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Engaging Politicians - Sat. 3:30pm
Obtaining position and platform plank, educating delegates, electioneering

Presenters: Hershaft, Knight, Laws, Nixon, Thieme

Alex Hershaft, PhD
Farm Animal Reform Movement, www.farmusa.org

Click here for a formatted version of Alex's outline.

A small group of determined activists can have a significant impact on our political system.

Key Elements

• Purpose: influence politicians’ perception of AR as a popular issue; get media exposure
• Timing: only once in four years – 2008 next
• Access: free – lobbyists pay $thousands
• Media exposure: 15,000 world media reps at the conventions, with nothing to do

National Election Process

• Early primaries; later primaries
• Position papers
• National platforms
• National conventions
• Campaign work

Involvement Opportunities

• Political forums: leafleting in and out, sit near mike, prepare loaded questions, 2-3 people best
• Letters to editor, especially in early primary states
• Contacts with Issues Directors, especially early
• Lobbying platform committee members at hearings, social occasions, etc.
• Leafleting and lobbying convention delegates and guests at the conventions
• News releases and media interviews at the conventions
• Holding up signs in convention stands
• Working for or contributing to a candidate; role of Humane PAC

Anecdotes

• Wrong hotel and display table in Philadelphia in 1982
• Casey Kasem and free passes in Atlanta in 1984
• Conga dance in New York in 1988
• Airborne signs in Houston in 1992

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Andrew Knight BSc, BVMS, CertAW, MRCVS
Veterinarian and animal advocate, www.AnimalConsultants.org

Click here for a printable version of Andrew's outline.

Political parties for the animals worldwide

The inspiration for Animals Count (UK): the Dutch Party for the Animals

Establishing Animals Count

1. creating a political manifesto (see below)
2. electoral registration
3. launch
4. publicity
5. celebrities
6. stands at festivals/public events
7. growing membership
8. fundraising

Political objectives

1. contesting seats where proportional representation exists
2. educating the electorate about the animal policies of candidates from other political parties
3. cooperation with pro-animal parties/candidates
4. influencing the policies of other parties

The U.S. Party for the Animals!!

Animals Count main aims

As the UK political party most strongly advocating protection for animals, Animals Count has 23 aims focused on the advancement of animal issues (www.AnimalsCount.org). Five of our main aims include:

1. Phasing out farming systems with poor welfare consequences for animals.
2. Ending the long distance transportation of live animals.
3. Establishing an independent transparent scientific inquiry to thoroughly review the ethical, scientific and economic implications of animal research.
4. Banning all hunting, without loopholes.
5. Establishing a basic national animal health care system comparable to the NHS.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ Animals Count: they count on you! ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

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Robert Nixon
Animal Lobbyist

This workshop section will focus on:

• How to get a politician to vote for our issues.
• How to build a political base (a group of politicians who will vote for many or most animal legislation.)
• How to work in a political campaign and why it is a major move for the animals.