knows when to make noise in the morning if I choose to hit snooze more than one time, and get me out of bed...he's a smart lil' guy.
Do you have a favorite vegetarian dish? If so, what is it?
I have yet to really venture into vegetarian food, but I am slowly learning about it.
Jason is so great! I wish that everyone boycotted using animal products in clothing. Stay tuned to the peta2 blog for more updates from all the wonderful people taking part in the "Fur Is Dead" campaign!
-Ashleigh
PS - Don't forget to sign the 100,000 Strong Against Fur Pledge if you haven't yet!
Students Taking Over! March 24, 2008
Posted by Ryan | Permalink | Comments ( 5 ) | TrackBackOh, spring is in the air, and the students on college campuses are taking FULL advantage of it!
Here's a little recap from 4 of the recent "Student Spotlight" entries we've received over the past week:
- Students at Michigan State University have an AMAZING campaign against the circus coming to their campus
- The student group at the University of Texas held an "Only Zombies Eat Flesh" vegan food giveaway!
- A student at Cal State University in L.A. filmed her own anti-fur public service announcement (view the video here)
- The student group at Brock University held Vegan Taco Day on campus!
As you can tell, there is no shortage of great activism taking place on college campuses this month!
So what did I do this past week? I took some time off and visited Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in DC. Look at this awesome exhibit I found in the Human Development section!
I couldn't have said it better myself!
- Ryan!
Some Of The Coolest Kids In The World March 24, 2008
Posted by Pulin Modi | Permalink | Comments ( 3 ) | TrackBackBefore I made the switch into some more office-based work for peta2, I used to do a lot of tabling and stuff on the road. And even before that in high school and college, I spent years tabling shows in NJ and NY at all sorts of venues from little halls with a few dozen people per show (with bands like Shadows Fall and Thursday as they were coming up) to larger festivals (like Warped Tour in the late 90s). The thing that's always been most exciting for me is that I got to meet inspiring people everywhere who care about doing something positive for the world.
I recently got a chance to check out some shows tabling for peta2 and wanted to share some photos. The first was the Taste of Chaos tour in Philly. It was awesome and people were really into the Fur Is Dead campaign. It was crazy to see Avenged Sevenfold with a huge setup for the show including pyotechnics and all. One of the first tours I did for peta2 was A7X opening for Rise Against in 2003 to crowds of maybe one hundred people. So this was definitely a step up for them.
Check out Rebecca and Caitie showing off their shirts at the peta2 table.
Then last week, I went to check out Earth Crisis and Shai Hulud! These are among the most influential and well-respected hardcore bands on the face of the planet, and Karl from Earth Crisis also handles vocal duties for Freya. Many of you have no doubt seen the amazing anti-animal testing video for Struggle To Survive from Freya, too. Here are some pics from that.
We had a slightly misprinted petition sheet around so we let Matt Fletcher of Shai Hulud use one for his band's setlist.
Spot the peta2 banner during Earth Crisis!
Awesome Richmond vegan straight edge kids and their XVX shirts!
A closer look at those shirts.
So overall, I just wanted to say thanks to everyone I've ever met on the road. And please do stay in touch with any peta2 staffers you ever meet at protests, shows, or anywhere else. We all love hearing about all that you do, and hopefully the feeling is mutual. Send us your Street Team feedback, photos, videos, and always feel free just to say hello.
Time To Fight The Circus March 23, 2008
Posted by Pulin Modi | Permalink | Comments ( 12 ) | TrackBackHello! We have a fun and very effective idea for how to help animals who are abused for the circus. Are you up for it?
Basically, there are circuses like Ringling Bros out on the road right now, and these companies are pretty cruel to animals. Before they come to your town these traveling acts spend a lot of money on advertising what we consider is one of the cruelest shows on earth! Sometimes these shady people put free tickets or discount coupons at stores, gas stations, and schools with hope that people will come out to see their show. But we have a plan and need your help!
1) Keep your eye out for those free circus tickets or discount coupons around town.
2) Take them all. (As long as they don't say there's a limit of how many you take, just grab the whole stack.)
3) Mail the tickets to us (peta2, 501 Front St., Norfolk, VA 23510, USA) or email StreetTeam@peta2.com with a photo of them in your trash can!
4) You'll get 1000 Street Team points!
Let's work towards the day where no animals will be chained, beaten, and abused for the sake of entertainment. People need to be taught lessons of compassion, not cruelty, right?
Thanks for making a difference each and every day!
peta2 Exclusive from PETA VP Dan Mathews! March 21, 2008
Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 2 ) | TrackBack
TAGGED:
Morrissey Pink Committed Dan Mathews book
We have a very special treat for you today—a guest blog from PETA VP Dan Mathews himself. Be sure to check out his MySpace page to see where you can see him at a bookstore near you starting Monday. Enjoy!
-Marta
Attention anybody who eats vegetables but parties like an animal: join me at a book store near you! I'm hitting the road over the next month, from San Diego to Vermont, to do readings and signings of my twisted animal rights memoir Committed—out now in paperback (see blurbs below from Pink, Morrissey and the Hipster Book Club). The readings are always a blast and attract all sorts: young pierced trendoids, radical grannies, and vegan homos like me!
The book is a breezy read and explains how I first empathized with animals after I realized the bullies who beat me up in high school were the same thugs who mangled the alley cats behind our dumpy apartment. It also reveals some of the ups and downs of being on PETA's front lines, including my favorite jails, my least favorite costumes and the most interesting freaks I've encountered along the way! Maybe you are one of them. Check out this sample chapter—which disses furry Madonna and shows how Morrissey first got involved—exclusive for peta2. And come to my MySpace page for a list of dates.
Hope to see ya soon!
"Mathews writes with the infectious exuberance expected from a sunny California punk rocker, and he almost makes readers wish they were present for the demonstrations and the break-ins perpetrated by PETA. Charming, breezy, and thoughtful, it's easy to forget that Mathews is the vice president of a highly provocative animal rights group. But despite the occasional descriptions of animal cruelty, Committed is a lively romp through an oft-misunderstood sub-culture that may just change people's minds about the way they eat and what they wear."
-Hipster Book Club
"Hilarious! It's like James Bond with freaky costumes, police chases, jet-set intrigue, and a kick-ass sense of justice."
-Pink
"Twenty years on I am still in awe of Dan. Every single day of his life he is in a different corner of the world saving animals—none too big, none too small, none too far away. Dan is there, getting arrested, causing a flurry with the press, and his success stories are phenomenal. He is the ideal American hero."
