On Election Day, our nation voted for a new president, capping a wave of optimism and hope among millions. In California, another historic vote took place when Proposition 2 was approved by a wide margin - 63% to 37% - banning some of the most egregious factory farming abuses (veal crates, gestation crates and battery cages) in our nation’s largest agricultural state. By voting Yes on Prop 2, California’s voters made a statement of principle and told the factory farming industry that its abuses are outside the bounds of acceptable conduct in our society.

It is the rare miscreant who condones animal abuse, but tragically cruelty has become the norm on today’s industrialized animal farms. Most citizens are appalled when they learn about how cows, pigs, chickens and other animals are mistreated, and with growing awareness about the animals’ suffering, change is inevitable.

I had the pleasure of celebrating our Prop 2 victory on Election Day with friends and colleagues in Los Angeles. I was elated by our monumental achievement, moved by the generosity and kindness of those in the room, and grateful to be part of a movement that aspires to bring out the best of our humanity.

Photo courtesy of Marisa Miller Wolfson

 
Photo courtesy of YesonProp2

After speaking at Borders Books in Los Gatos, California, I went out to dinner in nearby San Jose with a dozen activists involved in a major campaign.  They played a key role in collecting signatures to place an initiative on the California ballot for this coming November, which aims to ban three cruel confinement systems: veal crates, gestation crates, and battery cages.  Thanks to the hard work and dedication of these and other caring citizens, Californians voters will have a chance to lessen the suffering of nearly 20 million animals in the state on Election Day this November.  (More information on the campaign is at www.humanecalifornia.org.)

Gene