Co-founder and president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Ingrid Newkirk came to campus Monday night to promote her new book and speak about the importance of a vegetarian and vegan lifestyle.
Students and community members gathered in room 150 of Columbia Hall to hear the long-time animal rights activist talk about her personal experience in becoming a vegan and her arguments for the social and health benefits of a meat-free diet.
“There is nothing civil about the way meat comes to the table,” Newkirk said. “So many can turn away and not wish to know the facts.”
Newkirk, a Briton who founded PETA in 1980 with American activist Alex Pacheco, is on a national tour promoting her newest book, “50 Awesome Ways Kids Can Help Animals.” She was brought to campus by the Eugene Veg Education Network (EVEN), a non-profit group that works to educate those interested in a vegetarian lifestyle.
Newkirk did not always work for animal rights. A self-proclaimed former “meat eater’s meat eater,” Newkirk worked for several years as a sheriff’s deputy in Maryland. She decided to stop eating meat after responding to an animal cruelty case. During that case, Newkirk said she saw the hypocrisy in prosecuting some for treating animals poorly and paying others to bring them to her plate.
“It does not matter how big, how cute or how attractive an animal is. It does not matter if they can reason or talk. It only matters if they can suffer,” Newkirk said. “We have the obligation to not cause that suffering to them. It is as simple as that.”
Newkirk’s new children’s book targets children in a hope to inspire a new generation of vegetarians and animal rights supporters.
“Kids are very enthusiastic,” Newkirk said. “There are lots of new veggie kids, and they really lead the way for the whole family.”
Newkirk’s book is a collection of drawings, stories, poems and jokes about animals, which were sent to her by young fans.
“Kids really relate to animals. They aren’t encumbered by ‘Will this cost too much?’ or ‘What will my friends think?’” she said.
Robert Jacobucci, a member of EVEN, has been a vegetarian since 1991. He also thinks reaching out to the younger generation is crucial.
“It is just so great to see the kids growing up with this kind of information,” he said.
Newkirk is also interested in inspiring change right here on campus.
Students for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (SETA) have been working as part of a national campaign to get cage-free eggs in the residence halls at the University. Cage-free eggs are laid by chickens that are raised outside of cramped “battery-cages”, which some argue are inhumane.
Carrie Freeman, a doctoral student and SETA member, asked Newkirk how students could help make this change happen.
Newkirk’s advice?
“Show them how glorious things could be without eggs.”
There is currently a cage-free option at the Fire ‘N Spice Grill in the Hamilton Complex, though students must request it and it is more expensive.
The debate over cage-free eggs continues, however, because the change could cost students tens of thousands of extra dollars every year.