Campaign Updates & Commentary

by David Michelson Alt Title: A Case for Supporting the Yes On IP28 Campaign It is safe to say, that from the middle of January, 1877,...

Sometimes we get more clarity about what something is by understanding what it is not. So in the service of such clarity, below are some things our initiative doesn’t do—despite some people online claiming otherwise.

Over the past 30 or so days, our campaign has received far more press coverage than we have previously; as well as far more visits to our website. While some great quotes and recorded segments from our campaign have been included by journalists in their reporting (for which we are very grateful), not every response gets included in those stories. Since many of the questions are asked by multiple reporters, and by many among the public more broadly, I wanted to post our writte

Previously I discussed how IP28 creates a Humane Transition Fund to help provide funds to those who need support transitioning into a world that no longer relies on injuring, killing, and breeding animals—a world we would describe as more humane. Now, in part two, I’d like to share a bit about how IP28 attempts to create a restorative-justice alternative to incarceration for those convicted of violating crimes of animal cruelty. 

Earlier this week while reading the book Spirit Matters by Michael Lerner, I came across a passage about the trajectory of many social change movements. The author was writing about the importance of movements having a spiritual foundation in order to avoid this trajectory.

Current Affairs Magazine has recent released their latest issue, and not only is it entirely dedicated to Animals—it also includes a Q&A about our campaign!

It is certainly likely that individuals will have strong reactions to our campaign (and some of these possible reactions I will discuss below), but my feeling of reassurance comes not from trying to alter our campaign in an attempt to control or temper their reaction. Rather, it comes from putting more effort into how I respond to their response.

So as to remain authentic to our values and protect all sentient beings, IP28 does not include culturally-specific exemptions for any act of violence against an animal.

If IP28 were to pass, the State Treasury would be directed to establish a Humane Transition Fund.

I would argue that our movement would benefit now more than ever from the bold ask of our campaign.

by David Michelson “Thoughts do not have to be communicated in order to occur, but they cannot occur without being spoken—silently or...