Ever since we filed our first lawsuit, our opponents have tried to create fear around what a future with nonhuman rights would look like–for our clients, for humans, and any other angle they think will work. For example, the Bronx Zoo and its allies have tried to argue that recognizing Happy’s right to liberty would bring down the entire dairy industry and that freeing Happy to a sanctuary would be harmful to her (despite all the evidence to the contrary).
Based on what I’ve seen during my 10+ years with the NhRP, creating fear is actually our opponents’ main tactic. That’s because, like anyone trying desperately to hold onto old, oppressive ways of doing things, fear is really all they have.
At the same time, our opponents have a massive amount of resources. They’re often wealthy and powerful institutions that enjoy a good reputation in their communities or even nationally. They have friendly, longstanding relationships with the media (especially, if they’re a zoo, local media). All this puts them in a strong position to stoke fear about nonhuman rights in the public sphere and spread the kind of misinformation that keeps the oppression going–and the customers coming.
We, in contrast, are a small nonprofit organization. We do a lot with a little, but to reach people where they are and change hearts and minds on the scale that will be necessary, the nonhuman rights movement needs a lot more funding–ideally, millions of dollars more funding. The good news is that even small donations add up quickly.
You can help the NhRP combat fear and misinformation by donating this week to support our advertising campaigns, educational events, rallies, grassroots advocacy, and media outreach. Through April 28th, your donation will be matched up to $25,000 thanks to a generous donor.
