Activist Appreciation Month 2023 Celebrates Activists of All Species
February is Activist Appreciation Month, when we celebrate the noble efforts of activists who help animals around the world with activist spotlights, tributes, mini-grants, Valentine’s Day actions, and special online programs with resources to support your activism. This is our 7th annual celebration, and our theme for 2023 is interspecies activism. We’re honoring humans who advocate for other animals, and for the very first time, we’re also honoring animals who become advocates for members of their own species!
Hollywood cougar P-22 was a remarkable advocate for his species. When he crossed two freeways, he became isolated at Griffith Park in Los Angeles. His lonely fame brought focus to the imminent local extinction of the Santa Monica Mountain lions and galvanized heroic efforts to build the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing with support from In Defense of Animals. Once completed, the crossing will improve connectivity in a broken landscape and save the lives of countless animals in the region. Although P-22 sadly passed in 2022 from being euthanized after a tragic car strike, his legacy lives on to ensure that mountain lions, bobcats, gray foxes, coyotes, mule deer, and other animals can travel safely across Highway 101 on this vegetated overpass.
Actions For Valentine’s Day
For Valentine’s Day, we’re taking action to liberate other “animal ambassador” activists, Rocky the coyote and Spur the tortoise who are currently imprisoned in Chicago, Illinois. We’re sending oversized Valentine’s Day cards from Rocky and Spur’s supporters to their captors urging their immediate release from the prisons where they unhappily reside. Thanks to everyone who signed the cards to show your support and solidarity with Rocky and Spur. Our activist friends from Chicago Alliance for Animals will hand-deliver the cards with your signatures for Valentine’s Day.
Please share stories of your favorite “animal” activists with us by responding to our posts on social media or by sending an email to sustainableactivism@idausa.org.
Activist Appreciation Month Events
February 1: Activist Appreciation Month begins!
February 3: Sign our alert to save the Foster City Geese who are in danger of being killed this year, despite our successful efforts to stop the slaughter in 2022.
February 4: Activist Tribute honoring P-22. Check our social media posts to join his celebration of life via livestream:
Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
February 7: Chicago Alliance for Animals hand-delivered our Valentine’s Day Card to Lincolnwood Trustees and to the Cook County President to liberate Spur and Rocky from their cages. Thanks to everyone who signed the cards to show your support.
February 9, 6-7 p.m. PT: Activist Support Webinar with James Hattersley of We The Free, who helps animal activists worldwide to practice sustainable activism, which is essential for maintaining a healthy animal rights movement. Watch the replay to support your activism!
February 14: Celebrate activist animals with us on Instagram.
February 16, 5-6 p.m. PT: A Soulful Activist Virtual Retreat: Reconnecting the Body, Mind, and Spirit through Art, Journaling, Movement, and Mindfulness with Registered Clinical Counselor Gillian Walters who specializes in trauma-informed therapy. Watch the presentation and guided meditation to practice self-care and improve your mental health!
February 22, 4 - 5 p.m. PT: Fireside Chat on Sustainable Activism with Campaigns Director Lisa Levinson & Vegan Therapist Paul White, PhD, LMFT. We're offering a series of casual "Fireside Chats" with our campaign team to get to know you better. For Activist Appreciation Month, we featured a chat on sustainable activism. Watch the replay for activist coping skills, support services, and community resources.
February 23, 5-6 p.m. PT: Animal Activist Support Group facilitated by our Campaigns Director Lisa Levinson, who is also a group therapist. Receive support from fellow animal advocates who understand your values. Register now to join the conversation each month!
February 27: Activist Tribute honoring Freya the Friendly Walrus.
Check our social media:
Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
February 27, 5-6 p.m. PT: Compassion In Action: Bringing the Elixir Home Docuseries Screening and Q&A with Director Thomas Jackson, who also produced the transformative film, A Prayer for Compassion. Watch the replay of the screening and discussion!
Mini-Grants
We awarded mini-grants to two groups promoting veganism in underserved communities:
- The Black Vegan Experience - awarded an In Defense of Animals grant to attend the Animal Vegan Advocacy Summit.
- Atlas Vegan Community School in Uganda - awarded an In Defense of Animals grant to continue their ongoing work to create a compassionate world for all.
Resources
Check out these specific resource pages for two popular activist topics!
Compassion Fatigue: Resources and strategies to prevent burnout
Self-Care: Alternative healing modalities to improve your health
Services
Connect with our counselors by phone, email, text, or online chat: www.idausa.org/activistsupport
Access our religion-specific Vegan Advocacy Kits to help you veganize your place of worship: www.interfaithvegancoalition.org
Join our monthly support group and find helpful webinars to practice sustainable activism: www.idausa.org/events
Activist Support
Support Line: Free counseling, mediation, resources, and therapist referrals by phone, text, email, and online chat.
Call/text (800) 705-0425
Email activistsupport@idausa.org
Chat with us here.
Activist Resource List: Your one-stop shop for strategy and physical, emotional, and spiritual support. Includes a list of vegan therapists. Access our resources here.
Monthly Support Groups: Register for our online events and watch replays of previous webinars here.
Access our Activist Appreciation Month resources from 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017, featuring activist self-care tips, stories, and more.
We want you to be sustainable activists! Tell us what support services you need at sustainableactivism@idausa.org. We value your ideas. Reach out to us today!