Dead chicken thrown at animal rights conference

By Alix Rassel

An animal rights conference in Luxembourg was interrupted when an activist threw a dead chicken carcass on the presenter's table.

The incident occurred at the start of the fifth annual International Animal Rights Conference on Friday evening during a presentation by Sebastien Zosch, CEO of VEBU (Europe's largest Veg association) on "Effective Ways to promote Veganism."

Fellow activist, Frederich Mülln of Soko Tierschultz stormed onto the stage and threw the carcass in protest of VEBU's recent promotion of the German meat company Rügenwalden Mühle's new Vegetarian range.

“Promoting a Vegetarian product manufactured by a meat company is dancing with the devil," remarked Frederich accusing VEBU of selling out to commercialism. The interruption left many of the conference participants stunned and outraged.

"It was a disgusting and scandalous stunt," remarked one attendee, adding "I fear that it may have set a very bad precedent for future conferences."

The issue of how to effectively 'promote' Veganism and Vegetarianism was a common theme throughout the four-day event. Michael Weberman of FARM explained how five out of six people who explore a Vegan diet do not stick to it.

Whilst Tobias Lennaert, founder of EVA in Belgian said that the transition was shown to be more sustainable when taken over time.

Deciding to go Vegan overnight is a difficult step and individuals should be encouraged to progress at their own pace. Whilst activists such as Frederich Mülln still believe that Veganism is a protest movement.

The majority of attendees and speakers feel that the increased publicity regarding Veganism is an opportunity to save more animals. "Animal rights has traditionally had a very militant image," explained Josh Harper, Co-Founder of Talon, adding: "We need to show that animal rights has many voices coming from a variety of demographics."

This demographic has recently included celebrities like Beyonce, Jay Z, Joaquin Phoneix and Miley Cyrus who have all 'dabbled' in Veganism and brought it into the public domain. Sebastien Zosch is one of those individuals who believes that a gentler approach serves the animals best.

"Garden Gourmet was once only selling Vegetarian products, now they have five Vegan products in their range."

"The Vegan movement is very diverse and we need to work together as a community to be effective."

That community spirit was very much in evidence amongst the conference participants who made the most of the four days to meet people and share experiences.

"It's the first time I have been to this conference." said Kelly from Colorado, USA, " I have literally been blown away by the diversity of the movement and will leave truly inspired!"

www.ar-conference.com

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