On Tuesday, May 2nd, Sebastopol became the first city in Sonoma County, and the third city in the country, to pass a “Right to Rescue” resolution, condemning the prosecution of nonviolent activists who investigate factory farms and rescue sick and suffering animals.

The vote happened in the final hour of a two-week long “Right to Rescue” tour. The timing couldn’t have been better. 

I and two other DxE organizers had spent the last couple of weeks in seven different states giving talks about the Right to Rescue, building community with local activists, and taking action together. We visited well-established activist hubs like Portland and Los Angeles, and smaller or “newer” cities like Olympia and Boise. And no matter where we went, we found overwhelming support for the Right to Rescue - from the worker at Trader Joe’s who supported our protest to a family friend who came along to our talk and was inspired enough to take action with us after. 

There is something really magical about meeting other people who believe in the same things you do and raising your voice together. That is my biggest takeaway from the tour: the vital importance of face to face connection. Intellectually, I know this already from reading movement literature. And I know it from my personal experience in the Bay Area, where I see the immense benefits of our in-person Saturday Morning Meetups, actions, and strategy meetings. But since COVID, none of us had spent much time traveling to other cities to meet with local activists in the network. Zoom and messaging apps are amazing, but nothing can replace physically being together. I already feel a much stronger bond with the people we met on tour despite being in most cities for less than 24 hours. 

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When we come together in person to take action, we are unstoppable. History has shown this. And Sebastopol passing a Right to Rescue resolution, and condemning their own District Attorney for ignoring animal cruelty and prosecuting animal rescuers, is just the latest example. It’s one more win in the long battle for Rose’s Law: Animal Bill of Rights. 

It can be so hard to overcome inertia, personal challenges, anxiety, or whatever it is that might be holding us back, but there is a place for everyone in this movement, and we need you to join. There is no better place to dive in than at this year’s Animal Liberation Conference. Taking place June 9th-14th in Berkeley, California, the ALC will bring together hundreds and hundreds of activists from around the world - people who are brand new to activism and those who have been around for decades. It is the one time each year where we can all come together in person and take action for animals. You won’t want to miss it. Register today at liberationconference.com. 

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