Good News from the Heartland for animals: I live in Kansas-not the most progressive state in the country, especially when it comes to animal issues.
However, a recent art project entitled "The Story of Chickens: A Revolution," inspired a firestorm of compassion from meat eaters and vegans alike.
The artist proposed to display
live chickens in a movable cage around town and then kill them as a public event and host a dinner at which they would be eaten.
The outrage from around the country and locally was torrential.
It came in online postings; letters to the editor; letters to the sponsoring museum, hosting art gallery, and chef; and many newspapers reported on it as well, allowing for emotional online comments to the articles.
Karen Davis of United Poultry Concerns, Mary Clouse of Chicken Run Rescue and the Justice for Animals Art Guild,
Bruce Friedrich of Farm Sanctuary, and other compassionate leaders contributed greatly.
In addition to the outrage, the city code prohibits both displaying the chickens and killing them in the city limits. A museum board member and I met with the artist.
Her primary goal was to awaken people to the fact that they are eating individual animals with personalities and needs of their own-a goal very much like ours.
She displayed grace and flexibility as she has altered her project to include no live chickens.
She has agreed to allow us to speak about chicken's rights, display animal positive artwork, and include vegan options at the public meal.
To read one of the many articles, click here.
This is more evidence that people are waking up to the needs and rights of animals as well as to the disconnection most of us have experienced between our food and our natural love and compassion for animals. Please keep this ongoing project in your prayers that it may serve to further awaken the hearts of people and save the lives of chickens everywhere.
Thank you for loving, for caring, for being a powerful force of compassion in this world that needs you so much.