An Exceptional Life
We’re sad to report that Animal Rights Coalition Founder Vonnie Thomasberg passed away on Sunday, July 13. Vonnie founded ARC in 1980 and for over 30 years defended the rights of nonhuman animals and provided leadership and inspiration to others in this effort.

Jim Mason, author of Animal Factories and The Ethics of What We Eat with Peter Singer, An Unnatural Order, and co-founder of The Animals’ Agenda magazine sent this tribute to Vonnie: "We 'old timers' who knew and worked with Vonnie Thomasberg over the years will miss her greatly, for she was a great soul and fun to be with. All of us benefit from her work, for she was a pioneer and leader in the building of the American Animal Rights movement. Sensing the rising awareness and restlessness catalyzed by Peter Singer’s 1975 book, Animal Liberation, she founded Animal Rights Coalition to put that into action for animals in the Twin Cities. With ARC, she organized some of the very first conferences to bring together speakers and activists from all over the country to talk about issues, strategies, tactics, and actions for animals."

Some of the then-young activists who attended her conferences went back home to Boston, New York, Washington, DC, Chicago, and many other major U.S. cities to start ARC-like organizations. Other attendees founded or formed the first staff of national organizations such as Farm Sanctuary and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Her leadership and activism in the Twin Cities was both a model and a motivator for animal activism across the U.S. when the American Animal Rights Movement was newly born. Vonnie, you made an awful/wonderful lot happen for animals; may the rest of us keep it going.

A memorial celebration open house will be held on Sunday, August 24, noon-6:00pm at 2832 30th Ave. S in Minneapolis. Vegan food and beverage donations welcome. Vonnie’s wish was that any memorials be made to the Animal Rights Coalition at 317 West 48th St., Minneapolis, MN 55419, or online. 

Please Don't Ride the Elephants
Wild animals used for rides at events endure confinement, long arduous journeys in cramped vehicles, brutal control methods, and physical violence.You can help end this abuse. Ask your Representative to support and co-sponsor the Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act (H.R. 4525) that aims to protect elephants, tigers, bears, and other wild animals from being forced to perform in traveling circuses and Renaissance Festivals. Don't know who represents you? click for contact info.

Events with wild animals are not safe for people either. Animal Defenders International has recently released footage of elephants used for children's rides fighting as workers frantically try to control them with bullhooks, metal bars, and stun guns.

Locally, check out this wonderful opinion piece in the Star Tribune written by ARC Volunteer Letizia Kornberg about the use of elephants at the Renaissance Festival. Many fairs and Ren Fests across the country have dropped the elephant rides; let the MInnesota Ren Fest know you'd like them to be next. Call the Ren Fest promoter, Mid-America Festivals, at 952 445-7361.

Nick News Special Features ARC Intern
ARC summer intern Lilia was featured on Nickelodeon's Nick News Special "Animal Rights...or Wrongs?" about product testing on animals. The show also highlighted ARC's No Pain In My Name campaign against animal addiction studies at the University of Minnesota. Lilia did a great job of explaining why animal testing is wrong and why she works to end animal testing. You can watch young people on both sides of the issue debate the issue (Lilia's segment starts at 6:14 minutes).