-Morrissey
-Dan Mathews
Michelle Star - Fur Is Dead! March 21, 2008
Posted by Lara Sanders | Permalink | Comments ( 0 ) | TrackBackHey guys! I have another "Fur Is Dead" supporter for you...the lovely and talented, Michelle Star! Michelle is a cutting-edge music and fashion photographer, who has worked with everyone from All Time Low to Pink to Plain White T's.
She also shoots for clothing companies like peta2 fave Skelanimals, and shot all of the gorgeous "Fur Is Dead" ads you have been enjoying these last few weeks.
Take a peek at Michelle's beautiful self-portrait below, and then check out our Q&A with her!
What do you define as your personal style?
I am influenced by a lot of independent designers and the music industry. As far as clothing goes, I keep it simple, but like wearing a lot of different accessories. Even though I wear a lot of black, I like incorporating color into my style by dyed hair, tattoos and accessories. It's hard to define a person's style, but overall I like being creative and unique. Being that I am a photographer, I am drawn to interesting people, and love being creative in everything that I do.
Do you have any fashion "do's" and "don'ts"?
I would just say wear what you feel comfortable wearing that goes with your personal style, and don't try to wear things other people do just to try and fit in. As far as what not to wear I am sure there are a million things I could say, but I am going to stick with not wearing fur.
Why do you choose not to wear real fur?
I wouldn't wear my dog's fur so why would I wear fur from any other animal? I think it's cruel to kill animals for fashion. Every creature should have a right to live free from pain and suffering.
What is your favorite animal? Why?
When I was younger my favorite animals were panda bears and polar bears because they are just so cute, but I fell in love with dogs once I got an Italian Greyhound. She is so playful and loving and has a personality of her own.
Do you have a favorite vegetarian dish? If so, what is it?
I like a lot of different pastas and I am also a big fan of edamame.
Thanks girl! I actually just met Michelle at SXSW and she is just as cool in person as she sounds. Speaking of cool, have you played our new Skelanimals Quiz yet?
xoxo-Lara
Free Stuff Friday: Tippitappi T-shirts! March 21, 2008
Posted by Ashleigh | Permalink | Comments ( 217 ) | TrackBack
TAGGED:
Contest win Free Stuff Friday Tippitappi T-shirts
I have the most amazing free stuff to give away today: t-shirts from Tippitappi! The shirts are made with organic cotton, are totally vegan (would you expect anything else from your friends at peta2?) and help you speak out for animals. Lara and her boyfriend both sport these shirts, so you should too! Check out the sweet tees:
I personally think the company name is super cute too. I just finished puppy-sitting for a little dog named Tippy, so I am probably biased on that point!
Two lucky boys AND two lucky girls will each walk away with an amazing t-shirt. To win, comment below with your t-shirt size and your favorite animal rights t-shirt slogan! My personal favorite is the classic "I am not a Nugget." It is so simple, but so true.
This contest ends April 4, 2008 and the winner will be chosen and notified by April 11, 2008!
Just so you know...by commenting here, we're taking that as acknowledgment that you've read and agreed to our privacy policy.
Also by commenting, you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions.
Good Luck!
-Ashleigh
I Heart Japanese Food March 20, 2008
Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 25 ) | TrackBack
TAGGED:
food sushi Japanese veggie ham
I'm going to go ahead and say it: Eating is probably like, one of my top five favorite activities in life. Ever. It's a necessary part of life, so why not make it enjoyable? Who's with me?
I ate some delicious vegan Japanese food today: veggie chicken with broccoli, avocado sushi, and a delectable salad. It made my stomach very, very happy, needless to say.
Not to make you jealous or anything, but check out the Japanese food Pulin devoured recently:
Yup, you're looking at veggie ham teriyaki, brown rice, avocado rolls, and deep-fried potato goodness. It's like we've been telling you all along: Vegan food is incredible. And no animals were tortured for your taste buds. Win, win.
Comment below with the vegan deliciousness you devoured today (even if it was simply a PB&J—yum!).
♥ Marta
Taste Of Chaos Is Getting Hip and With It! March 20, 2008
Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 5 ) | TrackBack
TAGGED:
Music food fur Taste of Chaos furisdead
Howdy y'all! We're on our third week of the Taste Of Chaos tour and we're getting loads of folks to pledge to be fur-free!
Thanks to the incredible help from our lovely Street Teamers (Are you one?! No? Become one, sucka!) we have been able to dominate venues and 'fur'-sho been able to get pretty buttons on those that have pledged to be part of 100,000 Strong Against Fur.
One of the recent stops was in Chicago, and as you all know the food there is drool-worthy. This time, we went to hit up Pick Me Up Café. John ordered some INCREDIBLE—and very drool worthy—vegan French toast and our friend Shan got some spicy tofu-scramble. Our buds—the taste buds—gave us high-fives for this meal.
So, in the coming week we're heading down South! Come out and say hello! If you want, why not win some tickets so you'll have some money? Sounds good, eh?
Hearts and farts,
- peta2 Road Warriors and Shan
SXSW Recap March 19, 2008
Posted by Nicole | Permalink | Comments ( 7 ) | TrackBackHello all! So last week Lara and I spent our time in the ultra relaxing Austin, Texas, for the super low-key and laid-back SXSW festival. Sense a bit of sarcasm there, folks? Wow what a crazy week...what a crazy week indeed!
We co-hosted a party with our good friends over at Victory Records and I was able to catch up with The Audition and Between The Buried And Me, who both played the party.
 |  |
I also got to meet up with the darling Shawn, from The Matches, for a scrumptious little vegan dinner. The Matches have just released a brand new album, A Band In Hope, so be sure to check it out!
I also got to catch up with the sweetie Pouyan from SKSK, this year's winner of the "Best Newcomer" Libby Award. Wow do those guys put on one of hell of a live show!
So that, m'dears, is just a brief recap of some of the brouhaha that went down in Austin. Oh wait, there is one more pic I want to share:
Cheers!
nicole
P.S. Shawn was sweet enough to sign a copy of A Band In Hope for one of you lucky little devils. So comment below with an oh-so-clever caption for my pic with Oscar Mayer for your chance to win the signed CD! The contest ends April 4 and a winner will be notified by April 11.
Just so you know, by giving us your details here, we're taking that as acknowledgment that you've read and agreed to our privacy policy.
Also by filling out this form, you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions.
