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Peoria Area Voices for Animals is a volunteer-run group for anyone interested in animal rights, anti-speciesism, and/or veganism in the Peoria, Illinois, area. Through peaceful activism (demonstrations, leafleting, food sampling, letter writing, speaking out on behalf of non-human animals, and tabling at local events), we work to:
1) Educate people about the extreme suffering and oppression of non-human animals caused by speciesism and the speciesist decisions humans make every day;
2) Inspire people to align their actions with their values by rejecting speciesism, adopting a vegan diet and lifestyle, and ending their financial and moral support of animal use and exploitation; and
3) Provide social support to those sincerely interested in becoming vegan, living an anti-speciesist life, and becoming active for our fellow Earthlings.
We promote peace and compassion for all living beings--human as well as non-human animals. It is our goal that all animals be recognized as living beings who have inalienable rights to live a natural life free of harm at the hands of humans.
We recognize that, despite what any outdated law states, no individual—of any species—is a thing or piece of property to be bought, sold, owned, used, abused, or discarded. We recognize the fact that an individual's body, her milk, her eggs, her flesh, her skin, her hair, and her life belong to her—not to us.
We reject and oppose speciesism, the violent ideology based on the lie that human animals are inherently superior and more worthy than other animals. We reject the lie that we human animals have the right to use other animals and we reject and oppose the violence that results from this lie.
We reject speciesist language that reinforces speciesist lies about non-human animals. Therefore, we accurately refer to individuals of all species as "he" or "she" rather than "it" and as "someone" rather than "something."
We recognize that we are “guardians” but never “owners” or “masters” of our non-human companions. And as guardians who rescue or adopt those in need but do not buy, sell, or give someone as a gift, we welcome our non-human animal companions into our families and commit to providing healthy food, needed medical care, and a safe, loving home for the life of our companion.
Anyone interested in learning more about veganism, anti-speciesism, and animal rights is invited to join us on Facebook. Anyone who is already vegan or sincerely striving to become vegan is welcome to attend our meetings/vegan potlucks. Anyone who shares our goals and is already vegan is welcome to join us at our protests and other outreach/educational events. Please join us, become educated about speciesism, and use your voice to amplify the voices of our fellow animals until they are no longer ignored and silenced.
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