On September 19, dozens of Mercy For Animals staff, interns, and volunteers braved the heat to march in the 2010 Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade in Dallas, Texas. One of the biggest and most exuberant gay pride celebrations in the southern half of the country, this event drew about 35,000 people. MFA supporters proudly marched behind a banner declaring “No one is free when others are oppressed” while waving flags, blowing colorful whistles, sporting MFA logo tees, and tossing Mardi Gras-style bead necklaces to the enthusiastic crowd.
Joining this major event were two special guests: long-time MFA supporter Ari Nessel, and Arathi Jayaram, who was visiting from Chicago where she serves as MFA’s Director of Operations. Tough Cookie Bakery generously provided MFA marchers with free, delicious vegan cinnamon rolls that were quickly devoured!
Such a positive and joyful event was ideal for spreading the word about compassionate eating, and our volunteers did just that! MFA leafleters distributed almost 4,000 copies of our pro-vegetarian brochure that features a puppy and a piglet and poses the thought-provoking question, “Why love one but eat the other?” Volunteers with Vegan Outreach also participated in the event, distributing countless more literature. As the leaflets flew out of our volunteers’ hands, spirits were high and we received many thumbs up and words of support.
Photographs by Sylvia Elzafon.