Vic Fuentes - Fur Is Dead! March 19, 2008
Posted by Ashleigh | Permalink | Comments ( 10 ) | TrackBack
TAGGED:
fur furisdead Skelanimals Vic Fuentes
Hey everyone! I have another "Fur Is Dead" supporter for you to meet: Vic Fuentes!
Vic is the singer and guitarist for the progressive post-rock quartet Pierce the Veil. These boys rock some heavy music that will blow your mind. Seriously! You know what blows my mind? That Vic refuses to wear real fur!
Check out our Q&A with Vic about the campaign:
What do you define as your personal style?
Bright shirts and anything that fits me tight. I've overcome my fear of shopping in the girls' section because their clothes fit better and I have no shame.
Do you have any fashion "do's" and "don'ts"?
Not really, I think people should wear what they dig.
Why do you choose not to wear real fur?
It's totally creepy to think that you're wearing someone else's skin...like Texas Chainsaw Massacre...not cool.
What is your favorite animal? Why?
Monkeys! I got to hold one when we were in Mexico and it was amazing. I wanted to take him on tour with us.
Do you have a favorite vegetarian dish? If so, what is it?
I love it when we get hummus at venues before the shows. Good stuff.
I really like Vic! He's in a band, he's clever, he loves animals . . . Anyways, be sure to hit this summer's Vans Warped Tour and check out this compassionate boy AND peta2! And stay tuned to the peta2 blog for more updates from all the wonderful people taking part in the "Fur Is Dead" campaign!
-Ashleigh
OMG! Don't forget to sign the 100,000 Strong Against Fur Pledge if you haven't yet!
Milk Gone Wild 2: At the Carwash! March 18, 2008
Posted by Ryan | Permalink | Comments ( 3 ) | TrackBackSummer has to be my favorite season, hands down. Sitting outside on the porch with a giant tub of Soy Delicious ice cream, pretending I can tan. Yes, it's the stuff dreams are made of.
That's why I was so excited to see that a group of peta2 fans decided to get in the summer spirit to create their own DIY sequel to last year's infamous "Milk Gone Wild" video!
Those astute blog readers may even recognize a guest appearence by a peta2 staffer as well. I don't want to blow the surprise, but let's just say his name starts with a "P" and rhymes with "Pulin".
If by the end of this video you can still drink cow's milk, you just might be a weirdo.
Vote for the "March Mad Scientists"! March 18, 2008
Posted by Ryan | Permalink | Comments ( 3 ) | TrackBackAs you probably already know, it's March Madness time college basketball teams out there! I'm sure you've all filled out your NCAA brackets and made your predictions. Well, now it's time to play another fun game: Vote for the Worst University Vivisector!
These people get paid lots of money, and abuse animals in horrific ways. As far as I'm concerned, they're all losers. It's going to be up to you to determine the final winner though, so choose wisely!
Without further adieu, here are the "Sick 16" to start us off!
University of Pittsburgh vs. Michigan State University:
Patrick Kochanek, Pittsburgh.
Down in Pittsburgh's secretive laboratories, a team of experimenters lead by Dr. Patrick "Frankenstein" Kochanek are working deep into the night to reanimate the corpses of dogs, pigs, and mice. Seriously, I couldn't make this crap up if I wanted to: Under Kochanek's cold-hearted guidance, a group of "scientists" drain the blood from animals for up to three hours, pump an ice-cold salt solution into their veins until they're scientifically dead, then shock them back alive. The animals usually suffer massive physical and psychological trauma in the process, but that's a small price to pay for a zombie army, right? Right?? |
Arthur Weber, Michigan State.
Michigan State University's Arthur Weber ain't afraid of no zombies. This guy has a signature move that would frighten even the undead. This cat torturer's got his technique down pat: First he injures their optic nerve, then he dissects the overlying tissues, inserts a surgical hook, and places a clamp on the nerve. Next on the agenda: Wait for seven days until it's time to remove the cats' eyes while they're still alive! Then it's killing time, and you just know he likes that part the best—Weber's been at this game for more than 25 years. That's a whole lot of cats! |
Only one of these contenders can advance to the next round, so choose carefully! Cast your vote for the vilest vivisector using the form below, and feel free to leave a comment explaining your selection.
The cheat sheet will help you decide which other universities deserve to advance, and we'll be back next week with the Evil Eight! Stay tuned!!!
Use the dropdown menus to pick a winner!
The Meatout Is Coming! March 17, 2008
Posted by Pulin Modi | Permalink | Comments ( 1 ) | TrackBack
TAGGED:
Vegan vegetarian animal rights Street Team Meatout presentation
March 20 is the Meatout, where people all around the world will encourage their friends and family to give up eating dead animals' flesh (a.k.a. meat). Whether it's for a day (good), a month (better), or forever (best), the important thing is that people start taking steps towards going vegetarian. You can take the pledge here.
Remember, there are a ton of really great reasons to go vegetarian or vegan. If you need some inspiration, consider the great work that Jamie has been up to at his school. When given the chance to write a persuasive essay and do a presentation for his honors English course, Jamie immediately knew he wanted to discuss vegetarianism. His presentation included a PowerPoint presentation, handouts (we're always happy to send you stuff for free), and a bunch of photos showing his classmates exactly how animals are exploited for their flesh.
If you're looking to spread the word for the Meatout or any other time of the year, make sure you join the peta2 Street Team and especially check out the Take Charge section to get updates on all the latest campaigns!
Thanks!
P.S.- If you have cool photos or stories about your school presentations on animal rights, let us know!
Jayme Foxx - Fur Is Dead! March 17, 2008
Posted by Ashleigh | Permalink | Comments ( 0 ) | TrackBack
TAGGED:
fur furisdead Skelanimals Jayme Foxx
Hey everyone! Meet Jayme Foxx: another amazing Fur Is Deadsupporter!
Jayme is a recent Los Angeles transplant who was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. She is a model that has tried everything from pin-up to high fashion, and she is the face of Hause of Howe's men's clothing line.
What makes her even cooler is that she is a make-up artist, and she never wears real fur!
Check out our Q&A with Jayme about the campaign:
What do you define as your personal style?
Anything that makes me feel comfortable and grabs my attention.
Do you have any fashion "do's" and "don'ts"?
DON'T wear something just because everyone else is wearing it . . . that doesn't mean it looks good on you! DO wear what you like.
Why do you choose not to wear real fur?
I find it cruel and pointless.
What is your favorite animal? Why?
Leopards. They are beautiful and unique.
Do you have a favorite vegetarian dish? If so, what is it?
I enjoy all foods.
I love her! Keep checking out the peta2 blog for more about the compassionate beauties taking part in the "Fur Is Dead" campaign!
