Date
December 12, 2006
Contact
Kristie Phelps
(757) 423-0093
In Defense of Animals
3010 Kerner Blvd
San Rafael
CA 94901
IDA is an international, California-based animal advocacy organization dedicated to ending the abuse and exploitation of animals by defending their rights, welfare and habitats.
Champion Bodybuilder “Pumps Up” Veganism in New Billboard
Tough Guy Shows the Power of Compassion in IDA Ad
Atlanta, Ga.—Drivers traveling east on Atlanta’s Forest Parkway might do a double take when they see a new billboard featuring a muscle-bound athlete gently cradling a newborn baby chick, near North Parkway. The intention of the ad, featuring the message “GO VEGAN and No Body Gets Hurt,” is to emphasize the benefits of a plant-based diet, which include better health, environmental stewardship and respect for life.
Billboard model Kenneth G. Williams, a champion bodybuilder and spokesperson for In Defense of Animals (IDA), is a vegan—one who consumes no animal products - no meat, eggs, dairy or honey. Williams is joined by an increasing number of Americans who are embracing vegan lifestyles for their health, for the welfare of animals, and out of concerns for the environment.
Medical studies have proven that consumption of animal products is directly linked to the three biggest killers in the U.S.—heart disease, cancer, and stroke - as well as diabetes, salmonella, E coli, and other bacterial infections. Further, a large percentage of African-Americans are lactose intolerant and suffer as a result of consuming dairy products which, contrary to the dairy industry’s claims, are not necessary for good health.
Williams is living proof that not only can one be healthy without eating meat, dairy or eggs, but it is also possible to win major bodybuilding competitions on a vegan diet. In fact, at the 2004 Natural Olympia competition - considered “the Super Bowl of natural bodybuilding” - Williams finished third out of more than 200 competitors from 37 nations.
“Sixteen billion animals suffer unimaginable cruelties each year and are killed for food in the U.S. alone. Animals raised on factory farms are debeaked, dehorned, branded, castrated, and have their throats slit without painkillers,” says Williams. “But eating animal products is also killing us. A vegan diet is better for human health, the environment, and the animals.”
A copy of the ad can be seen at http://www.idausa.org/vegandays/feature_061206.html#mid. For more information, please visit www.worldgovegandays.com.