As the 2007 Season for Nonviolence came to a close, it did so proudly citing significant progress in creating ground-breaking inclusiveness for beings of all species.

A Season for Nonviolence (SNV) is an annual, global event that takes place each year from January 30 - April 4. This 64-day educational, media, and grassroots campaign is dedicated to demonstrating that nonviolence is a powerful way to heal, transform, and empower our lives and our communities. Inspired by the respective 50th and 30th memorial anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., this international event honors their vision for an empowered, nonviolent world.

Each year, more animal-themed events are popping up. While original task-forces formed to support the event were dedicated to human activities, someting very interesting happened this year! Animal-centric task force leaders stepped up to illustrate the fact that animals are worthy of acknowledgement in this arena as they are frequently the victims of violence in unfathomable numbers.

How did they tie the concept of nonviolence to animals?

SNV taskforce leader, Rev. Dr. Mitzi Lynton cited the subtle violence associated with pet overpopulation. "While many turn their eyes away from the sadness of abandoned, neglected, abused or surrendered animals, if one can inspire in others the courage to look this cruelty directly in the eye, the concept of violence in this arena is not so far-fetched. Awareness is always the first step in changing any situation from what we don't want, to what we do want. What we do want is a society that collectively awakens to the impact each of our individual choices has, not only on our human community, but also on our animal community."

Jana Henre, active in her San Mateo, CA church on behalf of animals, further illustrated this theme. "Consider the violence tied to animals who may be exploited. Dogfighting and Bullfighting are two of the more obvious, but what of the other more ‘acceptable’ and subtle venues? Children are frequently brought to the circus or rodeo as part of a family tradition spanning generations. However, just beyond the famous three rings may lurk horrific training sessions during which elephants are routinely beaten and abused. It is well documented that elephants grieve for departed family members and maintain deep relationships within their herds. Rodeos? Electric prods, sharp sticks and caustic ointments are common practices to illicit purported, 'wild behavior.'"

Others draw comparisons to horse racing and greyhound racing. "Most greyhounds have a racing life of approximately three years," said Sue Willis, a Denver SNV supporter. "When they stop winning," she continued, "they are routinely killed, or worse. Unprofitable greyhounds may be sold to research laboratories where they undergo invasive procedures before they are killed." In fact, In April 2000, a Wisconsin man was caught selling more than 1,000 former racing dogs to Guidant Corporation research laboratories, where they were used to test pacemakers before being killed. All agree that the handful of wonderful greyhound rescue groups, do a valiant job. However, when estimates range from 5,000 to 20,000 greyhounds killed annually, their heroic efforts are, sadly, a tiny drop in a massive bucket. "Clearly," concluded Willis, " violence is not always overt."

To honor the SNV in 2006, a Phoenix, AZ workshop entitled, "Creating Compassionate Communities," attracted almost 50 attendees and discussed animal-centric community support and humane education programs. This year one church community held a Compassionate Easter Basket sale to illustrate the sale of live animals at Easter time, offering instead, baskets of stuffed animals with adoption certificates and booklets on how to rescue wildlife. Another group did an informational tabling in honor of the Great American Meat Out, offering vegan food samples. Yet another group held a, "Living A Compassionate Life" workshop to educate their audience about the incredible impact of compassionate food, clothing and entertainment choices.

These examples clearly illustrate the natural bridge we can build from A Season For Nonviolence...to animals. So for next year's SNV, won't you consider being a voice for the voiceless? Will you step forward as a participant in beginning to shift the paradigm of cruelty and exploitation to one of peace and nonviolence for animals? You can begin to “speak” the language of nonviolence starting with the personal choices you make and inspire others to make.

Dr. Lynton summarizes it perfectly: "As each person commits, during the Season for Nonviolence, to make a conscious choice to embrace peace for animals, collectively we can change our world. It's time for us to stop waiting for someone else to step forward. It's time for us to realize the power each of us has --- we are the leaders we have been waiting for and the time is now for us to usher in a new era of peace and nonviolence which includes all species."

Indeed!

For more information on A Season for Nonviolence, visit www.agnt.org