-Ashleigh
And seriously, don't forget to sign the 100,000 Strong Against Fur Pledge if you haven't already!
Win Our New Skelanimals 'Fur Is Dead' Tee! March 17, 2008
Posted by Ashleigh | Permalink | Comments ( 3117 ) | TrackBack
TAGGED:
fur Audrey Kitching Contest win furisdead Matthew Lush
I hope that all of you reading this have given real fur the boot. Fur is absolutely unnecessary. For one, "Fur is dead"! Secondly, it makes you look bad. And thirdly, the fur industry tortures helpless animals. No one should support an industry that keeps animals confined in unnatural conditions only to skin them alive or kill them by breaking their necks, bashing their heads in, or anally or vaginally electrocuting them.
If you haven't already, it's time for you to join us in saying N-O to fur. We want to have 100,000 strong against fur. Please sign the petition and help us reach our goal!
Now that you've signed our petition, it's time to tell your friends and family that fur is dead. One easy way to get the message across is by sporting our exclusive Skelanimals "Fur Is Dead" tee like Audrey Kitching and Matthew Lush!
Three lucky boys and girls can WIN one of these amazing new tees! To win, comment below with your T-shirt size AND where you will wear it.
The contest ends on April 7, 2008, and winners will be chosen and notified by April 14, 2008.
Just so you know ... by commenting here, you're acknowledging that you've read and agreed to our privacy policy.
Also by commenting, you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions.
Good luck!
-Ashleigh
Models Wearing Meat...Seriously March 14, 2008
Posted by Patricia | Permalink | Comments ( 38 ) | TrackBackThe set of America's Next Top Model became a meat market this week, literally. In the oh so cleverly titled "Where's the Beef?" episode, the models were taken to NYC's meat packing district where they posed with carcasses and dumpsters full of the dismembered body parts of tortured animals.
As if that wasn't gross enough, they actually dressed the models in pieces of raw, bloody meat. I'm talking like skirts and underpants and bras made from flesh. It was like a scene from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I kept waiting for Leatherface to jump out and chase them around. It was hideous.
Now, I know that several people involved in the show care about animals, so this is straight out of left field. I just don't get it. I have no idea what they were thinking, but here's what we are thinking...
PETA's official response is this:
No matter how beautifully it is presented, flesh from a tortured animal is flesh from a tortured animal. Meat represents bloody violence and suffering, so if that's the look they were going for—they achieved it. Instead of swathing models in meat, we wish they had followed in the footsteps of PETA pinups Pamela Anderson and Alyssa Milano who show off their "natural beauty" in outfits made of lettuce leaves for PETA's "Let Vegetarianism Grow on You" ad campaign.
My official response is this:
(Insert sound of puking here.)
The photos are way too disgusting to post but if you want to see them, click here and have your barf bag ready.
xox
Patricia
P.S. Any way you look at it, meat is disgusting. So please, don't wear it or eat it.
Audrey Kitching - Fur Is Dead! March 14, 2008
Posted by Ashleigh | Permalink | Comments ( 2 ) | TrackBack
TAGGED:
fur Audrey Kitching furisdead Skelanimals
Hey everyone! I want to introduce you to another one of our lovely and amazing Fur Is Dead supporters: Audrey Kitching!
Not only is Audrey a featured personality on Buzznet and a huge deal on MySpace, but she is changing the standards of beauty in the fashion industry with her bold look (and fur-free stance). This "it" girl is always up for a challenge, and one day plans to captain her own brand! She is beautiful, sincere, and another one of my favorite people involved in this campaign!
Check out our Q&A with Audrey:
What do you define as your personal style?
Club kid inspired with mix of Japanese fashion, '80s, and rock and roll
Do you have any fashion "do's" and "don'ts"?
Don't conform to what you read in magazines... do wear random things like mouse ears and birthday hats.
Why do you choose not to wear real fur?
Because why wear something that is killing an animal when there are great faux alternatives? It's tacky to wear real fur.
What is your favorite animal? Why?
Miniature dachshunds or flamingos. They remind me of myself.
Do you have a favorite vegetarian dish? If so, what is it?
Vegetarian Mexican food
Isn't she great?!? Keep checking out the peta2 blog for more about the amazing people taking part in the "Fur Is Dead" campaign!
-Ashleigh
P.S. - Sign the 100,000 Strong Against Fur Pledge if you haven't already!
Free Stuff Friday: Anti-Fur Pins March 14, 2008
Posted by Pulin Modi | Permalink | Comments ( 171 ) | TrackBackYou all know about the Fur Is Dead campaign by now. But what you might not know is that we're giving out free anti-fur buttons to people who sign our 100,000 Strong Against Fur petition at shows. Check our MySpace page for a list of all the places we'll be in the next few months and stop by to say hello!
Some examples would be:
I'd rather practice solving algebra problems than wear fur. -Rachel
I'd rather ride a unicycle than wear fur. -Ryan
I'd rather have a bird poop on my head than wear fur. -Marta
We'll pick the 10 best comments and send each person a free anti-fur pin! That's a lot of winners. So get creative and comment away!
Word.
P.S.- Since it's a contest, we assume you are cool with our privacy policy and terms and conditions. You have until March 24, 2008 to enter and we'll notify winners by the end of that week.
Deflocked! March 13, 2008
Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 2 ) | TrackBack
TAGGED:
DeFlocked Jeff Corriveau comic Circus panda
Here's a little Deflocked, by Jeff Corriveau, for your eyes to enjoy.
Click for a larger version
To check out past installments, click here.
♥ Marta
Easter Is No Time For Cruelty March 13, 2008
Posted by Pulin Modi | Permalink | Comments ( 32 ) | TrackBack
TAGGED:
Street Team eggs Easter CafePress
You know how people celebrate Easter by dying chickens' eggs all sorts of colors at home or school? Ok, first off that's just a little weird if you think about it. Are those supposed to be rabbit eggs anyway or what?
Second of all, it's cruel to the hens to be snatching and dying their eggs. Did you know that a large portion of each hen's beak is cut off with a burning-hot blade, and no painkillers are used? After enduring these mutilations, hens are shoved into tiny wire "battery" cages, which measure roughly 18 by 20 inches, with several other birds. Each egg laid requires more than a full day in these conditions, plus the hens are all eventually slaughtered for their flesh. Oh, and on top of that, there's no real use for males in the egg industry so millions of baby chicks are tossed into trash bags to suffocate or are thrown into grinders while still alive.
