Public Policy & NGOs
Here's a look at documents from public policy and non-governmental organizations
Featured Stories
Secular Voters are Pushing Back -- FFRF Action Fund's Town Hall With Rep. Jared Huffman on California's Prop 50
MADISON, Wisconsin, Oct. 11 -- FFRF Action Fund, an organization that says it develops and advocates for legislation, regulations and government programs to preserve the constitutional principle of separation between state and church, posted the following news:
* * *
Secular Voters are pushing back -- FFRF Action Fund's Town Hall with Rep. Jared Huffman on California's Prop 50
The FFRF Action Fund, with Equality California and Congressional Freethought Caucus Chair Rep. Jared Huffman, held a virtual town hall with FFRF Action Fund and Equality California members to discuss how California's Proposition
... Show Full Article
MADISON, Wisconsin, Oct. 11 -- FFRF Action Fund, an organization that says it develops and advocates for legislation, regulations and government programs to preserve the constitutional principle of separation between state and church, posted the following news:
* * *
Secular Voters are pushing back -- FFRF Action Fund's Town Hall with Rep. Jared Huffman on California's Prop 50
The FFRF Action Fund, with Equality California and Congressional Freethought Caucus Chair Rep. Jared Huffman, held a virtual town hall with FFRF Action Fund and Equality California members to discuss how California's Proposition50 could determine the balance of power in Congress -- and safeguard the separation of state and church for years to come.
FFRF Action Fund has endorsed Prop 50 and is encouraging its supporters to vote YES on it. Prop 50, on the California ballot this November and with voting already underway, is a temporary measure that allows California to redraw its U.S. House districts for the next three elections. The measure responds directly to Texas' mid-decade gerrymander -- ordered by President Trump and carried out by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott -- that wiped out five Democratic districts and could increase the number of Christian nationalist members of Congress.
During the town hall, Rep. Huffman remarked, "The Texas governor unilaterally made the choice on behalf of all Texans that they were going to gerrymander mid-decade, redraw the lines, which is absolutely unheard of -- all because Trump told him to. That's a fundamental difference. California does not want to be in this situation. Governor Gavin Newsom did not want to have to come down to this, but he had to take that bold leadership stance."
Oklahoma state Rep. Mickey Dollens, FFRF's regional governmental affairs manager, explained how the stakes extend beyond California: "If Proposition 50 passes, it's going to put a check and balance on the Trump regime -- to stop and prevent more Christian nationalist legislation from being fed through the federal government down to the states. You don't want to end up in a state where you're having tax dollars put toward mandatory Trump bibles in classrooms or Ten Commandments postings. This is vitally important."
Equality California Managing Director Tom Temprano warned that Proposition 50 carries national implications for democracy and civil rights: "Proposition 50 has put the future of the House of Representatives -- which to many of us feels like the future of our democracy, our basic civil rights and our dignities -- squarely into the hands of California voters. As LGBTQ people, we don't have the luxury of wishing and hoping that Texas would do things differently. We have kids losing their health care, and parents and doctors being removed from health care decisions."
FFRF Action Fund and Equality California will continue to work closely to help educate voters about what's at stake for LGBTQ-plus rights and the separation of state and church. To continue this voter education effort, Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker, co-presidents of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, hosted Rep. Zoe Lofgren, the dean of California's congressional delegation and a member of the Congressional Freethought Caucus, on this week's episode of Freethought Radio, which gave listeners a behind-the-scenes look at how Prop 50 was developed.
Prop 50 is a line in the sand. It stands up to bullies who want to rig elections, silence secular Americans and enshrine Christian nationalism into law. It allows California voters to defend their own representation, create a fair national playing field, secure a Congress that protects the separation of state and church, blocks sectarian overreach and holds Trump and his allies accountable.
Click to watch the lively, 40-minute Town Hall on Proposition 50 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXOaRxGmirs).
* * *
FFRF Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) organization that develops and advocates for legislation, regulations and government programs to preserve the constitutional principle of separation between state and church. It also advocates for the rights and views of nonbelievers, endorses candidates for political office, and publicizes the views of elected officials concerning religious liberty issues.
