If You're Going to Go Vegan in San Francisco... (w/ LOTS of Pictures!) October 28, 2008

Posted by Ryan at October 28, 2008 3:41 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 1 ) | TrackBack

We here in peta2 just returned from our visit to "the left coast" for the peta2 National Conference in San Francisco. As with any peta2 event, good times were had by all, and we had the opportunity to meet tons of amazing Street Teamers, college activists, and other local peta2 supporters.

For those who were there (and those who wish they were), here's a little recap:

Marta, Pulin, and Dan at the peta2 merchandise table. They're all so gosh-darned huggable, aren't they?


It's Skinny Bitch coauthor, Rory Freedman!


Getting ready for the zombie-themed "I'd Rather Be Dead Than Eat KFC" protest!


We're coming for you, Colonel!


"Hey KFC, what do you say? How many chickens tortured today?"


Nobody dared enter the drive-thru while we were there!

In summary, yet another successful peta2 event! You can find all of our pictures from the event on our Flickr page, and make sure to join the conversation already underway on the peta2 message boards!

So where should we come next?!

- Ryan!

Zombies Take Over NYC! October 14, 2008

Posted by Ryan at October 14, 2008 9:52 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 11 ) | TrackBack

This past weekend was the peta2 National Conference in New York City, and boy did we rock the Big Apple!

Attendees enjoyed talks and discussion panels on a variety of topics, including "how to answer the tough questions" and "how to help animals online", plus a visit from our special guest, MTV icon John Norris!

For many people though, the highlight came at the end of the day, when we headed to midtown Manhattan for a "zombie" protest against KFC!





Of course, what kind of peta2 event would it be if we didn't end with a nice one-fingered salute to "The Colonel"? Getting the message yet, KFC?


Yep, all in all, it was a pretty amazing trip! The visit also inspired me to want to start a New York-specific campaign called "KFC? Fuhgetaboutit". :)

Don't forget though, we still have a conference coming to the West Coast in less than 2 weeks! Will those crazy Californians and their neighbors show up the East Coast kids? Only time will tell! To book your space, click here.

See you soon!

- Ryan!

peta2 National Conferences (Now with Celebrities!) October 2, 2008

Posted by Ryan at October 2, 2008 9:31 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 1 ) | TrackBack

That's right! The peta2 National Conferences are quickly approaching (NYC in 9 days!), and we've got some exciting announcements!

In addition to the amazing workshops, delicious vegan food, massive demonstrations, free stickers, DVDs, posters, and other items conference attendees get, in New York we will be joined by none other than everyone's favorite vegan TV personality, MTV's John Norris!

Don't worry though West Coasters, we didn't forget you! Attendees of our conference in San Francisco will have the pleasure of engaging in a Q&A with the vegan author of the no-nonsense best-seller Skinny Bitch, Rory Freedman!


If you haven't already booked your spot at one of these events, what are you waiting for? Click HERE (or on the image below), to register now!



See you soon!

- Ryan!

The peta2 National Conferences! Book Your Spot NOW! September 8, 2008

Posted by Ryan at September 8, 2008 10:29 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 8 ) | TrackBack

Ooooh boy, are you ready for this?!

That's right; this fall peta2 is taking over both coasts, by organizing full days of workshops and discussion panels about animal rights, followed by the largest anti-KFC and anti-fur protests you've ever seen!

Just imagine it: a fully catered vegan lunch, as many free materials (literature, stickers, DVDs, posters, etc.) as you can carry home, and an opportunity to hang out with tons of people who care about the same issues you do!

We want everybody to be there! People from California, Jersey, Florida, New York, Ohio... everywhere! It doesn't matter if you're a demo-organizing pro, or if you've never even tried a veggieburger—all are welcome!

Both events are on Saturdays, so you've got no excuse not to be there. Gather together some friends, and pack up the car. We'd love to meet you!

You can find all of the details HERE, so what are you waiting for?

