- Host a letter writing party: Gather community members to write letters to your local, state, or federal representatives, urging them to support bills that hold factory farms accountable for the harms they cause and increase access to plant-based foods. The best activism speaks from the heart, so find a topic that interests you. To start your research, visit our Action Center.
- Organize a protest: Speak truth to power by organizing community members to protest the harms caused by irresponsible companies or organizations that oppress farm animals, farmworkers, farmers, communities, or the environment. Before your protest, identify goals for positive change. Engage peacefully and with compassion.
- Movie screening: Who can resist a movie night? Host a screening of a movie that highlights the need for food system transformation. Provide vegan snacks and prepare discussion questions to engage the audience after the viewing. For movie recommendations, check out our list of Movies, Books, and More!
- Meet People Where They Are: Request more plant-based food in your local schools and hospitals, attend town halls, and look for opportunities to learn from and join movements for local change that reflect your values.
One of the most powerful steps you can take to help animals is to directly fight for their liberation. There are so many ways you can begin to be active in your community. In this section I’ll explain a little bit about how I mobilize action in my community, and tips for you to do the same.
In 6th grade I joined Farm Sanctuary’s Youth Leadership Council. I was beyond excited, because Farm Sanctuary is the reason why I went vegan. When I visited the Watkins Glen Sanctuary at 10 years old, my life’s path and purpose changed – all I wanted to do was help animals. The Youth Leadership Council inspired me to take baby steps into becoming the seasoned activist I am today. I began by doing outreach in my elementary school. I did a presentation on the sentience of chickens and created a spirit day to celebrate nonhuman animals. I also started a petition to ban veal crates in battery cages in my state, Virginia, and it gained the attention of several organizations and my state senator Tim Kaine. Those positive first experiences with activism were vital in igniting my passion for animal rights. Now I’m a junior in high school and my focus has changed. Currently I am advocating for the USDA to take action against animal agriculture giant Smithfield Foods. I also run a micro animal sanctuary, where I work with other incredible activists to bring nonhuman animals to safety.