Brown Animal Rights Club - BARC

Feature Film, the Filmmaker and Food!

2010-11-25T10:29:00.000-08:00

Bold Native

Free movie screening and presentation by the filmmaker

Friday Dec 3

10pm in Solomon 001

Catered by Kabob and Curry

movie trailer

supported by Late Night

Animal Rights activist: foods can have consequences

2010-11-16T10:38:00.000-08:00

Gene Baur is a hit with Brown students and community members alike!

Click here to see the article in the Brown Daily Herald!

Farm Sanctuary President Coming to Brown!

2010-11-14T15:12:00.000-08:00

Calendar

Gene Baur at Brown!

2010-10-25T11:09:00.000-07:00

Join us on November 15th at 7pm in List Art 120 for Gene Baur, president of Farm Sanctuary, in his compelling lecture titled:

Farm Sanctuary: Changing Hearts and Minds about Animals and Food

2010-10-11T13:17:00.000-07:00

Check out our open mic fundraiser: Show the Animal in You

World Vegetarian Day is October 1st!

2010-09-28T13:06:00.000-07:00

Let's celebrate with guilt-free treats!

Come visit our table this Friday, October 1st from 10-2 on the main green (rain location: JWW) to get some free vegan treats and learn about this compassionate lifestyle!

First Meeting of the year!

2010-09-07T15:34:00.001-07:00

Come to our first meeting of the year: Wednesday September 8th at 7pm in Wilson 104!

Be a friend of the animals

Tofurkey Day

2009-11-16T19:03:00.000-08:00

Save the turkeys, the planet and your health, try a:

Gentle Thanksgiving

And for a delicious vegan Thanksgiving sample, visit in J Walter Wilson on Thursday, Nov. 19th from 11 to 2!

BDH article: Peter Singer

2009-11-04T19:21:00.000-08:00

Ethicist challenges man-animal 'speciesism'

Thank you to everyone who helped organize the event and to those who attended the lecture, making this a great success and an inspiring event!

Great thanks Professor Singer!

Peter Singer to lecture on Ethics and Animals

2009-10-24T22:12:00.000-07:00

You can't miss this lecture!

Peter Singer at Brown

Aftermath of the Liberation Project

2009-10-19T18:55:00.000-07:00

http://blog.peta2.com/2009/10/liberation_comes_to_brown_univ.html

Peter Singer at Brown

2009-10-13T19:07:00.000-07:00

Peter Singer is one of the most prominent and influential living philosophers, and the leading academic on the topic of animal ethics. He is the Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics in the University Center for Human Values at Princeton University.

We are preparing to bring Professor Singer to Brown for a major speaking event on Tuesday, November 3. If you are interested in helping support or plan the event, please contact adam_hoffman@brown.edu

The Conversation Continues

2009-10-01T21:15:00.000-07:00

The Animal Liberation Project exhibit has moved on from Brown, leaving lots of great discussion in its wake. Adding to the conversation is Robert Black's thoughtful letter in the Brown Daily Herald:

Letter: Animals are people, too
(titled "Animals just might be people, too" as submitted)

A big thanks to Adrianne and Courtney from peta2, and everyone else who helped with the exhibit or stopped by for a chat!

BDH article

2009-09-30T18:36:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the Brown Daily Herald for further coverage of the Animal Liberation Project! Here is the latest article:

Animal Rights Activists Take to the Main Green

BDH Editorial: Animal wrongs?

2009-09-29T14:17:00.000-07:00

The editorial board of the Brown Daily Herald has written an editorial about the Animal Liberation Project exhibit. Check it out:

http://www.browndailyherald.com/editorial-animal-wrongs-1.1930384

"...BARC and PETA members went to great pains to explain that their intent was raising questions about our use of animals rather than establishing moral equivalence. The polite and intellectual manner in which they addressed even hard questions demonstrated that the exhibit, rather than being an exercise in sloppy moralizing, was intended as a serious reflection on animals in modern society..."

