McGill Animal Liberties

We look forward to seeing you there!

The McGill Vegan: Call for Submissions and Gault Nature Reserve Weekend Retreat

We are now accepting submissions for the second issue of the McGill Vegan. Please send us your articles, book reviews, recipes and other random literary output about veganism. The deadline is Wednesday, 15 October 2008. E-maillthemcgillvegan@gmail.com . Read the first issue here. 

Also coming up is our annual weekend retreat for new and old members. We will be staying at the Gault Nature Reserve from 17-19 October. During our meeting this coming Wednesday, 24 September (Shatner 433A at 18h30), we will discuss planning and more Animal Liberties events for this year. Please confirm your attendance for the Gault retreat by bringing $30 to the meeting. If you can't make the meeting, please let us know and we'll arrange another time when you can pay. Any questions? E-mail us! 

First meeting for 2008-2009 on Wednesday, 3 September

Animal Liberties will be having its first meeting this Wednesday at
18h30 in room 433A of the Shatner Building (3480 McTavish). Newcomers are very welcome! On the agenda: introductions, a review of our 2007-2008 activities, planning for Activities Night, World Farm Animals Day and the Mont St-Hilaire new member weekend retreat.

Shortly after 19h we will be moving down to Room 1 in the Redpath
Library Cyberthèque for a screening of the film Sharkwater.

Also, our office is moving from Room 412 to Room 411. We need a couple of volunteers to help us pack up on Saturday and move in on Sunday. We would greatly appreciate any help! E-mail us at
animalliberties@gmail.com if you can spare a few hours.

Hope to see you on Wednesday evening. Soyez nombreux!

Now available: Issue 1 of the McGill Vegan

It's been a busy semester for Animal Liberties. In addition to tabling, leafletting, running a Pledge to Be Veg contest and helping to organise a rally against Bill S-203/for C-373, we've been putting together a publication for vegans on campus. We are very pleased to present to you the first issue of the McGill Vegan. 

In our first issue, you'll find an article on vegan role models by Jesse Hahm, an anarchist critique of the animal rights movement by Dave Howden, a tale of why the voting age should be lowered by Laura Jane, an article on vegan fashion by Amanda Hardman, a review of the best­ seller Skinny Bitch by Marissa Bronfman, a review by Rhiannon Gwyn of Colin Spencer's A History of
Vegetarianism, and an interview with a local SHAC activist.

You'll also find a two-page resource guide containing tips for eating vegan on and near campus, a list of interesting books available at McGill libraries, and some web resources.

Animal Liberties Film Fest

International Animal Rights Day Candlelight Vigil

Date: December 10th, 2007
Time:  5pm-7pm
Location: The Roddick Gates, Sherbrooke St. McGill University

A candlelight vigil will take place on Monday, December 10th, 2007 at 5pm at the McGill University Roddick Gates to remember the billions of innocent animals who have endured outrages like factory farming and animal testing; to peacefully demonstrate the strength of public support for animal rights; and to call for deep political changes so that animals start to really matter in law and policy.

Please bring candles, lanterns and posters.

For more information on IARD, visit: http://www.uncaged.co.uk/iard.htm

You're invited to The Big VEGGIE GATHERING on Saturday, November 24th, 2007 at McGill University!

Itinerary
5:30pm to 6pm: Arrival of participants
6pm: Opening Address and introduction of groups
6:30pm: Potluck!
7:30pm: Film – “Wegman's Cruelty“
8pm: Discussion
8:30pm: Cooking demo with Jean-François Guyon & Anne-Marie Roy
9:15pm: Closing of Silent Auction

Entrance: FREE

 Each participant is asked to bring a food contribution which does not contain any animal ingredients (no meat, fish, eggs, cheese, butter, honey, animal stocks…). This could include salads, soups, drinks, desserts, fruit or veggie platters, munchies etc.…if you need help with ideas, try visiting: http://www.vegweb.com or http://www.veganrecipes.com.

General Assembly Motion Passed! November 13th, 2007

Animal Liberties presented a motion at the  Students' Society of McGill University's General Assembly requesting that the SSMU support transparency in McGill's use of nonhuman animals in research.  It passed with a clear majority!

The Motion:

Whereas McGill uses nonhuman animals for research purposes;

Whereas McGill receives money from both the general public and the McGill student body  specifically and is therefore accountable to the community;

Whereas multiple freedom of information requests made by individual McGill students  have been denied;

Be it resolved that the Student Society of McGill University officially support transparency  in McGill's use of nonhuman animals in research.

Be it further resolved that the SSMU take action towards the achievement of this policy as a  goal. 

About START:

Students for Transparency for Animal Research and Testing at McGill (START) is a committee that was formed in the fall of 2006 by members of the SSMU club Animal Liberties who were frustrated with the lack of transparency surrounding the use of non-human animals in research at McGill University.

START demands that McGill University, as a publicly funded institution, disclose the number and species of non-human animals currently being used for experimentation within its research facilities, in Canada and overseas. START’s main objectives are:

ß To evaluate the state and extent of non-human use and research at McGill University
ß To stimulate dialogue and nuanced reflection on the use of non-human animals in research facilities

Read a 2006 article on transparency in Animal Research at McGill in The McGill Daily.

Vegan Outreach Leafletting (Thursday, November 1st)

Animal Liberties will be doing  more Vegan Outreach leafletting this Thursday on the McGill Campus.   Last week we distributed over 300 'Even if You Like Meat' and 'Why Vegan?' brochures  to students on campus, met some good people, and had some interesting discussions.  If you're interested in volunteering, please be at the Animal Liberties office (Rm. 412, 3480 rue McTavish) at 11:30am.

Sarah discussing Veganism with a student at the Roddick Gates last year.

Animal Liberties Vegan Retreat (October 12th-14th)

From October 12th-14th, 17 brave souls descended on Mt. St. Hilaire to explore nature, discuss animals, and eat vegan food...  

The cycling crew taking a break.

"Emma the Eagle, Karl the Kangaroo..."

Hiking in the Rain

Like Everest, only smaller

Contemplation

   More Animal Liberties Retreat Photos