The Modern Animal-People Rights Movement, Part 1 of 2

The history of the animal-people rights movement is long and complex, with roots that can be traced back to ancient civilizations. Many followers of Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism practiced the precepts of these religions and stopped killing animal-people and eating their flesh. Our Beloved Supreme Master Ching Hai (vegan) with immense wisdom, has guided us to walk on the path of love. “Animal-people have a position in the world, in the universe, in the eyes of God. […] Because they have souls like we do, and they have feelings of emotion, of intelligence. They know God more than we do. Mark my words – the animal-people are more connected with God than many of us are. Except the spiritual practitioners of different schools.”

In 1822, the British Parliament passed the “Act to Prevent the Cruel and Improper Treatment of Cattle,” the first significant legislation in England to protect animal-citizens from cruelty. Animal-people Welfare Organizations then arose that focused on improving the lives of animal-citizens in various ways. According to American author and activist, Norman Phelps (vegetarian), the Modern animal-people rights movement began in 1965. In the 1980s and 1990s, a wide range of academics and professionals joined the movement, including lawyers, doctors, psychologists, veterinarians, and former vivisectionists. The movement gained momentum with high-profile campaigns against fur, vivisection, and animal-people raising. Courses in animal law were also introduced at universities. Examples of animal-people liberation organizations include Direct Action Everywhere, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the Nonhuman Animal Rights Project, and others. As the movement enters the 21st century, almost all animal-people rights activists are vegan, promote veganism, and encourage consumers to buy cruelty-free products. Although the ethical underpinnings of veganism are entirely consistent with the animal-people rights perspective, it was not until the 2000s, when the vegan diet became more common, that veganism came to stand for a comprehensive commitment to animal-persons justice.