Liberation: A project by peta2

2009-09-26T09:09:00.000-07:00

Monday Sept 28- Thursday Oct 1, 10am-4pm
Main Green: across from Wilson hall
Closing discussion Thursday Oct 1, 6:30pm Wilson 102

This exhibit looks back at history to show how we justified the abuse of humans in the past and continue to justify cruelty to animals today.

http://www.peta2.com/ALP/

First meeting of the year!

2009-09-08T14:16:00.000-07:00

where: Wilson 105
when: Wed Sept. 16th at 7pm
why: because we care about the animals, the environment and our health

We'd love to see you there and hear your ideas

Students for Animal Rights

2009-08-06T07:41:00.000-07:00

If you haven't already, check out Students for Animal Rights and their blog! StAR is a coalition of student animal rights groups (including BARC), and does a great job of encouraging communication and collaboration among passionate young people regarding a range of animal rights issues.

BARC may take a vacation over the summer, but there is always something going on with StAR!

A Delicate Balance

2009-04-26T22:35:00.000-07:00

On Friday, May 1, BARC is hosting a screening of the recent documentary film A Delicate Balance. The film talks about how our food choices affect our health and the environment, and the director will be here for a Q&A session after the film!

Friday, May 1 at 4pm
Wilson Hall, Room 101

Brown researchers help save animals from labs

2009-04-01T14:28:00.000-07:00

Kudos to Brown University researchers and their efforts to reduce the need for animals in the laboratory! Please follow the link below to read the full article from the Boston Globe:

Are the lab rat's days numbered?

"Bioengineers are striving to topple a scientific icon: the lowly lab mouse. And to replace bunnies, beagles, and other warm-blooded animals with insentient but biologically sophisticated substitutes.

At Brown University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and other research centers, new efforts to build complex living "microtissues" from cultured cells represent some of the most promising progress toward reducing the need for laboratory creatures..."

Save the Human!

2009-03-29T22:08:00.000-07:00

It's finally starting to feel like Spring in Providence, and Earth Day is right around the corner. In addition to all of the animals we can save by choosing to eat a meatless diet, don't forget that vegetarian or vegan eating is in the best interest of everyone on this planet - - and that means humans, too!

Check out this video for a refreshing perspective:

Meatout details

2009-03-05T13:13:00.000-08:00

We have determined a time and location for our upcoming Meatout potluck:

Thursday, March 19
5:30-7:30pm in South Wayland Lounge

There should be lots of great veg food, and we hope to see you there!

Upcoming Events: Earthlings and Meatout

2009-03-02T21:57:00.000-08:00

We'd like to announce dates for two great events coming up in March:

Earthlings film screening
Tuesday, March 17
8pm in Wilson 102

Earthlings is an award-winning documentary about mankind's dependence on animals for pets, food, clothing, entertainment and scientific research. Narrated by Joaquin Phoenix, it is one of the most powerful and informative films about animals. Please encourage friends to come see Earthlings!

Meatout Vegetarian Potluck
Thursday, March 19
(time/location TBA)

Meatout is a worldwide annual event celebrating vegetarian eating, and BARC will be representing Rhode Island with a vegetarian/vegan potluck for the second year in a row. We'd love for you to bring a dish to share, but we emphasize that everyone is more than welcome to join us regardless of whether you are able to bring anything.

New Semester

2009-02-02T15:43:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone!

BARC will be having our first meeting of the semester at 8pm on Wednesday in Wilson 303. Please note the time and room change from last semester.

We'll discuss plans for the semester (bring ideas!) and will introduce new leadership opportunities so that more people can get involved. Our meetings will be only every other week (roughly) this semester, so they will obviously be at least twice as productive and twice as exhilarating.

Also of importance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD5zjUbWpXY

An Eventful Week

2008-11-18T13:55:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, November 19
College Veg Pledge '08

A day to try vegetarianism! BARC is cooperating with Brown Dining Services for a special Veg Pledge dinner at the Ratty. Thank you to everyone participating.

Thursday, November 20
The Ethics of What We Eat: A Debate with PETA VP Bruce Friedrich
@ 4pm in Carmichael Auditorium

Bruce Friedrich is Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. He will begin with a short talk, and will then participate in a debate with Brown students.