So yea. Totally not a cool thing to support ever, and especially not on Easter which is supposed to be a celebration of life. There's plenty else to eat or decorate.
That's why we want you to print out these flyers and hand them out at school ASAP. Easter is coming up and the more people who learn about the cruelty of the egg industry, the less animals will suffer. You can make a huge difference.
1) Print out these flyers.
2) Hand them out at school, church, home, or anywhere else you go.
3) Send a photo to StreetTeam@peta2.com
of you in action handing these flyers out. Or better yet, upload it here. Include a little note about where you handed them out, too. We love hearing from everyone on the Street Team.
4) The best reports will get featured on the blog and we'll even give one lucky person his or her choice of any shirt from our CafePress store!
Since this is technically a contest, we are supposed to make sure you're down with our privacy policy and terms and conditions. You have until March 24th to enter and we'll announce the winner that same day, too!
I Heart Brooke from "One Tree Hill" March 13, 2008
Posted by Patricia | Permalink | Comments ( 6 ) | TrackBack
TAGGED:
fur celebs One Tree Hill Sophia Bush Trollsens
Creative Commons
Who saw "One Tree Hill" the other night? Spoiler alert: If you TiVoed it to watch later, don't read any further because you need to see the glorious ending for yourself.
For the rest of you, were you just as happy as I was that Brooke (a.k.a. Sophia Bush) fired that horrible, evil, controlling mother of hers??? Now I know there are a lot of other reasons she fired Victoria, but I'm sure the fact that she tried to force her to use fur in her clothing line was a major one, I just know it.
You caught that episode, right? When Brooke's on the phone with Victoria and says, "There is no situation in which I am going to kill furry woodland creatures to make coats out of them, K? Thanks." Have I mentioned that I love Brooke? The Trollsens should take a que from her.
And then, they bring it up again later in the show when that adorable little Jamie asks her if she's going to kill furry woodland creatures! Oh, and by the way, that little guy is about the cutest thing ever!
Sophia Bush is always rescuing dogs in her real life so I can't help but wonder if maybe her soft spot for animals had something to do with that part of her storyline...hmmm. Next week is the 100th episode, so y'all be sure to tune in! I'll be glued to the TV.
xox
Patricia
P.S. And WTF, Lucas?! You should marry Peyton, not Lindsey. Who agrees with me? Post your comments below but not before you pledge to be fur-free.
Chowed Down on a Bunny Lately? March 12, 2008
Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 4 ) | TrackBack
TAGGED:
food bunnies chocolate Easter Make Mine Chocolate
I haven't snapped, I swear. I'm simply asking because Street Teamer Tiffany passed a sweet Web site along to me, and I wanted to share it with ya.
Easter is rapidly approaching, and people seem to think that since bunnies are the ultimate Easter symbol, they should run out and get every bunny in existence to give as gifts for the holiday. There are a few problems with this situation:
1.) There's a high demand for bunnies around Easter, so people breed more of them.
2.) People get bunnies without thinking about the huge commitment they are making by bringing an animal into their lives. Sadly, a lot of these bunnies get dumped at shelters a month later after the "novelty" wears off.
3.) Bunnies, just like cats and dogs, are part of the animal overpopulation crisis.
So what is the solution? Check out the Make Mine Chocolate campaign. It's all about making sure people know how big of a responsibility a rabbit is before bringing a bunny home. And that the perfect bunny to give someone for Easter is a chocolate one. No commitment and absolutely delicious!
Looking for a little vegan chocolate bunny goodness in your life? There's still a couple of days left in our contest, so "hop to it" if you want to get your hands on some chocolate for free. Or you can always buy your own chocolate bunnies from the PETA Catalog or VeganEssentials.com.
Mmm, will someone please get some chocolate in my stomach, ASAP? I will heart you forever. Thanks.
♥ Marta
Derek Sanders of Mayday Parade - Fur Is Dead! March 12, 2008
Posted by Ashleigh | Permalink | Comments ( 7 ) | TrackBack
TAGGED:
fur furisdead Derek Sanders Mayday Parade
Hello again my friends! I have another Fur Is Dead supporter that I am very excited for you to meet: Derek Sanders!
You may recognize him as the fur-free singer of the awesome Tallahassee band Mayday Parade. If you haven't heard their most recent record, "A Lesson in Romantics" then you should check it out! It was produced by Zack Odom and Kenneth Mount (Cartel, All Time Low) and the tracks were mixed by Mark Needham (My Chemical Romance, The Academy Is). So really, how can it not be amazing? Be sure to catch peta2 AND Mayday Parade at this summer's Vans Warped Tour!
Check out our Q&A with Derek about the campaign:
What do you define as your personal style?
Casual. I'm a jeans and t-shirt kinda guy.
Do you have any fashion "do's" and "don'ts"?
I have a terrible sense of fashion. Aside from your basic "no blacks with browns" I'm as dumb as they come.
Why do you choose not to wear real fur?
I don't see the point, plus it's just cruel.
What is your favorite animal? Why?
Dogs, they're so loyal and friendly!
Do you have a favorite vegetarian dish? If so, what is it?
Does macaroni & cheese count? Maybe I should just say salad.
Mmmmmmm, Isha makes a mean vegan mac and cheese . . .
Keep checking the peta2 blog for more about the awesome people taking part in the "Fur Is Dead" campaign!
-Ashleigh
Oh, and please sign the 100,000 Strong Against Fur Pledge if you haven't already!
Does Your Face Melt? March 12, 2008
Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 2 ) | TrackBack
TAGGED:
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It's the second week of Taste Of Chaos and I don't think any of us have ever put up the devil horns as much as we have on this tour (...mostly not serious).
Loads of folks continue to pledge to be part of 100,000 Strong Against Fur every night, and share their thoughts of animals being skinned alive for their fur (this is where you make the puke/gag sound). Pretty gross.
Something new we're starting on this tour that we forgot to mention in the last blog is (Soy) Ice Cream Mondays. Probably not the best way to celebrate a Monday when you're already freezing, but when your face gets melted all night there isn't too much else that we can do. The best part is we can find this stuff EVERYWHERE. Zing?
That wraps up the last week and since you're done reading, go enter to win some free tickets to Taste of Chaos.
Hearts and farts,
The peta2 Road Warriors and Shan (the newbie you probably don't recognize in the pictures).
peta2 Rocks Chicago, and Heads for Canada! March 11, 2008
Posted by Ryan | Permalink | Comments ( 13 ) | TrackBackThanks to everybody who attended peta2's Take Action Conference in Chicago this past weekend! We had over 100 students attend the event, for a day full of discussions and talks about "how to answer tough questions," "helping animals online," and much, much more!
