Why would you be a vegan and not ever participate in protest?

Why would someone be a vegan, but not ever participate in a protest? It seems to me, that if you were a true vegan, you would be out there picketing, etc.. I am a member of a group that pickets in front of McDonalds at least once a month. I spend hours making up all the signs for our group.

The reason I ask is because I have invited several so called "vegans" to join us and they never join us. I thought most people become vegans because they care, but obviously some become vegan for vanity reasons.

not strictly true.
Alot of people have various reasons for not joining your rally.
Some reasons maybe that they care enough for the animals but don't want to be targets themselves.
Vegans are fine as is, but when they start preaching or becoming a nuisance (I'm not suggesting that vegan ism or vegan rallies are nuisances) then they may fear for themselves.
Being a vegan/vegetarian maybe because of taste, influences, pressure, or belief. But to expect someone to stand up and put their life on hold when they may even have psychological social pressure issues is too much to ask. I'm a vegetarian also, but with 4 kids i wouldn't drop everything and let my wife handle 3 kids under 5 years (including a newborn) to help out with a rally, when i know others will be there, and no one will be there for my wife. It's not about why they should do it, it's more about why they can't.

Which McDonalds on which day? I dont usually eat their junk but on that day I would make a special exception. Just to go in and order a giant beefburger meal, then sit in a window seat next to your picket line. Then smile, wink and wave as I troughed it down. Then give a nice beefy burp on my way out.

Hang on. You spend an awful lot of time on here and protesting with your group. Can I assume from that you dont have a job? Wonderful. So I am subsidising your viscious way of life with my taxes am I? Get a job scrounging soap dodger

I've been vegan for about ten years, for personal and moral reasons. I've never attended a protest. I don't think that makes me "less-vegan". I didn't change my life-style to make a statement, or to fit in with others, but to do what I feel is right. Personally, to be perfectly honest I think a lot of protests like you described are ineffective in changing anyone's mind about eatting meat, so I wouldn't want to participate.

not necesarily, My mum became a Vegan because she got breast cancer and she got a book which advised not to eat meat, dairy products etc. Although she does eat fish. So there are often more than one reason for people becoming vegan.

why does someone have to complain or protest. isn't being a vegan a personal choice.

where does it say that if you are vegan then you must wear a hair short in public and demand others conform to your view of life.

There are lots of reasons to be a vegan, lets are lots of things that you make choices on in life, although I'm in favour of freedom of choice, personal responsibility, I'm against the idea of 'Im right; you are wrong, therefoe you must change to my view'

Why do you picket McDonalds?

They were one of the first chains to market Quorn burgers.

I'm veg and I don't go to protests, because I've never had an opportunity. Maybe the people you've invited to take part have legitimate reasons for not coming. Aside from scheduling conflicts, etc. not everyone feels comfortable taking part in public protests. Maybe they feel like there are other ways to show that they care besides picketing.

I feel that you are not looking at the big picture. Being vegan and vegetarian for animal rights reasons is a form of protest in and of itself. They are standing up for what they believe in by not buying animal-cruel products and not eating animals or animal by-products. There are many forms of protest and picketing is just one of the many ways a person can protest.

And let's not forget that some people are vegan and vegetarian for health reasons only. Hence, it would not be a big deal for them to participate in animal rights protests.

Either way, it would be a sad thing to turn people away from veganism or vegetarianism just because they won't stand in the picket lines or because they are doing it for other reasons than animal rights.

And, honestly, based on people's answers to this question, I fear that you are turning people off of veganism and vegetarianism due to your own piety and self-righteousness. And I hope that people understand that you do not speak for other vegans or vegetarians.

Maybe they'd rather live in peace than all the confrontation of protesting. I'm all for animal rights, but I'm not the kinda person that could protest.

Why are you calling them so called vegans. To you does a vegan have to protest in order to call themselves vegan? I thought it was about not eating or using products derived from animals?

Edit: You didn't mention in your other question that vegans had to protest.

some people modify their diets for health reasons or because they believe consuming animals is cruel and unecessary.

some do not protest because they do not feel they have the right to impose their values on the rest of the world.

some do not protest cause they associate protesters with wackos, due to negative media coverage, others prefer not to make themselves targets of violence or face possible police brutality or incarceration

others simply don't have the time and have other obligations like another job, school, sick children or parents to care for,etc..

others donate their time and money to causes and choose not to protest because they feel their methods, such as donating money are more effective than protesting

I don't think that's true. Not every person becomes a Vegan because they don't like the way animal's are treated. Some do it for health reasons. Like with my father he has been a vegan for over 20 but this was for health reasons and for nothing else. You can't expect every vegan to have the same feelings as you. And if you disagree with the way animals are treated don't necessarily need to protest to put your point across.

Protesting is not the only way to show you care so you have alot of nerve even saying that. I dont protest, but I donate quite often to many causes. You are constantly slamming us in here in your own little way and it is not appreciated.

To be honest I would join a Vegan protest to get you to shut up, do you know how mind numbingly boring you are?

