Today, World Vegan Day and the start of World Vegan Month, the Animal Welfare Party launches a ‘Let’s Make History for Animals’ fund-raising campaign through crowdfunding site, indiegogo to help fund its bid to make history for animals at the 2014 EU Parliament elections.
The party campaigns for better welfare for animals and the promotion of plant-based diets. It is one of 5 European animal protection parties contesting the May 2014 EU Parliament elections with the aim of returning dedicated representatives for animals to the EU Parliament for the first time in history.
The Animal Welfare Party, which is entirely run by volunteers, is appealing for funds to contest the constituency of London in the European Parliament elections. The party estimates it needs around 140,000 votes from Londoners in order to win a seat, which equates to around one third of the vegetarian members of the London electorate.
Prospective candidate and Party Leader, Vanessa Hudson says: “People are constantly telling us they are so glad someone is doing this work. Now we need financial help to take the campaign forwards. We know there are enough animal lovers and caring members of the public out there to vote us into our seat but many people simply still aren’t aware that we exist. We’re looking for funds to raise our profile across London and the nation.”
The past decade has seen an increase in the number of people adopting vegan and plant-based diets often for reasons of improved health and concern for the environment and animal welfare. Well known advocates of plant-based diets now include Bill Clinton, Pamela Anderson, Moby, Russell Brand, Heather Mills, James Cameron, Ellen DeGeneres, Woody Harrelson, Jessica Chastain and Anne Hathaway.
The decade has also seen the first successes in political representation for animals in the national and local governments of the Netherlands and Portugal. However, despite attempts, no animal protection party has yet succeeded in returning a representative for animals to the EU Parliament.
In 2014, for the first time ever, the animal protection parties of the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Portugal and the UK are contesting the EU elections with the aim of returning dedicated representatives to the EU Parliament.
“This is now a pan-European movement” says AWP Party Leader, Vanessa Hudson “And it’s incredibly exciting to be part of it. Even if just one of our parties succeeds, we will make history for animals. We think this is as significant as any moment in the history of women’s rights or human rights. We believe that only by having elected representatives in the EU Parliament can the interests of animals begin to be properly protected. “
The party is asking for donations from £1 upwards. To donate visit:
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Londoners can also pledge to vote for the party now at: https://www.animalwelfareparty.org/
I have a lovely image of the “Knickerbocker Glory” event to send to Vanessa if so required…please send email address.
Patrick Sherlock.