Friday, November 21
BARC Movie Night: Chicken Run
@ 7pm in Smith-Buonanno 201

All are welcome to join us for the movie and plenty of scrumptious snacking. It's claymation on a Friday night.

A Debate with PETA VP Bruce Friedrich

2008-11-13T08:32:00.000-08:00

The Ethics of What We Eat:
A Debate with PETA VP Bruce Friedrich
Thursday, November 20 @ 4pm
Carmichael Auditorium (in Hunter Lab)

Bruce Friedrich is Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. He is one of the most influential animal rights activists in the world, frequently debating the industries that exploit animals.

Mr. Friedrich will begin with a short talk, and will then participate in a debate with Brown students. Bring a question!

The event is sponsored by the Brown Animal Rights Club and the Brown Debate Union.

Demonstration at KFC this Saturday

2008-11-06T16:04:00.000-08:00

KFC and their suppliers are among the most offending companies that abuse animals. Their chickens are raised and slaughtered in a manner that would be illegal for many other species, and even their own animal welfare advisors have complained. Earlier in the year, KFC Canada finally responded to pressure from animal advocacy groups, so this type of action can have a real effect!

Everyone should meet under Faunce Arch on Saturday at 1:00, and we will go to the RIPTA stop from there. BARC has the materials, so all you need to do is show up. Demonstrations are a fun way to get the message out about animal exploitation. Last year we got lots of supportive honks - - bring a friend!

When: SATURDAY, 1:00pm (leaving KFC a little after 3pm)
Where: Meet at Faunce Arch (the KFC is at 805 North Main)

See you there!!

contact adam_hoffman@brown.edu if you would like more information

Success for Proposition 2!

2008-11-06T15:09:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, Californians said "yes!" with a 63% majority to support Proposition 2, a historic leap forward for farm animal welfare law. Beginning in 2015, factory farms in California will be required to provide breeding pigs, laying hens and veal calves with enough space to stand up, turn around and stretch out their limbs.

This is an incremental change, but it is progress. Tuesday produced a major victory for all of us who care about what happens to animals, and we thank those who have been working hard to pass the proposition.

find out more...
www.yesonprop2.com
HSUS news

BARC Social potluck + film

2008-10-28T19:20:00.000-07:00

Scrumptious vegetarian and vegan food, BARC friends all around, and a movie on a big TV - - all of this can be yours!

This Saturday, BARC will be holding a social potluck so that we can all enjoy a good meal and get to know each other a little better. We will also be watching the HBO documentary I am an Animal: The Story of Ingrid Newkirk and PETA. The event will be held in New Dorm A Room 207 (aka Vartan Gregorian Quad), where we have homey seating and an uncommonly large television set. You are encouraged to bring a dish, although you should definitely come regardless of whether you are able to prepare something. We ask that all food be vegetarian, preferably vegan (please note non-vegan dishes). This event is for EVERYONE in BARC - - even if you haven't been active so far, this is a great time to meet some people and get involved.

What: BARC Vegetarian/Vegan potluck + film
What day: Saturday, November 1
What time: Starts at 6:00pm, and we will start the movie around 6:30
Where: New Dorm A (Vartan Gregorian Quad A), Room 207

The more we know each other, the better we will be able to work together for the sake of the animals we all care about. Additionally, I am an Animal should be a fascinating film for anyone interested in the animal rights movement.

Take the Pledge!

2008-10-01T12:22:00.000-07:00

The College Veg Pledge is back for its second year, and Brown is among the participating schools! The pledge is sponsored by Students for Animal Rights.

“As a university student, I realize that I am a leader for my generation and an example for society. I am concerned about the suffering of farm animals and the impact of meat production on global warming, the environment, and my health. By signing my name, I pledge to abstain from consuming meat on November 19th, 2008 and commit to exploring a more ethical diet in the future.”

You can take the pledge online, and BARC will be collecting written signatures as well. You can also join the Facebook event, and check out the College Veg Pledge '08 merchandise.

First BARC meeting of the semester

2008-09-07T19:32:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!

