Stand up for animals with WDFA

Leafleting

Leafleting is an effective yet simple activity that requires little planning and time commitment, and can be done with one or more people. Here are some tips for successful leafleting:

• Many locations don't require a permit if you're on public property and not impeding traffic flow, so choose your location wisely;
• Dress like your audience. Leafleting outside a conference center, dress business casual; outside a sporting event, wear a team jersey; or wear a t-shirt that conveys your message;
• Strategically position yourself and volunteers to interact with as many people as possible;
• People follow examples of those before them, so be assertive with the first few people in each new wave;
• Be sure to create a safe environment for yourself, volunteers, and passersby;
• Have online and/or print resources ready for people that want more information;
• Keep track of the number of leaflets you distribute, so you can gauge the success of the event, and;
• Drop off a few leaflets at your local newsstand, restaurant, library, or other public place that allows for brochure distribution.

Film Screenings

Invite your friends, family, and community to a watch party to view your favorite vegan film. Make sure you have viewed the film yourself beforehand, so you are prepared to answer questions before and after the screening. Here are some tips for a successful film screening:

• Carefully select a film or video you believe will resonate with your audience;
  
  • We recommend FARM’s 10 Billion Lives video;
• Create an eye-catching invitation that includes date, time, place, and name of the film;
• Make sure your screen is big enough for everyone attending to see;
• For online screenings, choose a popular public platform with easy and free access;
• Have online and/or print resources ready for people that want more information;
• Be prepared to talk and answer audience questions after the screening;
• Consider having drinks and plant-based snacks available after the screening.

Tabling

Tabling is typically most effective as part of a festival or other organized event. Tabling offers people opportunities to pick up literature, ask questions, and perhaps even sample some delicious plant-based foods. Here are suggestions for successful tabling:

• Find a local festival or event and apply to be an exhibitor;
• If you're tabling is not tied to an event, check to see if you need a permit;
• Make your table attractive with a tablecloth, banner, colorful posters, interesting video, or other eye catching props; 
• Add an intriguing element, like food samples or vegan starter guides;
• Keep the table top uncluttered to highlight what you want people to take away;
• Engage passersby with friendly eye contact, a smile, and an invitation to visit your table;
• Position a volunteer outside your booth to help direct traffic your way;
• Have online and/or print resources ready for people that want more information, and;
• Keep track of the number of goods you distribute, so you can gauge the success of the event.

• Find a slaughterhouse or similar target near you;
  • Targets in high traffic areas can have bigger impacts for the animals;
• Gather as many participants as possible;
• Have each participant hold two signs and spread participants out; 
• Black clothing is recommended to call attention to the mourning for the animals;
• Signs and banners can be professionally printed or handmade;
  
  • Signs should be large enough to read from passing cars
  • Some slogans to consider:
    
    • Stop the Slaughter – Go Vegan!
    • Save lives, theirs and ours
    • Non-violence begins at breakfast
    • If you pet a dog, don’t eat a pig!
    • Love animals – don’t eat them!
• Chants can serve to accentuate the vigil and to capture the attention of passersby;
• Consider other props such as candles, a realistic-looking cardboard coffin, or “bloody” aprons;
• Encourage all participants to post about their experience on social media;
  
  • Be sure to include photos and videos! 

Want to participate in other vigils? Check out  The Save Movement! The Save Movement’s mission is to hold vigils at slaughterhouses worldwide and to bear witness to every exploited animal. Click here for more.

Get Involved with Your Local Veg Groups

Look for a vegan or veg group that is active in your area! These groups hold events you can participate in or even help plan. If there isn’t a veg group in your area, this is your chance to start one. Getting involved with a local veg group can help you with any of the above events and help with larger-scale events such as:

• Marches, which require a minimum of about 50 participants, permits, routes, and more;
• Car caravans, with a dozen or more cars decorated with signs and honking horns;
• Outdoor billboards, which require purchasing space for at least one month from local or national billboard companies. (We can provide the art);
• Banner drops from overpasses over busy highways;
• Public exhibits such as large photographs of factory farm and slaughterhouse scenes placed on easels in a public square or in a community building like a library or student union;
• Chalk pictures and slogans in chalk on sidewalks, outside restaurants, government buildings, and other public areas; 
• Street theater: Eye catching and thought provoking street scenes such as:
  
  • Humans in animal costumes being chased and slaughtered by a “butcher” wearing a “bloody” apron;
  • Humans with minimal flesh-colored clothing covered in “blood” and displayed in cellophane containers as at a meat counter;
  • Several humans crammed in a cage to dramatize the condition of animals;
  • Dozens of humans wearing black, spread on the ground pretending to be dead, outlined in chalk;
  • Dozens of humans in uniform color and arranged in precise formation holding up signs or fake bodies of dead animals;
  • Silent protests with video screens or signs in heavily trafficked areas;
  • Each scene should be accompanied by prominent signage noting the occasion and explaining the action; 
  • These methods can help attract the news media and draw more attention to WDFA’s mission. 

Creating and Sharing on Social Media

Social media is one of the easiest ways to amplify World Day for Farmed Animals (WDFA) and bring the animals’ stories to a wider audience. Share photos and videos from demonstrations, vigils, and other actions, post powerful facts and images, and encourage others to get involved. Every post, story, share, and comment can introduce someone new to WDFA and inspire action. Use #WDFA and #WorldDayForFarmedAnimals across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms to help build a visible, united movement for farmed animals.

General: #animalrights #vegan #vegans #govegan #veganism #veganfortheanimals #friendsnotfood #veganlife #compassion  #vegancommunity #vegetarian #veganforlife #loveanimals #saveanimals #animalactivist  #wdfa #worlddayforfarmedanimals #farmanimalrightsmovement #plantbased #climatechange #farmanimals #activist #vegangirl 

Instagram specific: #vegansofinstagram #animalsofinstagram

TikTok specific: #vegansoftiktok #vegantok