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California Makes History For Factory Farm Animals

November 05, 2008, 1:54PM MT

By Carrie Jones

An Overwhelming Victory For Animal Welfare As Prop 2 Passes 62% - 38%

An Overwhelming Victory For Animal Welfare As Prop 2 Passes 62% - 38%

Story by Carrie Jones, Best Friend Network Volunteer

On November 4, 2008, Californians gave a voice to 20 million factory farm animals when they voted overwhelmingly in favor of Proposition 2, a modest measure with historic consequences. The proposition will end the unnecessary suffering of millions of egg-laying hens, veal calves and gestation sows who will now be required by law to have enough space to stand up, lie down, turn around and extend their limbs. It doesn’t sound like much, but the implications are enormous. The passing of Prop 2 signifies a shift in the collective conscience as Californians voted compassionately to overcome cruelty in the factory farm industry, an issue which has been too long overlooked.

Tamara Fleck speaks on behalf of Best Friends Animal Society and 20 million farm animals when she declares, “I am extremely pleased that Californians have passed Proposition 2. This is a huge victory not only for the factory farmed animals in California, but for factory farm animals across the nation. The passing of Prop 2 sends a clear message to lawmakers in DC that the American people are not only aware of the widespread animal cruelty in this country, but they are sickened by it and are demanding change. These are politically historical times for the animal welfare movement and I’m excited about what the future holds for those of us giving a voice to the animals. I believe the passing of Prop 2 signifies that we’re becoming a kinder, gentler, more humane nation.”

The opposition was fierce with corporate empires dumping millions of dollars into a television campaign which used fear tactics to discourage voters from supporting the humane proposition. But thousands of volunteers across the state of California joined a Prop 2 support campaign led by the largest farm animal protection organization in North America, Farm Sanctuary, along with the Humane Society of the United States. Californians let their hearts and minds decide when they voted overwhelmingly in favor (62% - 38% as of 11:00 p.m. PST) of Prop 2 on election night. Millions of animals in the factory farm industry will be granted the simple freedom to move around, a freedom which was taken for granted by the humans responsible before Proposition 2 was introduced, but will never be taken for granted again.

Farm Sanctuary’s President and Co-Founder Gene Baur released a statement on the Prop 2 victory:

“The passage of Prop 2 in the country’s largest agricultural state marks a monumental victory for farm animals. This campaign did an amazing job of raising public awareness about the cruel treatment farm animals endure at the hands of an industry that has consistently fought meaningful change for animals. Farm Sanctuary supporters and campaign volunteers have seen California voters respond with reason and compassion agreeing that all animals deserve humane treatment. Today marks a significant change in the way we view and treat farm animals and falls closer in line with public sentiments and values of compassion. We look forward to seeing these confinement systems phased out nationwide.”

The victory will resonate not only in the state of California, but across the country as a precedent is set in the animal welfare movement.

TO READ MORE ABOUT PROP 2: Visit Yes on Prop 2 and Farm Sanctuary

Photo by Carrie Jones

Sources: Yes on Prop 2 and Farm Sanctuary

**Best Friends Animal Society supports this legislation. For more information on how animal legislation is reported on the Best Friends Network, click here.

Comments

Posted November 07, 2008, 9:7AM by stacied

I am a member of both Best Friends and Farm Sanctuary - I am so happy to see this legislation pass. I think the tide is turning to recognize the sanctity of all sentient beings, that our animal friends deserve the same compassion and care as humans I hope that 40 or 50 years from now, being vegetarian will be the norm, and meat eating will be a thing of the past, and there will be no more homeless or hurting animals. Lets all have a dream and vision for a better world for all living beings.
Peace.

Posted November 07, 2008, 5:38PM by gskmorton

Hooray for Prop 2. It's a start. But, come on now - 2015? That's 7 yrs., +/- that these animals have to live in misery. Is this what all the cheering is about?

Posted November 06, 2008, 11:3AM by Suzqz123

For a change, the tear in my eye and the lump in my throat are for something good.
Even better is that this is not just a singular, isolated event. May the tide toward ending animal cruelty be forever turned, and grow!

Posted November 10, 2008, 7:32PM by shadowcatkg

HSUS... Oh NO!!! I'm appalled that anyone would vote for anything supported, funded, by HSUS. If this is where best friends stands, I want no further contact with anyone affiliated with Best Friends. I have no use for AR types who collect money fraudulently and are using it to eventually strip us of all domestic animals. I love my pets.

Posted November 07, 2008, 9:34PM by marybear1

thank you thank you thank you!!! i am so so happy about this, and cant wait for other states to follow suit!!!

Posted November 05, 2008, 5:39PM by zooeyrevolution

Thank you to everyone who pushed to get this on the ballot, and of course everyone who voted! This is a historic measure, hopefully California will set a precendent for other states to follow.