* * *
Original text here: https://ffrfaction.org/secular-voters-are-pushing-back-ffrf-action-funds-town-hall-with-rep-jared-huffman-on-californias-prop-50/
[Category: Sociological]
Reducing Federal Civilian Workforce Will Save Taxpayer Money
WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 -- America First Policies issued the following statement on Oct. 10, 2025:
* * *
Reducing Federal Civilian Workforce Will Save Taxpayer Money
Today, the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) issued the following statement from Matthew Henderson, Interim Chief Government Affairs Officer, regarding the ongoing government shutdown as the Office of Management and Budget announces reduction-in-force plans:
"President Trump promised to shrink government as part of a broader effort to make Washington work for the American people again--not for entrenched bureaucrats."
"Spending
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 -- America First Policies issued the following statement on Oct. 10, 2025:
* * *
Reducing Federal Civilian Workforce Will Save Taxpayer Money
Today, the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) issued the following statement from Matthew Henderson, Interim Chief Government Affairs Officer, regarding the ongoing government shutdown as the Office of Management and Budget announces reduction-in-force plans:
"President Trump promised to shrink government as part of a broader effort to make Washington work for the American people again--not for entrenched bureaucrats."
"Spendingtaxpayer resources on non-essential bureaucrats while paying nearly $1 trillion to service our Nation's debt is unsustainable. The Trump Administration and Congress are thankfully already achieving significant reductions in wasteful programs through meaningful policy reforms such as the Rescissions Act and the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. Further reducing the non-essential federal civilian workforce while increasing productivity saves taxpayers even more money."
"Liberals, meanwhile, continue to hold the government hostage over radical demands like taxpayer-funded benefits for criminal illegal aliens and paying able-bodied adults not to work. While President Trump is taking decisive action to make government leaner and more productive, the left is fighting to keep it bloated and broken."
"The American people deserve a government that serves them--not itself."
* * *
Original text here: https://www.americafirstpolicy.com/issues/reducing-federal-civilian-workforce-will-save-taxpayer-money
[Category: Political]
Firing of CDFI Fund Staff Will do Serious Harm to Small Businesses
WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 -- Small Business Majority issued the following news release:
[Category: Business]
* * *
Firing of CDFI Fund Staff Will do Serious Harm to Small Businesses
*
Statement from Small Business Majority Founder & CEO John Arensmeyer about the impact dismantling the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund will have on entrepreneurs
"Laying off the entire staff of the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund at the U.S. Department of the Treasury is a devastating - if not fatal - blow to a critical apparatus that supports small businesses. This move
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 -- Small Business Majority issued the following news release:
[Category: Business]
* * *
Firing of CDFI Fund Staff Will do Serious Harm to Small Businesses
*
Statement from Small Business Majority Founder & CEO John Arensmeyer about the impact dismantling the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund will have on entrepreneurs
"Laying off the entire staff of the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund at the U.S. Department of the Treasury is a devastating - if not fatal - blow to a critical apparatus that supports small businesses. This moveis particularly baffling given that there is no evidence to suggest eliminating the CDFI Fund will offer any benefit to America's small businesses or to our economy as a whole.
The CDFI Fund has long had bipartisan support because it has a proven track record of helping the smallest and most vulnerable small businesses. The CDFI Fund is so important because it invests a combination of federal and private dollars in mission-driven financial institutions focused on supporting communities historically lagging in access to traditional financing. Countless small businesses that have launched and grown over the years did so primarily because they received CDFI Fund money after being unable to secure loans elsewhere. This is notable as Small Business Majority's research found that most small businesses continue to struggle with access to capital - just 36% of small businesses that sought funding in the past year secured any, while 24% said that the amount they received fell short of their needs. What's more, our research also found 78% of small businesses are concerned about cuts to small business support programs and strongly disapprove (67%) of the administration's actions to cut government spending.
With small businesses already struggling under the weight of tariffs, new restrictions and higher fees for U.S. Small Business Administration-backed loans, and rapidly increasing healthcare costs, it's very clear that gutting the CDFI Fund could not come at a worse time. Instead of raising the already high hurdles entrepreneurs must clear to become successful small business owners, we should be working toward ways to incentivize entrepreneurship and to make it easier to start and grow a business."