Here are a few of the highlights:
Assistant Director of Youth Campaigns, Dan Shannon, during the opening of the conference
A student sharing his story of becoming a vegetarian during the "Living the Life" segment
Everyone wave to the blog-readers!
At the post-conference KFC protest!
FINALLY, in response to demand from Street Teamers way up north, the next peta2 Take Action Conference will be in TORONTO! All of the details are available here, so make sure to reserve your spot NOW!
Ready, set, go!
- Ryan!
Clint Catalyst - Fur Is Dead! March 10, 2008
Posted by Ashleigh | Permalink | Comments ( 1 ) | TrackBack
TAGGED:
fur furisdead Skelanimals Clint Catalyst
Hello again! I have another "Fur Is Dead" supporter and model for you to meet: Clint Catalyst!
A professional since 1995, this isn't the first time this "accidental model" has used his talents to take a stand against fur! For artist Liz McGrath's couture attire, CREEP, Clint posed for cameras in a blood-soaked "slaughtered chupacabra" to make an anti-fur statement. A television producer and screenwriter by day, he is also an aspiring actor, award-winning and best-selling author, L.A. Weekly's "most photographed model of the underground", one of Frontiers newsmagazine's 2007 LGBT icons of Southern California, AND a friend to animals.
Clint is one of my favorite people involved in the campaign, check out his answers to the Q&A and see why:
What do you define as your personal style?
If Mark Ryden were to interpret an illusory twin brother for Isabella Blow...only younger. Dark themes, bright colors. Hats, pomp, humor...and circumstance. A motto of mine when getting dressed-up? "Nothing exceeds like excess."
Do you have any fashion "do's" and "don'ts"?
Do take risks...but don't leave the house until you're fully backin' whatever it is. If you're insecure or uncomfortable, it'll show-and nothing sparks a potential disastrophe like the citrus-tinged scent of fear.
Why do you choose not to wear real fur?
Back in ancient history (i.e., my elementary school days), I had a pet rabbit named Thumper. It may have been lacking an inventive name, but I loved that little thing with a boy-crush longing. During that same semester, the daughter of a doctor was very eager to show off her REAL rabbit coat—going so far as to have classmates "pet" it. I was crushed. I couldn't see that coat and not think about Thumper; when I was home, I couldn't see Thumper and not think about that girl's coat. That was when I began to view humans wearing fur as something grotesque.
What is your favorite animal? Why?
The Pomeranian. I have a 9 year old little fluff ball named "Trouble" that is so empathetic; it's remarkable. Through some of the toughest times in my life, he's been there to comfort me: a constant companion. And through some of the happiest? He's added even more laughter. When I look deep into the eyes of that little creature, all I ever see is love.
Do you have a favorite vegetarian dish? If so, what is it?
Veggie pad Thai. I'm on a constant quest to find 'that perfect one...' So far, there's a vegan restaurant called 'Truly' on Hollywood Blvd that's come closest.
Clint is so awesome! Stay tuned to the peta2 blog for more updates from all the compassionate people taking part in the "Fur Is Dead" campaign!
-Ashleigh
Hey! Don't forget to sign the 100,000 Strong Against Fur Pledge if you haven't yet!
Davey Suicide - Fur Is Dead! March 7, 2008
Posted by Ashleigh | Permalink | Comments ( 5 ) | TrackBack
TAGGED:
fur furisdead Skelanimals Davey Suicide
Hey everyone! I want to introduce you to another one of our amazing Fur Is Dead supporters: Davey Suicide!
Davey is new to Los Angeles and loving it! He made the move to begin working on his new record with his band, "The Murder Ride" (which, by the way is against murdering animals for their fur). Davey started designing his own stage clothes while on tour and once he settled down in the City of Angels he launched his fur-free clothing line Killers Never Die. He's a musician, an entrepreneur, is involved with our Fur Is Dead campaign AND he is really cute! Who else is loving the tattoos?
Check out our Q&A with Davey about the campaign:
What do you define as your personal style? I've always kind of been a mutt in this respect. I've fallen into a happy medium between rock genres, and appreciate bits and pieces of the Rock N Roll, Metal, Alternative, and Indy/Emo movements. I never set out to be a specific style and I've just embraced what I like.
Do you have any fashion "do's" and "don'ts"?
I've always felt that no matter what, if you feel confident leaving the house, that's the most important thing. You want to wear something that's going to make you feel like you...whatever that may be.
Why do you choose not to wear real fur?I've seen too many videos on the misuse and cruelty of animals that goes on behind the scenes that finding an alternative is a preferred choice.
What is your favorite animal? Why? Dogs. They are loyal, they never judge you, and they make great companions. Plus they don't talk back.
Do you have a favorite vegetarian dish? If so, what is it? Trader Joe's just put out this Indian vegetarian curry that is killer.
I need to try that curry . . . keep checking out the peta2 blog for more about the gorgeous people taking part in the "Fur Is Dead" campaign!
-Ashleigh
Oh, and don't forget to sign the 100,000 Strong Against Fur Pledge if you haven't already!
Tobey Maguire Thinks Leather Stinks March 7, 2008
Posted by Patricia | Permalink | Comments ( 2 ) | TrackBack |
Apparently, upon entering his home, his guests are asked to check their leather belts, shoes, and bags at the door. Makes perfect sense to me, I mean it's his house and if he isn't eating or wearing animals, why should visitors be able to? And leather stinks. Who wants that horrible stench of death filling up their house? Not me.
If only every leading man was as kind as Tobey Maguire...I'm bummed that there isn't another Spiderman sequel to look forward to this summer. I loved watching him swing from webs and battle crime—and his beautiful co-star James Franco—but I think The Cider House Rules is still my fave Tobey flick. Tobey Maguire + the always gorgeous Charlize Theron = good.
xox
Patricia
Free Stuff Friday: Chocolate Bunnies! March 7, 2008
Posted by Ashleigh | Permalink | Comments ( 222 ) | TrackBackEaster is just around the corner. Unfortunately, this holiday can be a nightmare for an animal rights activist. Everywhere you turn you see chicken eggs, non-vegan candy, and baby chicks and bunnies for sale! What is a cruelty-free lad or lass to do?
One thing you can do is send our Easter E-card to all your friends!
Another more hunger-satisfying option is to get your hands on one of our "Leaping Bunny" chocolate assortments made especially for PETA by Harbor Candy Shop.
