World Farm Animals Day -Vigils Held at US State Capitals
from IVU News Oct 2000

by Alex Hershaft of FARM. USA

October 2, 2000 -- On the occasion of the 18th annual observance of World Farm Animals Day, animal activists in all 50 states of the United States held vigils and memorial services at the national and state capitals. The event "memorialized the suffering of ten billion innocent, sentient animals raised for food and exposed to the devastating health and environmental impacts of animal agriculture;" explained Campaign Coordinator. Dave Pryor. The date of October 2 also honors the birthday of Mahatnia Gandhi, foremost champion of humane farming.

This year's observance focused on raising the awareness of candidates for public office and their constituents to the tragedy of farm animals. Thousands of questioinaires on treatment of farm animals were sent to candidates for national and local offices and the results were circulated widely.

A number of studies have demonstrated that animals experience many of the emotions that we do including joy, affection, sadness, sorrow and pain. Consequently, many people believe that, if we insist on eating animals, we owe them at least decent treatment during their brief lives.

The worldwide observance of World Farm Animals Day is coordinated by FARM a US national public interest organization in the nation's capital - www.farmusa.org