***
Original text here: https://smallbusinessmajority.org/press-release/firing-cdfi-fund-staff-will-do-serious-harm-small-businesses
FFRF Action Fund: 'Secularist' Rep. Ansari Opposes Trump Administration's Christian Nationalism
MADISON, Wisconsin, Oct. 11 -- FFRF Action Fund, an organization that says it develops and advocates for legislation, regulations and government programs to preserve the constitutional principle of separation between state and church, posted the following news on Oct. 10, 2025:
* * *
'Secularist' Rep. Ansari opposes Trump administration's Christian nationalism
FFRF Action Fund honors Rep. Yassamin Ansari, D-Ariz., as its "Secularist of the Week" for spearheading a resolution that defends state-church separation and opposes the Trump administration's Christian nationalist vision.
Ansari introduced
... Show Full Article
MADISON, Wisconsin, Oct. 11 -- FFRF Action Fund, an organization that says it develops and advocates for legislation, regulations and government programs to preserve the constitutional principle of separation between state and church, posted the following news on Oct. 10, 2025:
* * *
'Secularist' Rep. Ansari opposes Trump administration's Christian nationalism
FFRF Action Fund honors Rep. Yassamin Ansari, D-Ariz., as its "Secularist of the Week" for spearheading a resolution that defends state-church separation and opposes the Trump administration's Christian nationalist vision.
Ansari introducedthe resolution alongside Reps. Jared Huffman and Jamie Raskin, fellow Congressional Freethought Caucus members, to honor "the fundamental American principle of the separation of church and state." A press release asserted that "the lawmakers are proud to defend the Founders' vision of a country in which everyone is free to practice or not practice religion in whatever way in which they may so choose." The release also condemned the Trump administration's rampant Christian nationalism and its intertangling of religion and all levels of government, from schools to the military.
"My parents fled a theocratic authoritarian regime. They suffered under a state that was ruled by religion instead of by the people," Ansari said. "I am proudly agnostic, and it is our fundamental democratic right as Americans to choose what we believe in free from government interference. The First Amendment and longstanding practice guarantee these rights, which are under attack by the Trump administration's extreme right-wing and Christian nationalist agenda."
The resolution asserts that "the United States was founded upon the principles of religious freedom and the protection of individual conscience" and that the Founders "envisioned a country in which every individual is free to practice any faith, or no faith at all, without fear of discrimination or hostility from the government."
"The strength and vibrancy of the United States lie in its diverse, multicultural, and religiously pluralistic society, as well as those who identify as nonreligious or agnostic," the resolution contends. It honors the constitutional principle of the separation of state and church, religious freedom and accurate U.S. history, while vehemently opposing Trump's extreme right-wing Christian nationalism that contradicts these core American values. The resolution is endorsed by Americans United for Separation of Church and State, American Humanist Association, Center for Freethought Equality, Center for Inquiry, Arizona Faith Network, United Church of Christ and the Union for Reform Judaism.
Read the full resolution and view the complete list of co-sponsors here (https://ansari.house.gov/media/press-releases/ansari-huffman-raskin-co-lead-resolution-defending-separation-of-church-and-state).
FFRF Action Fund sincerely thanks Ansari, alongside Reps. Huffman and Raskin, for the staunch commitment to state-church separation and defense of religious liberty for all Americans.
* * *
FFRF Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) organization that develops and advocates for legislation, regulations and government programs to preserve the constitutional principle of separation between state and church. It also advocates for the rights and views of nonbelievers, endorses candidates for political office, and publicizes the views of elected officials concerning religious liberty issues.
* * *
Original text here: https://ffrfaction.org/secularist-rep-ansari-opposes-trump-administrations-christian-nationalism/
[Category: Sociological]
Coalition Urges Closure of National Parks After Illegal BASE Jumping, Squatting in Yosemite
WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 -- The Coalition to Protect America's National Parks issued the following news release:
* * *
Coalition Urges Closure of National Parks After Illegal BASE Jumping, Squatting in Yosemite
After Reports Of Illegal BASE jumping And Squatters In Yosemite, Coalition To Protect America's National Park Says: "This is What We Warned About. It's Time To Close National Parks"
*
Report in SFGate shows video of "illegal behavior, including BASE jumping from El Capitan and climbing Half Dome's cables without permits" inside Yosemite National Park
A story in SFGate highlights the dangers
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 -- The Coalition to Protect America's National Parks issued the following news release:
* * *
Coalition Urges Closure of National Parks After Illegal BASE Jumping, Squatting in Yosemite
After Reports Of Illegal BASE jumping And Squatters In Yosemite, Coalition To Protect America's National Park Says: "This is What We Warned About. It's Time To Close National Parks"
*
Report in SFGate shows video of "illegal behavior, including BASE jumping from El Capitan and climbing Half Dome's cables without permits" inside Yosemite National Park
A story in SFGate highlights the dangersof keeping national parks open during the government shutdown.