Tell me where you picket McDonalds we can all come and have a good laugh.

At you.

For goodness sake go and get a life.

Incidentally, I only ever had a McDonalds once , and the meat was certainly suspect, I doubt if it had ever seen an animal.

Being vegan doesn't mean you care what other people eat.
Some people don't like protesting or don't have time or can't be arsed.

I actually support your views against Animal cruelty I really do!!! and I support Charity's like the RSPCA by financial support. But cruelty and meat eating are two different subjects I support your views on factory farming and hence buy my meat free range.

The problem is you are an extremists and despite many well educated people trying to help you construct a better argument you are far to quick to dis-miss those who think differently to you and therefore are allowing yourself to look like a poor foolish child who kn owns no better..

In a word laughable.

So the people who don't choose to hang out in the same group with you or who have other plans are "so-called vegans"? What does that make you? It's easy to criticize others. Just work on yourself.

Some vegans are doing it for health reasons. Some don't personally want to contribute to the meat industry, but believe that it's a personal choice. Some just think that picketing is largely ineffective and alienates some potential supporters who don't want to recieve the facts in an in-your-face sort of way.

everybody does what they can ... not all people have "fighting" personalities ... if everybody was doing as much as they do, you wouldn't have to go to protests ... that's their share of the fight ... but if you really want to animate them, try involving them in some other ways .. maybe they're not "street walkers" but would want to write some articles, help print pamphlets ...
try not to be angry at people (who are on your side) just because they don't have your energy!
and an other thing: imagine your refined was a great designer(for example) and he/she doesn't have much free time ... do you think they would have stronger influence on society if they spent 2 hours protesting, or 2 hours in their studio designing a website for animal-rights organisation?


subic ... I had to make this comment: I don't protest against prisons, but I would protest against law if it was such to let murderers stay free and in society.
I believe that killing is wrong, and I fight for right of those who suffer, but can't do anything for themselves ... animals and humans!
I am realistic and I know that things won't change over night, but hey, it's been just over a half of a century that women got their right to vote, so considering time that passed and things humanity had to change and eal with, we are doing well. But I also believe that there are ways to share opinion without any kind of violence. I like to think of that as of one of the improvements we accomplished (well, OK .. not really, but we're trying)

Ashley (what a nice middle class home counties name that is!!) I hope you never become racist because I reckon there is a serious facist underneath your vegan exterior - you can not force your views on people irrespective of how strongly you feel, the secret is "education" in the broadest possible sense. Extremeists in ANY shape or form worry us "normal" citizens. The rights of animals are all well & good but what about the rights of people? Would your time not be more gainfully employed by raising funds for the NSPCC (forgive me but I think that the eradication of paedophilia is slightly more important than the welfare of a chicken - by that I am NOT condoning factory farming or the like!!) or for Third world countries, Cancer Research etc Or maybe, just maybe being part of a vegan "pressure group" allows you to have a meaningful relationship with people without the pain?? Go demonstrate in Saudi Arabia & see how far that gets you LOL ( guess I won`t be getting best answer this time huh?)

ashley. im quite new around here but you are already appearing to me as an extremist. im all for closing down factory farms. i hate the way animals are so cruelly treated. it sickens me . but you cant expect anyone to march up and down outside macdonalds waving placards. the people that eat in that place dont know what you are protesting about. yes of course they should know but protesting just gives them a reason to mock you. . i know you are right. veggies and vegans protest by not eating animals. not everyone is able to do what you do. good luck to you. i hope you make an impact. but its honestly not everyones forte.

Because 'not eating meat' does not necessarily mean 'Im a food Nazi that wants everyone to do as I say, because i must be RIGHT!'

Caring about how animals are treated does not have to include picketing McDonalds.

I eat meat, but i don't picket health food shops!

I much prefer www.veganoutreach.org There non-confrontational informative approach is better than picketing McDonalds. It would be more effective for your group to set up a table and hand out vegan cookies and samples of BBQ tofu with vegan outreach's booklets.
You sound like you are high and mighty about your picketing as though just eating compassionately isn't enough, and that is a different type of vanity. You've got to "share the joy" of veganism if you want to win converts.
Please go the website to understand the most effective approach to activism.

To assume that there are only two possibilities - that they "care" or that they are "vain", is a gross oversimplification, as well as an assumption that you have no factual backing for.

It's commendable that you give your time to this cause you believe in, but other people have their own beliefs and ways-you don't know what they may, or may not, be doing to "care". There are lots of ways to make a difference besides a public protest, and not all are visible, but they are useful all the same.
Don't judge so blatantly, it'll backfire on you, and certainly won't help your cause.

It's a personal opinion and choice for everyone - vegan or not. Doesn't mean some vegans don't care...

Not all vegans are vegans because of animal issues...some choose it for dietary and/or health issues.

If you are a student--like I am--your parents probably will not let you go. I've wanted to join protests or organize one, but my parents--particularly my PETA-hating dad--absolutely refuse to let me.

Also some vegans are only vegans for health reasons; not always for "vanity" or animal-concerning reasons. Others are in it for the environment.