CONTACT: Lisa Levinson, lisa@idausa.org, 215-620-2130

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/B74LlfYISzA

LOS ANGELES (February 11, 2019) – Los Angeles activist poet Sean Hill has released a love poem like no other for Valentine’s Day - one that shares love for people and celebrities who help animals. In his new video, Hill delivers heartfelt lyrics that give voice to the unsung work of animal activists. The emotional and deeply compelling ode was penned and performed by Hill in honor of Activist Appreciation Month which is held each February by In Defense of Animals to celebrate the compassionate work of animal activists.

Non Stop Loving by Sean Hill opens with a poignant quote from celebrated Russian author Leo Tolstoy, “Everybody wants to change the world but nobody wants to change.”

The ode pays tribute to a multitude of celebrity animal activists including Vanessa Williams, Stevie Wonder, Leonardo DiCaprio, Darren Aronofsky, Joaquin Phoenix, Ellen, Ellen Page, Erykah Badu, and Zac Efron.

Hill also invokes ancient philosophers Socrates and Pythagoras who taught respect for animals, and name-checks Coretta Scott King who asserted that animal rights are the next “logical extension” of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s philosophy of non-violence.

Activists from In Defense of Animals, The Save Movement and Anonymous for the Voiceless are thanked, along with shoppers who make compassionate choices at Lip Bar, MooShoes, the Vegan Scene, and even Michelin.

Hill closes by thanking everyone who makes a difference, “Thank you to every single of you non stop loving activists who believes in themselves believes in each other and believes in changing yourself to change the world,” raps Hill.

In Defense of Animals has celebrated Activist Appreciation Month for three years now.

“This is the third annual Activist Appreciation Month and our best yet,” said Fleur Dawes, Communications Director at In Defense of Animals. “In Defense of Animals has provided support to animal activists through our mentor hotline for years, and this month we have a raft of special online events, spotlights on social media to celebrate activists’ good work, and this special poem to thank animal activists. We invite everyone who cares for animals, humans, and the environment to share Sean Hill’s activist love poem with someone they appreciate and join our collaborative action with activists worldwide to save the Amazon Rainforest.”

Animal activists are prone to compassion fatigue and burnout due to the overwhelming and never-ending demand to help animals. Activist Appreciation Month fosters self-care and encourages sustainable activism to ensure that animals are protected from harm for the long haul. In Defense of Animals honors activist efforts and provides the respect they deserve by providing programs to improve the health, wealth, and wellbeing of animal activists.

“We offer emotional and spiritual resources for animal activists who are often misunderstood and misrepresented in their efforts to help others - they bear the burden of protecting and fighting for animals,” said In Defense of Animals President, Dr. Marilyn Kroplick. “Without the efforts of animal activists, animal abuse will continue indefinitely. We will support animal activists’ efforts until the morals of our society catch up with those of Mahatma Gandhi and other great leaders.”

Watch Non Stop Loving, take part in Activist Appreciation Month and see the full line-up of events here: www.idausa.org/activistmonth

### NOTES ###

Activist Appreciation Month is part of In Defense of Animals’ Sustainable Activism Campaign to support activists’ vital work to help animals: www.idausa.org/sustainableactivism

Sean Hill is an actor, poet, and TedEx guest speaker: https://letsbendreality.com/home/bio

In Defense of Animals runs the Animal Activist Support Line to assist animal advocates everywhere, regardless of their affiliation. The line offers free counseling and resources for activists, by activists. Counselors are trained in nonviolent communication techniques and most are professional therapists and coaches who practice a vegan lifestyle.

Contact an Animal Activist Helpline counselor for free by phone, text, email, and online chat at 1(800) 705-0425, www.idausa.org/activistsupport

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In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization with over 250,000 supporters and a 30-year history of fighting for animals, people and the environment through education, campaigns and hands-on rescue facilities in India, Africa, and rural Mississippi.

IN DEFENSE OF ANIMALS • 3010 KERNER BLVD. • SAN RAFAEL, CA 94901 • 415-448-0048