SF Gate reports:
A little over a week since the Oct. 1 shutdown of the federal government, videos and photos have surfaced on social media showing visitors to Yosemite National Park engaging in dangerous and illegal behaviors, including BASE jumping from El Capitan and climbing Half Dome's cables without permits.
The story goes on to state:
A park employee, who spoke with SFGATE on the condition of anonymity to protect their job, said they know of only one wilderness ranger working the entire park. And technically, that person is not even a ranger, the employee said, but a volunteer.
"There are lots of squatters in the campgrounds," the employee told SFGATE. "There are lots of people that truly believe they can do whatever they want because of the lack of rangers. They've told us."
You can see the full SFGate story here (https://www.sfgate.com/national-parks/article/yosemite-national-park-shutdown-illegal-activities-21093093.php?fbclid=IwY2xjawNVJshleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHtfI2P5I_xxaj0SElxV65gFNsK86GwK3lGKelRQ68m2iY7y2B2AKNPD80P98_aem_mAvcmQF2n-xl4sWLXFsJ1g).
In response to the story, Emily Thompson, Executive Director of the Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, issued the following statement:
"This is exactly what we warned about. And this is why national parks need to be closed until the government re-opens. This shutdown is making an already bad situation at national parks and public lands far worse. And the longer this goes, the worse it is going to get. The situation is dangerous and reckless for our parks, public lands, and the visitors who love them."
Prior to the shutdown, the Coalition to Protect America's National Parks sent a letter to Department of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, signed by 40 former Superintendents of National Parks, urging the administration to close national parks during the government shutdown.
* * *
September 25, 2025
The Honorable Doug Burgum, Secretary, Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, N.W., Washington D.C., 20240
Dear Secretary Burgum:
As former superintendents of national parks across the country, we write to you with an urgent appeal to protect our parks and public lands by closing them if a government shutdown occurs.
Past shutdowns in which gates remained open with limited staff have hurt our parks: Iconic symbols cut down and vandalized, trash piled up, habitats destroyed, and visitor safety jeopardized. If you don't act now, history is not just doomed to repeat itself, the damage could in fact be much worse.
This summer, our parks were pushed to the brink by budget cuts and staff reductions. A recent New York Times report found that at least 90 parks are already facing serious strain in an effort to comply with the directive in Secretarial Order 3426 that parks remain open and accessible to the public, despite huge reductions in the workforce.
If national parks are to be open to visitors when National Park employees are furloughed, these nascent issues from the summer season are sure to erupt. Leaving parks even partially open to the public during a shutdown with minimal--or no--park staffing is reckless and puts both visitors and park resources at risk.
National parks don't run themselves. It is hardworking National Park Service employees that keep them safe, clean, and accessible. Park staff manage everything from routine maintenance of buildings and trails to educational programs that teach visitors how to safely and attentively engage with nature to guided tours that share the stories of our collective history. National Park Service employees study, monitor, and learn from our natural world through long term projects and research - and these projects, in addition to irreplaceable resources and habitat, are in jeopardy during a shutdown.
Americans across the country and across the political spectrum cherish our national parks and public lands. They conserve our most special sites so that everyone can hike, swim, hunt, fish, learn, and seek solace in nature. With their future already under threat, now is not the time to use the parks and public lands as pawns in political games.
As stewards of these American treasures, we urge you to prioritize both conservation and visitor safety and protect our national parks during a potential shutdown, and into the future. If sufficient staff aren't there, visitors shouldn't be either.
