This month, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Melissa Moris. Her passion, time, and hard work makes a real difference in the lives of countless animals. We deeply appreciate her commitment to creating a more compassionate world.

What inspired or motivated you to get involved with ARC?

I’ve always been interested in using my voice to encourage others to be kinder to animals. I believe a lot of people already have their hearts in the right place, and might just need to be made aware of the truth about how animals are treated. Once they are faced with reality, they are likely to follow their heart and do the right thing.

Can you share a bit about your experience volunteering with us? What specific events have you been involved in?

My very first protest was the Shrine Circus, back when we held up signs on Snelling Avenue. So much has changed since then!

What are some key issues or areas of concern within the realm of animal rights that you're particularly passionate about?

Live animal exhibits and shows are a lifetime of hell for the animals, and they endanger the public. Parents who bring their children to these places are sending a message that animals are just another toy at the mall.

Have you visited any animal sanctuaries? If so, which ones?

I visited the Soul Space sanctuary a long time ago, before the pandemic. And Chicken Butt Microsanctuary, of course!

What's your favorite vegan-friendly meal in the Twin Cities?

The mock chicken parmigiana hoagie with “rinotta” cheese at Pizza Luce always hits the spot. I used to eat one a week when I was in my twenties.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I have been volunteering seasonally in the squirrel nursery at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for the past 12 years. I adore those feisty, fascinating little rodents. Just when I think I know all there is to know about them, I learn something new!

I also enjoy gardening, baking, biking, yoga, music, and spoiling my cats.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to go vegan?

It’s really not as hard as it sounds, as long as you’re prepared. Most recipes can be made vegan. It’s just a matter of finding which alternatives you like the best. Luckily, they carry oat milk products almost everywhere now! There will always be another vegan who is willing to help you along the way.

We love having volunteers of all ages get involved with the Animal Rights Coalition. Simon Robinson and his family have been involved with ARC for a long time. Thank you, Simon, for being such a great activist for the animals.

What inspired or motivated you to get involved with ARC? 

When I was 3 my mom got me involved, and now that I am 11 animals motivate me to continue my relationship with ARC. 

Can you share a bit about your experience volunteering with us? What specific events have you been involved in?

I enjoy giving leaflets to people that might turn them Vegan. I also hand the leaflets to them quickly, and because I am a kid they take it. Then I'm gone so they can't give it back! I have been involved with VegKins, Cuddle Coats, State Fair Leafleting, and a circus protest. 

What are some key issues or areas of concern within the realm of animal rights that you're particularly passionate about?

That's a hard question to answer. I really just want all the animals to be free, all the slaughterhouses to be shut down and everyone to stop wanting meat. 

Have you visited any animal sanctuaries? If so, which ones?

I have visited Cotton Branch Farm Sanctuary in South Carolina, Uplands Peak Sanctuary in Indiana and Heartland Farm Sanctuary in Wisconsin. Locally, I have been to Spring Farm Sanctuary, SoulSpace Farm Sanctuary, Chicken Run Rescue, and Farmaste. I also visited Rooster Redemption when they were here.

What's your favorite vegan-friendly meal in the Twin Cities?

My mom's tofu bagel sandwiches, and pasta salad. 

How do you like to spend your free time?

Reading and playing D&D. (Dungeons and Dragons)

What advice would you give to someone who wants to go vegan?

Just go for it! And also commit to it!

Volunteers are an integral part of the Animal Rights Coalition. This month we feature Clara Bordwell, a volunteer who has been involved with ARC for over ten years. We appreciate the generosity of Clara's time and dedication to the animals she advocates for.

What inspired or motivated you to get involved with ARC and can you share a bit about your experience volunteering with us? What specific events have you been involved in?

I knew that by being vegan I was going to be in the minority so I knew I needed to get involved and meet as many like-minded people as I could. I felt that ARC aligned most with my beliefs regarding animal rights. I have volunteered by doing circus, fur, vivisection, rodeo, and SeaQuest protests, some leafleting, chalktivism, Cuddle Coats, gone to dine-outs, potlucks, and movie nights.

What are some key issues or areas of concern within the realm of animal rights that you're particularly passionate about?

A key issue that has always left me at a loss for words is people's apathy towards animals and their belief that speciesism is a made-up word.

Have you visited any animal sanctuaries? If so, which ones?

I've been to Soul Space, Rooster Redemption, Chicken Butt Microsanctuary, Little Cluckers Microsanctuary, Farmaste, Anna Lake Animal Sanctuary, and Chicken Run Rescue.