Vegan and cruelty-free chocolate bunnies? What could be better! Maybe getting one for free?!? To win, comment below with why vegan chocolate is the best thing this world has ever seen!
Hop to it! (Get it? Hop, like a bunny?) This contest ends March 14, 2008 and the winner will be chosen and notified by March 20, 2008!
Just so you know...by commenting here, we're taking that as acknowledgment that you've read and agreed to our privacy policy.
Also by commenting, you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions.
Good luck!
-Ashleigh
Tell Lowe's: Glue Traps Are Horrifying March 7, 2008
Posted by Pulin Modi | Permalink | Comments ( 8 ) | TrackBack
TAGGED:
rats Lowe's glue traps mice
You know that company Lowe's? Well, I think it's shameful that they sell glue traps. You don't have to be a big time animal rights activist to know that it's cruel to kill animals with glue traps.
Glue traps are among the most cruel pest-control devices on the market today. Rats, mice, birds, and many other animals get stuck to them and suffer for days before they finally die of starvation, dehydration, self-mutilation, and shock. Patches of skin, fur, or feathers are torn from their bodies as they frantically struggle to escape the glue that starts coating their bodies.
Really, can you imagine how flat out horrifying it is for an animal caught in one of these traps?
But so far, not this, nor the fact that other companies—including CVS, Rite Aid, Albertsons, and Safeway—have banned glue traps has persuaded Lowe's to do the right thing and get rid of them once and for all.
Please take a second to fill out this form, which sends an automated letter to the CEO of Lowe's urging him to stop selling glue traps. Thanks for speaking up for animals in need of your help.
Thanks!
Girls (NO FUR) Aloud March 6, 2008
Posted by Patricia | Permalink | Comments ( 6 ) | TrackBackToday's blog features guest blogger, peta2 UK's Violet....
The Girls Aloud singer, the gorgeous Sarah Harding, has made her thoughts on fur very plain indeed! "F*** Fur," she exclaimed (we wholeheartedly agree, Sarah!) when she spotted the ugly offending article in London store, "Arrogant Cat" yesterday. "I don't want to be seen wearing that. It's disgusting to wear fur and shouldn't be allowed to be sold in stores," she went on.
Guardian Blog/Creative Commons
Sarah obviously has her head screwed on and is aware unlike some airhead celebrities, that there is no kind way to rip the skin of an animal's back. Fur farming is banned in the UK because of the inherent cruelty involved with the farming and killing of animals for their fur. Every year the fur industry traps, drowns, clubs, gasses, and electrocutes millions of animals, all in the name of greed and vanity. Thank goodness they have people like Sarah looking out for them!
Arrogant Cat needs to take a leaf from Topshop's book and introduce a permanent "no fur" policy.
We love you, Sarah! Here's a big thanks from one arrogant cat who still has his fur!
Thanks, Sarah!!
*Violet
x
ANTM's Nigel Barker Fights to End Seal Slaughter March 5, 2008
Posted by Patricia | Permalink | Comments ( 3 ) | TrackBack |
Of course as we all know the pleasure is short lived because in less than a month those same baby seals will most likely be bludgeoned to death in Canada's barbaric annual seal hunt.
So Barker decided to do what he does best and photograph the seals to show the world the amazing faces of the gentle, trusting animals who will soon become fashion's latest victims.
"I hope to raise awareness in the youth of today with the graphic images of both the joy and desperation from the largest mammalian birthing site and consequent killing fields on Earth. This sort of behavior cannot and will not be tolerated by the youth of today and I intend to do something about it," he said.
How marvelous that someone who's actually involved in the fashion industry is speaking up for the baby seals instead of cashing in on their horrible deaths. Of course, Barker's not the only celeb calling for an immediate end to the seal hunt and I'm sure he won't be the last...unless it's actually stopped once and for all that is, and that's where you come in.
Barker is calling for the youth of today to do something about the seal hunt and since youth = you please sign our petition asking the Canadian government to end the seal hunt forever.
xox
Patricia
Puppy Thrown From Cliff in Iraq March 5, 2008
Posted by Pulin Modi | Permalink | Comments ( 36 ) | TrackBackWe've been flooded with people writing in and commenting about a shocking video that has recently surfaced which shows a smiling marine throwing what appears to be a live puppy off a cliff while his friend laughs. The video is horrifying, and there's something particularly disgusting about seeing it done by members of the military. We are currently analyzing the video footage to determine its legitimacy (it looks real, but there are some inconsistencies that need to be explored), as well as pushing military authorities at Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH) to follow through on their own thorough investigation of this atrocious act.
Today, PETA's Emergency Response Division sent a letter to the Commanding Officer at MCBH urging strong action on this case. Please click here to add your name in support of investigating and punishing those involved to the fullest extent of the law. Spread the word and let's really send the message loud and clear that we will not tolerate cruelty to animals.
Christine Dolce (AKA ForBiddeN) - Fur Is Dead! March 5, 2008
Posted by Lara Sanders | Permalink | Comments ( 6 ) | TrackBack
TAGGED:
fur furisdead Skelanimals Christine Dolce Forbidden
Hi again guys! The next person involved in our "Fur Is Dead" campaign that I will be profiling might already be a familiar face to you. In fact, you might even be friends with her on MySpace! Just look down to see who this model, entrepreneur, entertainment personality, and animal lover is!
It's Christine Dolce (AKA ForBiddeN)! We are so happy to have the "Queen of MySpace" involved with our "Fur Is Dead" campaign! Christine is absolutely gorgeous and has a heart for animals. How can you beat that?
Take a look at our Q&A with Christine below to see why she wanted to help out our furry friends by taking part in this campaign:
What do you define as your personal style?
Elegant and edgy with a twist.
Do you have any fashion "do's" and "don'ts"?
Don't wear animal fur and always dress with your own unique flair.
Why do you choose not to wear real fur?
Because I am against animal-cruelty and killing animals for one's own personal fashion taste.
What is your favorite animal? Why?
My puppy Sebastian. He is half Chihuahua, half Boston terrier with one blue eye and one brown eye. Coming home to him every day puts a smile on my face.
Do you have a favorite vegetarian dish? If so, what is it?
I love tofu.
Thanks Christine! Keep coming back to the peta2 blog for more updates from all the lovely people taking part in the "Fur Is Dead" campaign! Who will it be tomorrow? You will just have to wait to find out!
xoxo-Lara
P.S. Looking for the adorable tee Christine is wearing? Look no further than here!