The first meeting of the semester will be this Wednesday, September 10 at 7pm in Wilson Hall 105. We'll be talking about leadership and events for the coming year.

I'm excited for a new year of BARC activities, and I look forward to seeing you all!

~Adam

The New England Anti-Vivisection Society - - and Chimpanzees

2008-06-12T18:20:00.000-07:00

The New England Anti-Vivisection Society (NEAVS) is working to spread the word in Rhode Island about their current national campaign. Project R&R: Release and Restitution for Chimpanzees in U.S. Laboratories seeks to end the use of chimpanzees in biomedical research and testing and to help provide them release and restitution in permanent sanctuary. They are spearheading a bill with the HSUS called the Great Ape Protection Act, and one of the leads is Rhode Island Representative Jim Langevin.

Click on the ad below for more information and to find out how to help:

BARC: One among the 12,000

2008-06-12T18:06:00.000-07:00

PETA recently announced a major victory in their KFC campaign, for which BARC held a demonstration in April. President Ingrid Newkirk announced:

"Following more than five years of intense campaigning, numerous undercover investigations, and over 12,000 demonstrations against KFC around the world, I'm happy to announce that KFC Canada will be making sweeping changes to the ways it raises and kills chickens slaughtered for its restaurants."

BARC is proud to have been one of the 12,000 demonstrations that are starting to make a difference. Read more about the recent victory at http://getactive.peta.org/campaign/canada_kfc_victory

KFC Demonstration

2008-04-14T20:44:00.000-07:00

BARC will be holding a demonstration at a nearby KFC on Thursday! The KFC is located at 805 North Main, Providence RI 02904. We will meet at Faunce Arch at 4:00pm on Thursday, April 17 and walk to the KFC together (it's about a mile away).

We have signs and leaflets that Peta sent us, so all you need is yourself and your cruelty-protesting energy! (And bring some friends while you're at it.)

The demonstration will substitute for our usual Thursday meeting, which will not be held this week.

general info: http://www.kfccruelty.com/

Concert for Animal Rights

2008-04-11T20:30:00.000-07:00

Join us in a celebration of animal rights, music, vegan snacks, and videogames! (A video game music band, that is.)

Octorok
Taylor Gobar &
Isaac Jabola-Carolus
One Time String Band
Pink Jenny

Monday, April 14 8pm-10pm at the Hourglass Café

Suggested donation: $5
Proceeds to benefit Vegan Outreach (www.veganoutreach.org)

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=13725281910

The Great American Meatout

2008-03-16T13:53:00.001-07:00

Meatout is the world's largest grassroots diet education campaign. BARC will be hosting a Meatout event on Thursday, March 20 at 6:30pm at the Taubman Center for Public Policy.

This will be a casual potluck dinner, and you are welcome to bring a dish if you would like. We ask that food be vegan: no meat, dairy or eggs, please. With or without a dish, everyone is invited to come!

The Taubman Center is located at 67 George St., across the street from the Main Green.

Want to help with Meatout? Please contact adam_hoffman@brown.edu

More information: www.meatout.org

"Earthlings" film screening

2008-02-19T16:16:00.000-08:00

BARC will be hosting a free screening of the acclaimed documentary film Earthlings on Thursday, February 28 at 8:00pm in Foxboro Auditorium. Narrated by Joaquin Phoenix, Earthlings describes the ways in which people abuse and exploit nonhuman animals. Earthlings is perhaps the most comprehensive and compelling film of its kind, covering the treatment of animals used for food, pets, clothing, entertainment and scientific research.

Everyone is urged to attend, but most importantly, please encourage friends and other acquaintances to come as well. It's worth it.

Want to help prepare for the screening? Please contact adam_hoffman@brown.edu

NOTE: This week's BARC meeting will be moved to 8pm and held in Wilson 103 in order to accommodate people going to see Michael Pollan speak about food and ethics.

Events you might find interesting...