- Ryan!

peta2 Rocked Canada, and Canada Rocked Us! April 7, 2008

Posted by Ryan at April 7, 2008 12:42 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 6 ) | TrackBack

WOW! As if there was ever any doubt that Canadians rock, this question was laid to rest this past weekend at the peta2 Take Action Conference!

Over 175 students attended the event, making it far and away the most successful one yet! Here are a few of the highlights, and you can also check out lots of other pictures on our Flickr page.

Here is peta2 head honcho, Dan Shannon, addressing the crowd during the "Animal Rights 101" segment!



Say hi to all of the blog readers!



Enjoying some of the AMAZING veggie burgers and vegan drumsticks that were donated for the conference!



At the KFC demonstration after the conference!

Finally, this blog would not be complete without one of my personal highlights. Here are Brendan and Ayden (brothers who attended the conference together), singing their anti-KFC songs, including a spin-off of the holiday classic, "Silent Night". :)



All in all, it was an incredible experience, so keep your eyes and ears open for when the Take Action Conference comes to your town!

- Ryan!

peta2 Rocks Chicago, and Heads for Canada! March 11, 2008

Posted by Ryan at March 11, 2008 11:53 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 13 ) | TrackBack

Thanks 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!

Pictures are still coming in from Street Teamers, so make sure to keep checking our Flickr page to see them all, and share your stories from the conference on our peta2 message boards!

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!

peta2 is Charging into the Midwest This Weekend! March 3, 2008

Posted by Ryan at March 3, 2008 10:03 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 1 ) | TrackBack

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.

Here's a little preview into some of the topics that will be discussed by peta2 staffers at the conference this weekend:

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!

peta2 Hearts Texas! February 12, 2008

Posted by Ryan at February 12, 2008 1:16 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 10 ) | TrackBack

Well, we're back! The peta2 crew flew in last night from Austin, Texas, following an amazing peta2 Take Action Conference over the weekend! Here are some pics from the event!

Pulin and Me Speaking During the "Student Activism" Discussion


Local Street Teamer, Ryan Thomas, Speaking About Why He Went Vegan



peta2's Dan Shannon Leading a KFC Protest with Some of the 75 Attendees!



Another Successful KFC Protest at the End of the Day!

But here's the best part...we're having another conference next month in CHICAGO!! That's right, all of you Midwestern kids had better be there! Check out all of the details and reserve your spot HERE!

- Ryan!

P.S. - For those of you who attended this past weekend (or those who hope to attend the next one), make sure to introduce yourself on our "Take Action Conference" message boards HERE.

We Want To Meet YOU This Weekend! February 6, 2008

Posted by Ryan at February 6, 2008 12:58 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 8 ) | TrackBack

This Sunday is the first peta2 Take Action Conference in the South! Our whole crew will be flying down to Texas for a day full of discussion panels about animal rights and "how to answer the tough questions", with a HUGE protest at KFC afterwards! If you've ever been in an argument with friends or family about vegetarianism, fur, or any other topic, we'll give you the answers you need to win that argument! :)

IF YOU ARE ATTENDING, we have a special offer for this conference!! If you have already registered, you can BRING UP TO TWO FRIENDS WITH YOU FOR FREE!! That's right, we want to encourage you to bring friends who have not bought tickets for the event as well, and at no cost!

All you have to do is email me to let me know who you will be bringing, and I'll book them the spaces (and lunch)!

IF YOU HAVEN'T RESERVED YOUR SPACE YET, there's still time! Click HERE or on the adorable picture of us to book your space now!



See you soon!!

- Ryan!

P.S. - If you live anywhere within driving distance of Austin, TX (I'm talking to you Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana!), you DEFINITELY won't want to miss this event. It will be a while before we return to the area, so make sure to get some friends or your parents to drive you to this conference if you can! Road trip!!

P.P.S - IF FOR SOME REASON you cannot register online (or if you're broke), just contact me so that we can find a way for you to go!