Taste Of Chaos Knows That Fur Is Dead! March 4, 2008
Posted by Marta | Permalink | Comments ( 0 ) | TrackBack
TAGGED:
fur Taste of Chaos concerts furisdead
Taste Of Chaos has now been going on for a few days and it's been pretty busy. A lot of folks have been rushing to be 1 of the 100,000 strong against fur!
Our first stop was Denver, and whenever you're in Denver it is important to make a stop at Watercourse Foods. The pancakes really got us ready to rock the show, and I'm sure you can see that on John's face.
Shortly after our wonderful meal, we headed to the venue (which was only about a block away) and met over 1,000 folks that were ready to pledge to be fur-free!
Kansas City was fun and Milwaukee ruled! In Milwaukee, we were greeted with some FAT breakfast burritos thanks to Comet Café.
We're continuing to Minneapolis and off to the Midwest this week and we will be in a town near you soon! Check out the new site to see just why fur is dead!
- peta2 Road Warriors
Matthew Lush - Fur Is Dead! March 3, 2008
Posted by Lara Sanders | Permalink | Comments ( 11 ) | TrackBack
Hey guys! By now you must've seen our amazing new "Fur Is Dead" site. If not, check it out NOW! One of my favorite things about the site is seeing all of the wonderful people who have taken part in the campaign. One such person is the absolutely adorable and former Cutest Vegetarian Alive Winner Matthew Lush!
Using the screen name "GayGod", 19 year old Matthew Lush uses technology as his means for promoting causes near to his heart (animal rights and a vegan lifestyle). In the process, his live video streams have vaulted him to the #1 most viewed user on the website Stickam.com, and among the all-time most viewed/"befriended" users on Buzznet and MySpace.
Here's a little Q&A we did with Matthew to find our why he wanted to take part in the "Fur Is Dead" campaign:
What do you define as your personal style?
My personal style is cruelty-free and 100% vegan. I'm careful before I add an article of clothing to my body.
Do you have any fashion "do's" and "don'ts"?
Don't wear fur! If you knew the cruelty that went into making a fur coat, you'd agree it's disgusting!
Why do you choose not to wear real fur?
Fur is tacky and uncalled for. Wear your own skin!!!
What is your favorite animal? Why?
Koala. They're just so cute! I want a baby one.
Do you have a favorite vegetarian dish? If so, what is it?
Tofurky roast with mashed potatoes.
Thanks Matthew! Stay tuned to the peta2 blog for more updates from all the lovely people taking part in the "Fur Is Dead" campaign!
xoxo-Lara
P.S. Please sign the 100,000 Strong Against Fur Pledge if you haven't already!
P.P.S. You can get the tee Matthew is wearing here!
peta2 is Charging into the Midwest This Weekend! March 3, 2008
Posted by Ryan | Permalink | Comments ( 1 ) | TrackBack
TAGGED:
animals Chicago conference depaul
Oh Chicago, it's been a long time. Too long!
That's right, the peta2 crew is headed from Norfolk to "The Windy City" for another exciting peta2 Take Action Conference! If you live within driving distance of Chicago (I'm lookin' at you, Missouri!), you'll definitely want to be there! If you haven't reserved your spot yet, you can still do so HERE.
Dan - "Animal Rights 101"
Ryan and Pulin - "Student Activism!"
Marta - "Helping Animals Online!"
Caleb - "How to Answer the Tough Questions"
Add in open discussion panels, free vegan lunch, a HUGE KFC protest, TONS of free stickers and other items to bring home, and you have the ingredients for an AMAZING event!
See you soon!
- Ryan!
P.S. - Already reserved your spot? Make sure to get on the message boards to talk with other people who will be there too!
Rise of Caligula Interview March 3, 2008
Posted by Pulin Modi | Permalink | Comments ( 0 ) | TrackBack
When George, the vocalist for a metal band called Rise of Caligula, dropped us a line to work together, I checked out his band's MySpace page. And let me tell you, I was into the sound they have. It's heavy, catchy, and with a vegan vocalist, why would you not at least check it out? It's so metal. It's so good! And looking at George's photo below, I bet you have no idea what you're in for with his vocal style! Here's a quick interview he sat down to do with us, so give it a read. And if you're into metal or hardcore, check out his band!
What's your name and what do you do in the band?
My name is George and I handle all the vocal and lyric responsibilities in the band.
Have you guys toured much?
Yes, we love touring! We've done a few tours over the last couple of years, including ones with Fate, Molotov Solution, Myotonia, and Katsumoto. We're always looking to hit the road though, and will soon. That's a promise!
How would you describe your sound and influences?
We draw numerous influences from a huge variety of bands. I think lately we've really had our ears turned to classic forms of grind, black metal, and post-rock though. I would describe our sound as very grind and hardcore influenced metal.
What would be your ideal show lineup to be on?
Wow... that one is ever-changing. There are a million bands I would love to share the stage with. I think right now though, if I could have the perfect lineup, we'd be playing with Converge, Pig Destroyer, Phobia, Mono, Sigur Ros, Darkest Hour, and Radiohead. Best show of all time! We'd open of course.
How long have you been vegan and into animal rights and how did you get interested?
I first began to have an interest in animal rights during a stint of homelessness that occured in my life. Initially, it was anarcho teachings that really exposed me to all sorts of alternative lifestyles. After getting into that, the largest influence into a vegan life was a girlfriend I had at the time who had been vegan for years. I can really attribute all of my early learning to her. To be honest, without her, I don't think I'd be where I'm at today. It was a great experience in my life.
Do you have any favorite foods?
Anything in a tortilla, pretty much. I'm awfully plain, it's the sad truth.
What do the other band members have to say about your veganism?
Ha, they didn't know what to think of it at first. I don't even think they thought I was being serious or could continue that life, but eventually it grew on them. They've all been vegetarian now for months, so I think my impact was well made!
Where can people learn more about your band and check out some music?
Go straight to MySpace.com/RiseofCaligula. You can get all our updates and available music there. So check it!
Any other questions you wished I would have asked?
I think you guys pretty much summed it up. It was great! I'd like to give a photo credit for my personal photo to MySpace.com/mboydphoto. She's an amazing photographer, check her out!! And a huge thanks to peta2, you guys are beyond cool. Everyone take it easy!
Thanks to George. If you're in a band and looking to spread the word about animal rights, add peta2's MySpace into your top friends, post some banners on your page, and be in touch if you want some literature, stickers, and petitions to get out during your shows. Of course, anyone on the Street Team should do the same, too! Cool deal?
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