Love them or hate them, the number of people going vegan is growing daily and they are definitely here to stay.
Vegans have a reputation for being militant extremists and like every movement, be it religious, political or social, there is that element. But most vegans just want you to know why they are doing what they are doing in the hope that your conscience will make the decision for you – that is: to not use any animal products – for environmental reasons and/or for consideration of animal rights.
On Sunday, a group of animals lovers spent some time in Lismore for the second annual Vegan Chalk Challenge, a worldwide event where people chalk bomb their local community on September 30 and October 1.
The idea of the challenge is simple:
1. Write a vegan chalk message.
2. Take a picture.
3. Post to social media with the #VeganChalkChallenge hashtag.
The challenge organisers invite people to not worry if they are not artistic – ‘The animals need our voices, not our penmanship!
‘Chalking is an easy, fun and effective way to make a difference for animals. If you’re nervous about other forms of activism or want to add another tool to your activist toolbox, grab some chalk and give it a try.’
Local mum and long time vegan Heather Dunn was one of the Lismore bombers. Heather feels very strongly about not using animal products in her life. ’As a mother, I couldn’t bear the thought of another mother having her baby taken from her so that I could have cheese or cows milk in my tea.
‘Cows milk is for baby cows, dog milk is for puppies and human milk is for baby humans.’
Heather says that it really is as simple as what you choose to put in your supermarket trolley and that world peace begins on your plate. ‘Each time we shop is an opportunity to choose compassion over cruelty.
‘Going vegan is not only a leap forward in kindness, but also a really positive choice for a better environment and better health.’
The Lismore group delivered their challenge to Magellan Street and Keen street on Sunday afternoon, starting at The Garden Plate, well known for it’s vegan food, and found themselves in quite a few conversations with passers by in what turned out to be a very peaceful and informative chalky protest.
The next opportunity for a vegan chalk bomb will be during World Vegan Day – an annual event celebrated by vegans around the world every November 1.
Photos David Lowe
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