The undersigned,
Paul R. Anderson, Retired Superintendent, Denali National Park and Preserve
Robert Arnberger, Retired Superintendent, Grand Canyon National Park
Wendy M. Berhman, Retired Superintendent, Manhattan Project National Historical Park
Marcia Blaszak, Retired Superintendent, Regional Director, Alaska
Maria Burks, Retired Superintendent, Cape Cod National Seashore
Mark Butler, Retired Superintendent, Joshua Tree National Park
Anne Castellina, Retired Superintendent, Kenai Fjords National Park
James Coleman Jr., Retired Superintendent, Olympic National Park
Michael Creasey, Retired Superintendent, National Parks of Boston
Charles "Butch" Farabee, Retired Superintendent, Padre Island National Seashore & Glacier National Park (Acting)
Fred J. Fagergren, Retired Superintendent, Bryce Canyon National Park
Mike Finley, Retired Superintendent, Yellowstone National Park
Maureen Finnerty, Retired Superintendent, Everglades National Park
Phil Francis, Retired Superintendent, Blue Ridge Parkway
Susan L. Fritzke, Retired Superintendent, Capitol Reef National Park
Denis Galvin, Retired Superintendent, WASO
Russell Galipeau, Retired Superintendent, Channel Islands National Park
B. J. Griffin, Retired Superintendent, Presidio of San Francisco
Rebecca Harriett, Retired Superintendent, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Jonathan B. Jarvis, Retired Superintendent, 18th Director of the National Park Service
Reed Johnson, Retired Superintendent, Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
Bob Krumenaker, Retired Superintendent, Big Bend National Park
Elaine F. Leslie, Retired Superintendent, Colonial NHP/BRD
Deb Liggett, Retired Superintendent, Katmai and Lake Clark National Parks and Preserves
Richard Martin, Retired Superintendent, Sequoia and Kings Canyon NPs; Death Valley NP; Wrangell-St. Elias NP & Preserve
Linda Mazzu, Retired Superintendent, Bryce Canyon National Park
Douglas Morris, Retired Superintendent, Shenandoah National Park
Jeff Mow, Retired Superintendent, Glacier National Park
Michael B. Murray, Retired Superintendent, Outer Banks Group, NC
Don Neubacher, Retired Superintendent, Yosemite National Park
Jim Northup, Retired Superintendent, Shenandoah National Park
Jim Pepper, Retired Superintendent, Federal Hall NM; Castle Clinton NM; Theodore Roosevelt NHS; General Grant NM
Bob Reynolds, Retired Superintendent, Cape Hatteras Group (Cape Hatteras NS, Fort Raleigh NHS, Wright Brothers NM)
John Reynolds, Retired Superintendent, Pacific Northwest Regional Director
Cheryl Schreier, Retired Superintendent, Mount Rushmore National Memorial
K. Christopher Soller, Retired Superintendent, Fire Island National Seashore
Sheridan Steele, Retired Superintendent, Acadia National Park
Dale Thompson, Retired Superintendent, Coronado National Memorial
Michael Tollefson, Retired Superintendent, Yosemite National Park
Tom Vaughan, Retired Superintendent, Chaco Culture National Historical Park
J. W. Wade, Retired Superintendent, Shenandoah National Park
Karen Wade, Retired Superintendent, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Thomas Workman, Retired Superintendent, Cabrillo National Monument
* * *
Original text here: https://protectnps.org/2025/10/10/coalition-urges-closure-of-national-parks-after-illegal-base-jumping-squatting-in-yosemite/
[Category: Environment]
CAIR in the News, October 11, 2025
WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 [Category: Sociological] -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release:
* * *
CAIR in the News, October 11, 2025
*
Video: CAIR-Florida Condemns Upcoming Visit of Indicted Israeli War Criminal Yoav Gallant to Sarasota
CAIR: Dozens of Muslim groups blocked from receiving federal security grants: Report - Middle East Eye
CAIR: Kata-kata Trump Usai Gagal Sabet Nobel Perdamaian 2025 - CNN Indonesia
CAIR: Nobel Peace Prize winner Machado slammed for support of Israel - The Mirror
CAIR: Calls for Nobel Prize winner to renounce Israel support
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 [Category: Sociological] -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release:
* * *
CAIR in the News, October 11, 2025
*
Video: CAIR-Florida Condemns Upcoming Visit of Indicted Israeli War Criminal Yoav Gallant to Sarasota
CAIR: Dozens of Muslim groups blocked from receiving federal security grants: Report - Middle East Eye
CAIR: Kata-kata Trump Usai Gagal Sabet Nobel Perdamaian 2025 - CNN Indonesia
