Here are the top ten reasons why animal liberation activists must join the peace movement:

10. Because war and animal exploitation are two expressions of the same cultural orientation toward domination rather than cooperation.

9. Because we believe that human and non-human animals deserve the same compassion and respect and therefore we must care about the human children who will be terrified, killed, injured, displaced, and orphaned by war.

8. Because peace activists are compassionate people who might over time be convinced to extend their compassion to non-human animals.

7. Because wartime constraints on civil liberties have already and will continue to jeopardize our ability to advocate for animals.

6. Because, if we ever wish to gain the support of a critical mass of people, the animal liberation movement cannot afford to remain estranged from social justice movements.

5. Because the United States military practices vivisection on a massive scale, testing conventional, chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons on animals.

4. Because military attacks on urban spaces terrify, kill, injure, displace, and bereave companion animals.

3. Because military attacks on rural locations terrify, kill, injure, and bereave farmed animals.

2. Because bombs and biological weapons destroy habitats and poison the environment upon which all animals depend for sustenance.

1. Because bullets, bombs, and biological weapons donŐt distinguish between human and non-human animals.

Here are some links concerning the impact of war on animals:

Animal victims of the 1991 gulf war
http://fn2.freenet.edmonton.ab.ca/~puppydog/gulfwar.htm

Environmental impact of 1991 gulf war
http://www.commonsentience.com/Gulf91.html

Animal victims of U.S. military war games
http://www.peta.org/feat/wargames
http://www.peta-online.org/liv/animaltimes/a199/war.html

Weapons testing on animals
http://www.iridescent-publishing.com/rtm/ch5p9.htm
http://www.peta.org/feat/military

Impact of war on environment
http://www.islandpress.org/eco-compass/war/index.html

Here are a few helpful tips for animal liberation activists working within the peace movement:

DO mention non-human animals when discussing the innocents who will be hurt in the course of warfare.

DON'T forget to include humans when discussing the innocents who will be hurt in the course of warfare.

DO make yourself useful so that you will eventually be regarded as a trusted ally.

DON'T try to introduce your agenda to an organization until you have won that trust.

DO refer to your own veganism as an expression of peace.

DON'T expect people to immediately see the connection and change their diets overnight.

DO understand that working in coalition means you will not agree on every point.

DON'T even try to do this if you are currently so (justifiably) angry at people that you cannot work with those who do not share your views.

DO remember that change is a process and that other animal advocates are with you in spirit even when you feel very alone.

DO what you can and trust that others are doing the same.

This essay has been published in various venues, including Common Sentience, VegNews, and The Animals Voice. Opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of the sanctuary or its sponsors. Permission to reprint is granted but any changes must be approved by the author.