What's your favorite vegan-friendly meal in the Twin Cities?

My favorite vegan meal is either some Wrecktangle veggie pizza (no cheeze) or some Thai food.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I watch a lot of YouTube cooking demos. Yeung Man Cooking (with Will Yeung is my favorite, though he is plant-based). I want his kitchen. Otherwise, I'm probably at hot yoga, walking around the lakes, doing laundry, or eating vegan donuts from UFFDA.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to go vegan?
My advice for someone who wants to go vegan is to learn the difference between being vegan and plant-based. Always keep the victims in mind. Never be afraid to identify yourself as vegan.

Volunteers are an integral part of the Animal Rights Coalition. This month we feature a volunteer, Amy Kim, who got involved with ARC last year and has been active ever since!

What inspired or motivated you to get involved with ARC?

Ever since I was a kid, I remember feeling sad seeing animals used for entertainment or stuck in captivity. I eventually learned more about the many issues surrounding animal rights and once I had a glimpse of factory farming, I knew I wanted to stop eating animals. I began looking for animal rights opportunities in Minneapolis and joined my first ever ARC event, which was a Ren Fest protest.

Can you share a bit about your experience volunteering with us? What specific events have you been involved in?

I was pretty nervous going to my first Ren Fest protest since I had never attended a protest before and didn't know what to expect. But I met such a welcoming group of people and was so glad to be standing out there standing up for animals that I came back for another one. I then joined the outreach events at Open Streets and the Bloomington Farmers Market. Those were big turning points for me as an ARC volunteer - I learned so much from Kelsey and the other volunteers. Since then I've continued to do protests, outreach, and attend volunteer meetings when I can. 

What are some key issues or areas of concern within the realm of animal rights that you're particularly passionate about?

From an activism standpoint, I personally feel the most effective when I'm out in public protesting against animals being abused and used for entertainment. However, recently I've become more involved in promoting vegan food options to those who are skeptical about it in my personal life. I let them know I'm vegan when the opportunity arises, and I try to change their viewpoint of it. I want to help others realize that going vegan isn't this huge impossible task or restrictive lifestyle. You can still eat pizza and ice cream while helping animals and the environment! 

Have you visited any animal sanctuaries? If so, which ones?

Sadly every time I've planned to visit one this year something has gotten in the way. I've made a promise to myself that I will visit at least two next year. Farmaste is at the top of my list!

What's your favorite vegan-friendly meal in the Twin Cities?

The Tempeh Reuben at French Meadow - I've probably eaten 100 of them by now.  Also Marvelous Mrs. Hazel ice cream from Bebe Zito.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I'm an active person and love sports and fitness. As of 2022 my passion is CrossFit and lifting weights. Before that, I was a (casually) competitive boxer and coach, and I still dabble in it once in a while. I'm also a personal trainer and love programming workouts for people. When not doing fitness stuff, you'll find me watching soccer games or spoiling my rescue mutts with lots of walks and an alarming number of toys and beds. I also enjoy studying Spanish and occasionally play my keyboard and guitar.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to go vegan?

Once you put in the initial work to make the switch, it gets easy. Make a plan that works for you and don't be so hard on yourself when you first start out. Make more vegan friends so you have a support group.  Finally, always remember your 'why'. 

We recently interviewed one of our devoted volunteers, Patrick Brown. We'd like to thank him for his ongoing contributions and support. Patrick takes time to build community while advocating for the animals. He's a great role model and much appreciated in our organization. 

What inspired or motivated you to get involved with Animal Rights Coalition?

I got involved with the Animal Rights Coalition initially as a new vegan, hoping to meet other vegans. At that time, I didn't know just how many issues there were that needed to be focused on.

Can you share a bit about your experience volunteering with our organization so far? What specific events have you been involved in?

My experience volunteering has been pretty good so far. It has helped me personally, to get to know other people who are like-minded and a part of the same cause. I have done mostly protests. I have been a part of a few community outreach events (handing out flyers) and hosted a few dine-outs.

What are some of the key issues or areas of concern within the realm of animal rights that you're particularly passionate about?

This may be a bit of a vague answer, but I am equally concerned about all of it. Initially, it was finding out what happens to animals that end up in slaughterhouses, that got me to go vegan. So, if I have the most passion in any one area, it's where the most suffering occurs. (Factory farming)

Have you visited any animal sanctuaries?  If so, which ones? 

I have been to Chicken Butt Microsanctuary, SoulSpace, and Farmaste.

