July 16, 2009 - July 20, 2009

Win Animal Rights at AR2009 National Animal Rights Conference

Once again Win Animal Rights exhibited and presented at AR2009, which was held this year in Los Angeles, California.

WAR Exhibit

This year the WAR table was complimented by an adjoining table featuring the newly formed SHAC NA, Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty North America. SHAC NA was officially launched at AR2009.

WAR Contributes to Panels

WAR’s founder, Camille Hankins, spoke on a number of AR2009 panels including Applying Direct Action”, “Running Campaigns”, “Engaging Business”, “Prisoner Support”, Hankins also presented the conference campaign report on the global SHAC campaign to stop the cruelty at Huntingdon Life Sciences.

Paths to Liberation Plenary

Hankins addressed the full conference at the Friday evening plenary session on a panel entitled “Paths to Liberation”. She took the opportunity to announce that a promise made at last year’s conference to make sure that SHAC was represented at AR2009 led to the formation of SHAC North America.

Hankins spoke in defense of direct action and the animal liberation underground, while at the same time indicating the need for continued outreach, education and legislative efforts. The audience clearly showed support of direct action tactics by their level of applause.

Time For Action 4 Premieres at AR2009

On Friday evening, WAR screened the newest SHAC Global campaign video, Time for Action 4 to a full room, capacity audience. The video was well received and was followed by a brief talk about the current state of the campaign against Huntingdon Life Sciences.

Also screened and well received was the new North American Animal Liberation Press Office promo video.

Awards Banquet

The highlights of this year’s conference awards was the presentation of the Young Activist of the Year Award, to one of WAR’s favorite young activists, Jack. The plaque was presented by WAR founder Camille Hankins.

The awards banquet ran behind schedule and activists from WAR were participating in a Direct Action Rap Session when they were awarded “Most Effective Animal Liberation Campaign for the SHAC Campaign” in absentia. WAR was honored to tie with Sea Shepherd, who won for their Operation Musashi, in defense of whales in the Antarctic and subject of the second season of Whale Wars.

Celebrity awards were presented to TV anchor and journalist, Jane Velez-Mitchell and actress, Elaine Hendrix. Both have contributed significantly to animal rights and animal liberation.

WAR activists participated in Monday’s Conference Protest at UCLA

This protest was sponsored and organized by SAEN (Stop Animal Exploitation Now) and was attended by approximately 100 conference attendees. The LA Times covered the protest and featured a large picture of the protest in their Tuesday edition.