2008-02-18T16:37:00.000-08:00

There are a couple upcoming events (not sponsored by BARC) relevant to the ethics of eating:

"In Defense of Food: The Omnivore's Solution"
February 21, 2008 at 6pm in Salomon 101
Michael Pollan, author of "In Defense of Food" and the acclaimed "The Omnivore's Dilemma" will be speaking. Our weekly BARC meeting will be moved to 8pm to accommodate this event.

"Cracking the Chocolate Code"
April 13, 2008 from 1:00-3:30 in the RISD Auditorium
Leading nutritionist David Wolfe will be speaking about "how chocolate can save the world." The event is being presented by Nora Hammerman, a vegan and BARC supporter. www.davidwolfeatrisd.com

Category II status

2008-02-18T16:33:00.000-08:00

BARC was recently approved for Category II status by the Undergraduate Council of Students (UCS). The main benefit will be a $90 social fund per semester.

Welcome back!

2008-02-02T12:59:00.000-08:00

Welcome back everyone! We had our first BARC meeting of the semester on Thursday, January 31. Thank you to everyone who was able to attend!

Current plans: Midyear Activities Fair (2/5/08), request UCS Category II status, presentation about veganism at a local church in April, KFC demonstration

Other ideas: "Earthlings" film screening, leafleting on campus, host a speaker or speakers

Veg Out!

2007-10-06T11:08:00.000-07:00

We are currently writing the application for Late Night Funding for our event, "Veg Out!" At our last meeting, we discussed the details of the event, such as budget and logistics. Here is our vague outline for the event:
Date: Nov 9th or 10th
Time: 8:30PM-1:00AM
Location: Arnold Lounge or Metcalf 129 (http://dl.lib.brown.edu/mso/room_detail.php?id=103)
Food: Hopefully Garden Grille Cafe (http://gardengrillecafe.com/). Unfortunately, there is a Brown First policy which states that we can only use an outside service is Brown Dining services is unable to fulfill our needs. So I have to negotiate with them now.
Movies: Finding Nemo and The Protector (It is a Thai martial arts film about a guy who has to protect elephants. Watch the trailer here)
Plan: First eating/socializing, then Finding Nemo, then a short break for discussion/socializing, then The Protector.
We still need to finalize the date, the room, the food, and facilities management, so that we can rent tables.
We will reschedule the KFC protest once we receive the literature from peta.

BARC!

2007-09-23T14:43:00.000-07:00

We have changed our name to BARC - Brown Animal Rights Club! This name gives us a clear purpose and pronunciation. Hopefully this will lead to less confusion.

Here are the notes from the last meeting, courtesy of Tisa:

We decided to do the KFC demo from 4:30 to 5:30pm on October 3rd. (not sure which kfc yet.)

We need to come up with 100 names by September 30th for the veg pledge. We'll each be responsible for (at least) 10 -15.
PLEASE download the sign-up sheet here: http://download.yousendit.com/D134BD8A1EABE8EE
Download it quickly because it will expire 9/30!

We considered Chicken Run, Babe, Finding Nemo and Charlotte's Web for veg movie night. We're waiting to hear back from BEAN. If we don't hear back from them by our next meeting, we'll proceed without them.

We'll bring KFC protest fliers to the next meeting for everyone to distribute in their dorms and around campus.

We will vote on a movie next week.

Please visit www.crueltyfree.com . It's a social networking site specifically for animal rights.

Happy New (School) Year!

2007-09-17T17:58:00.000-07:00

Here is what we discussed at our first meeting of the year:
College Veg Pledge! http://www.collegeveg.org/ (Tuesday, November 13)
We want to plan an activity the weekend before the pledge day (Nov 9 or 10) using the SAO's Late Night fund, possibly a joint venture with BEAN. We would serve vegan food, show an AR-themed movie, and get people to sign up for the pledge.
We will tableslip for the next meeting, which is Thursday, 9/20, 7-8pm in Wilson 105. If you can tableslip Ratty lunch on Thursday, please let us know.
We will also be protesting KFC soon.
We all want to improve the quality of vegetarian food in the cafeterias. Let's think of concrete improvements that could be made and then suggest them to Dining Services.
Currently, meetings are Thursdays, 7-8 in Wilson 105. If this time doesn't work for you, but you want to come to the meetings, let us know, because we can still change it.
Also, we might want a name change. Animal Rights Club? Vegetarian Club? Post your suggestions.
-Eric