What’s your favorite vegan-friendly meal in the Twin Cities?

That is super hard to pick because there are so many good options. I would say a Francis chick'n sandwich with waffle fries.

How do you like to spend your free time?

In my free time I like to spend quality time with my kids, and checking out restaurants that have vegan options with some friends. I go to the gym three days a week. I do some strongman style weightlifting. As well as some training in boxing and grappling. I have had several matches in the ring. It is such a great feeling to win a match, or hit a PR (personal record) lifting in the gym. When I am lacking motivation to train and struggling to get through a workout, I just think about how much worse the animals have it.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to go vegan? 

It is easier than ever nowadays. This sounds cliche, but like so many other vegans, I wish I would have done it sooner. Initially, it seems harder, because there is a learning curve and it comes with changing some habits. It makes it even easier because there are plenty of us at ARC and Vegan University that are willing to help.

Volunteers are at the heart of the Animal Rights Coalition. This month we highlight a volunteer with a big heart, Sid Drees. Sid has jumped into volunteering in almost every capacity, whether at a dine-out, movie screening, Cuddle Coats prep session, protest, or most recently at the Tasty Tofu Cookoff. Sid helps build our community and we're so glad to have his thoughtful energy advocating for the animals. Check out Sid's responses to our interview questions:

What inspired or motivated you to get involved with Animal Rights Coalition?

I was looking for ways to get involved as a fellow vegan. At a small group vegan meetup I heard about ARC and decided to check it out. 

Can you share a bit about your experience volunteering with our organization so far? What specific events have you been involved in?

ARC has been amazing! I’ve met so many like-minded people and been more social than I have in a long time. I believe one of my first events was Cuddle Coats. We take off hazardous pieces of the fur jackets that get donated to us and send them off to various wildlife rehabilitation centers. I have also gotten the chance to do my first ever protest, the St Paul Osman Shrine Circus. From protests to attending movie screenings I’ve done a lot. 

Have you visited any animal sanctuaries? If so, which one(s)?

I have been to Chicken Butt Micro-sanctuary in Oakdale MN. It’s a small chicken sanctuary that educates others about veganism, chickens, and micro sanctuaries. 

What's your favorite vegan-friendly meal in the Twin Cities?

My favorite vegan meal in the Twin Cities area would have to be the grilled chicken sandwich from Francis Burger in Minneapolis. It’s an all-vegan burger joint with THE BEST burgers and chicken sandwiches you’ll find. 

How do you like to spend your free time?

When I’m not volunteering I like to bake vegan desserts of all kinds. If I’m not baking I like to play video games on the switch, game cube, or the Wii. 

What advice would you give to someone who wants to go vegan?

Although I went vegan overnight it’s probably not that easy for most people. Try different dishes that are vegan and slowly eliminate meat, dairy, and eggs. It can be difficult at first but having a group of like-minded individuals like the ones in ARC can be helpful if you’re really struggling and really want to be vegan. 

This month we thank Anika Schwarz for her dedication to ARC and the animals we work together to advocate for. Anika took time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions about her activism and life. Here's what she shared.

What inspired or motivated you to get involved with the Animal Rights Coalition?

I first came across ARC when Kelsey did outreach at my college. That helped me go vegan and made me want to do more to help animals.

Can you share a bit about your experience volunteering with our organization so far? What specific events have you been involved in?

When I first started getting involved, I did mostly outreach and cuddle coats. It was nice going to colleges for outreach since that had such an impact on me in going vegan. Cuddle Coats is such a great event that has a direct impact on animals. It's uncomfortable to handle a deceased individual's skin, but it feels good to take it out of the market and into the homes of animals in need. As I have grown in my activism, my passion has shifted towards protesting and pressure campaigns. I can frequently be found at the Northtown Mall on weekends protesting 4 Paws and a Tail.

What are some of the key issues or areas of concern within the realm of animal rights that you're particularly passionate about?

This is a loaded question that is difficult to answer. I think what irritates me the most about animalagriculture is the unnecessary breeding of animals in any capacity. Forcibly impregnating women through artificial insemination then separating moms from their babies. Breeding chickens for excessive egg laying and grinding up the baby boys in a macerator. Creating existence for the purpose of exploitation and profit at the expense of innocent lives. The only guarantees in life are suffering and death, and it is cruel to force a life into that reality. While this is what I am most passionate about, I do not believe it is strategic for this to be a focus of the animal rights movement. I think there are more wins for the animals when we go after more vulnerable industries such as the fur industry or puppy mills. There is power in numbers and a lot of non-vegans can get behind abolishing fur and shutting down puppy mills.