CAIR: Nobel Peace Prize winner Machado slammed for support of Israel - The Mirror
CAIR: Calls for Nobel Prize winner to renounce Israel support- The New Arab
CAIR slams Nobel panel for honoring 'anti-Muslim fascism supporter' - Daily Sabah
CAIR: US Muslim group slams Nobel for awarding Venezuela's Machado - TRT World
CAIR: Why Nobel Peace Prize Winner Maria Corina Machado Is Facing Criticism - NDTV
CAIR: Nobel a Machado, perche la sinistra non festeggia? Dai rapporti con l'ultra destra europea a Netanyahu e Trump - Europe Says
CAIR calls on Nobel Prize winner to renounce support for far-right, racist and fascist parties - Middle East Eye
CAIR: Machado receives Nobel Peace Prize as Trump claims credit and critics question her alliances - Frontline
CAIR: Maria Corina Machado's Nobel Win Triggers Criticism; Here's Why - News 18
CAIR: Why Maria Corina Machado's Nobel Peace Prize Has Set Off Political Storm? - Zee News
CAIR: Why has Maria Corina Machado's Nobel Peace Prize stirred a controversy - Economic Times
CAIR: US Muslim organisation condemns Nobel Peace Prize to Maria Corina Machado - Telegraph India
CAIR: Why Maria Corina Machado's Ties With Israel Are Fueling Nobel Prize Anger - Times Now
***
Original text here: https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-in-the-news-october-11-2025/
Arrr You Serious? Long John Silver's Chicken-Centric Rebrand Nets PETA Plea: Hook New Customers With Vegan Fare!
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky, Oct. 11 -- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals issued the following news release on Oct. 10, 2025:
* * *
Arrr You Serious? Long John Silver's Chicken-Centric Rebrand Nets PETA Plea: Hook New Customers With Vegan Fare!
With Long John Silver's launching a new logo promoting its chicken menu items, PETA sent a letter today to the company's CEO, Nate Fowler, pointing out that with the tidal wave of people giving meat the heave-ho, the chain could reel in far more customers by offering tasty vegan chicken and delicious fishless filets.
In the letter, PETA notes that
... Show Full Article
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky, Oct. 11 -- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals issued the following news release on Oct. 10, 2025:
* * *
Arrr You Serious? Long John Silver's Chicken-Centric Rebrand Nets PETA Plea: Hook New Customers With Vegan Fare!
With Long John Silver's launching a new logo promoting its chicken menu items, PETA sent a letter today to the company's CEO, Nate Fowler, pointing out that with the tidal wave of people giving meat the heave-ho, the chain could reel in far more customers by offering tasty vegan chicken and delicious fishless filets.
In the letter, PETA notes thatthe vegan meat market is projected to reach over $24 billion by 2030--and that even the traditional British chip shops that Long John Silver's is modeled after are meeting the demand with plant-powered options.
"Long John Silver's best chance at staying afloat is by offering the delicious vegan fare today's compassionate diners want, not filling its menu with the body parts of another tormented animal," says PETA Founder Ingrid Newkirk. "PETA is encouraging Long John Silver's to acknowledge the turning tide and make waves with hearty meat-free meals."
Fish feel pain as acutely as mammals do and sing underwater, while chickens form complex social structures, dream when they sleep, and worry about the future, just as humans do. Yet more fish and chickens are killed for food than all other land or sea animals combined. The fishing industry also leaves behind a trail of victims that includes millions of birds, turtles, and other animals who are killed or grievously injured after swallowing hooks or becoming entangled in nets or fishing line.
Every person who goes vegan saves the lives of nearly 200 animals every year, dramatically shrinks their carbon footprint, and avoids ingesting the many toxic chemicals found in the flesh of fish, including mercury, lead, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). PETA's free vegan starter kit can help those looking to make the switch.
PETA--whose motto reads, in part, that "animals are not ours to eat"--points out thatEvery Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.peta.org/media/news-releases/arrr-you-serious-long-john-silvers-chicken-centric-rebrand-nets-peta-plea-hook-new-customers-with-vegan-fare/
[Category: Animals]