Last Meeting & Food Services

2007-02-28T12:08:00.000-08:00

At our last meeting, we talked about making a booklet that says what animal ingredients foods from the Ratty, VDub, etc. have in them. We also divided up the task, assigning each person an eatery. We also discussed showing a vegetarian-related movie and the Meatrix (www.meatrix.com), and we could give people the free flyers we got. On Tuesday, Kate, Aditi, and I met with Bridget from food services, who is the nutritionist who determines the menu for the Ratty. Basically, our idea ran into a lot of problems. Some of these aren't problems with our idea so much as they are problems with how the Ratty operates.
-The Ratty's definition of "vegetarian" and "vegan" currently does not take food additives, such as honey, carmine, or gelatin, into consideration. So, they can label a dish vegan even if it has gelatin. Although, it's highly unlikely that any of the normal vegan foods at the Ratty would have gelatin in them (you know, like salad and pasta). Btw, the pasta is eggless unless it says egg noodles. And there's no chicken stock in any of the vegetarian soups, or anything like that.
-They buy a lot of products pre-made from their suppliers. Their suppliers aren't normal grocery store brands like Kraft, etc. so it can be hard to find out what the ingredients are.
-When their suppliers run out of an item, they temporarily replace it with a similar item. That means, that even if some product they get (like a sauce or something) is vegan, they might replace it with a non-vegan sauce on short notice.
-On the bright side, the vegetarian food is made separately from the meat food (e.g. veggie burgers are cooked separately from the hamburgers, etc.). This is to comply with food safety standards.
-Also, a lot of their vegan items are made from scratch, so we don't have to worry about the distributor. It should be pretty easy to find out what they put in things they make on site.
Also, we gave her suggestions of what vegetarians would like to see on the menu. She said she's trying to figure out a way to serve fake deli meats, but there are a lot of issues (shelf life, appearance, brand, etc.) that have to be worked out. She said she hopes to have it by the beginning of next year.
She didn't seem to be too crazy about our booklet idea, but she said it might work, so she'll think about it and look into it, I guess.
Anyways, I think a good thing for our club to think about now is what movie to show for our movie event. You can post suggestions here to the blog or just email me, and then when we meet we can vote. I propose Chicken Run and Peaceable Kingdom (it's a documentary about factory farming, they interview ex-factory farmers and vegans, and it's about compassion towards animals www.tribeofheart.org).
There are a bunch of people who can't make it this week, so no meeting, but we'll have one next week, fo' sho'.
-Eric

Next Meeting

2007-02-20T18:20:00.000-08:00

Our next meeting will be this Friday, Feb 23, 5-6pm, in Wilson 305. (That's right- not Kate's house. We want to have a bigger space this week in case more people show up.)

First Meeting

2007-02-16T06:57:00.000-08:00

Here are the minutes from our first meeting:
-email Bridget (nutritionist for Brown Dining Services)
-organize list of favorite foods (so we can have meal suggestions for the cafeteria)
-start collecting info for booklets--> eventually will be organized into a sort of How To guide on being veg*n on mealplan
-veal parmesan (once we've developed a relationship with BDS we should ask them to stop serving veal)

-sponsors? (Whole Foods, etc)
-events? (movies: Fast Food Nation, etc)
-table slips/publicity (to advertise our next meeting)
-Next meeting time: Friday, February 23, 5:00-6:00pm at (EDIT: Wilson 305)
So, the first thing we'd like to do is make a little booklet that we could put next to the ingredients book at the Ratty, it would be a guide to what's veg*n there. We also want to send Bridget, the nutritionist, suggestions of veg*n meals or products they could serve. If you have any favorite meals/suggestions, send them to Kate: kaitlin_goldstein@brown.edu. Some ideas we had for future events were bake sales, showing a movie, and a Vegetarian Day at the Ratty where members of the club could help cook veg food, and maybe get Whole Foods and Garden Grille to sponsor it.