Have you visited any animal sanctuaries?  If so, which ones? 

Harmony Farm Sanctuary, Rooster Redemption, Farmaste, Spring Farm, Iowa Farm Sanctuary, Tamerlaine, Chicken Run Rescue, Anna Lake, and of course Chicken Butt Microsanctuary

What’s your favorite vegan-friendly meal in the Twin Cities?

Brunchwrap at J Selby's!

How do you like to spend your free time?

Protesting, volunteering with ARC, rescuing chickens, hanging out with my cat and chickens, running (just ran my first marathon!), hiking/backpacking, kayaking, biking, lifting weights, hanging out with friends, go out to eat, watching netflix & football.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to go vegan? 

If you find yourself tempted to eat animal products, think about what that animal might have gone through behind the scenes. Instead of seeing cow-based cheese as a savory snack, think about the forced pregnancy. Think about the calf that was stolen in order for a mother's milk to be redirected into making that cheese. It makes it a lot easier to say no.

In order for ARC to effectively advocate for animals, volunteers are essential. They increase our effect and enable us to do far more than we could with just a tiny workforce. Meet Nick Burzinski, one of the incredible individuals that make up the Animal Rights Coalition!

What inspired or motivated you to get involved with Animal Rights Coalition?

I first became involved with ARC by attending dine-outs. I was pretty new to being vegan and didn't have a lot of support. I tend to be shy when first meeting a group where I don't know anyone and I remember how nervous I was before that first dine-out. I was debating if I was going to cancel and say I was sick even as I was driving there. Thankfully I pushed forward and had an amazing time! Andrew, who was one of the dine-out hosts at the time, was very welcoming and sat near me to help introduce me to some of the others and ensure I was comfortable. Someone I met that night has become a friend who, along with others I met on subsequent dine-outs, have formed our own vegan horror movie group and have had lots of fun at movies, plays, and other horror-themed events. Through dine-outs and the Meetup app I came to learn of other ARC events and got more involved. Recently I've become a dine-out host and have already had my first experience where there was someone new who I was able to help make comfortable and ensure they had a great time, much the same as that first dine-out I attended.  

Can you share a bit about your experience volunteering with our organization so far? What specific events have you been involved in?

Beyond dine-outs, some of the first volunteer events I attended were Cuddle Coats (we remove buttons/zippers/etc from donated fur coats and send them to rescue groups) and the garbage clean-ups. They were a great introduction where I was able to socialize and meet new people. It took some time before I was comfortable enough to try outreach events, but quickly found how rewarding it was to share my experience and the benefits of being vegan with others. This year I started participating in protests. Previously I had decided I wouldn't participate in them because I wasn't comfortable with confrontation and I didn't think they were effective. My first protest was the rodeo, which is probably the most difficult due to hecklers, but even with that I saw how many people supported us and I was able to tell that it made a difference by encouraging some people to think about and question what we were protesting. Since then, I've attended a few of the pet store protests, which have been more personal for me because I grew up in that area and went to that mall many times. The pet store protests always have a ton of positive feedback from people honking their approval as they drive by or even stopping by to speak with us and take photos. I also watched a new documentary, “Pignorant”, which ARC is screening on May 19th. That movie made me realize that, in order to better match my actions to my internal values, I want to become much more active by going to more outreach events, protests, and becoming involved in other ways to help animals. 

What are some of the key issues or areas of concern within the realm of animal rights that you're particularly passionate about?

I'm passionate about sharing with others and helping them to remove the shroud (which many of us had before becoming vegan) by helping connect actions, such as eating animals, with what really happens. I'm also passionate about finding ways to focus on more specific issues where we can make a difference. The pet store protests are a great example of this. I was greatly inspired when I was able to attend the Coon Rapids city council meeting and witness the passing of an ordinance to ban the sale of puppies and kittens in pet stores. This ensures that any pet store in Coon Rapids follows a humane model by only selling supplies, services, and hosting events to adopt from shelters and rescues. I had only participated in one pet store protest by then, but seeing the reward for all the hard work multiple groups put into making this ordinance pass lit a fire within me and showed me how small changes help towards the larger goal. I'm now looking forward to helping these groups more and have already sent an email to my city council to see if we can pass a similar ordinance here.   

Have you visited any animal sanctuaries?  If so, which ones? 

I have had the opportunity to volunteer at SoulSpace and Farmaste. Both give amazing tours which allow you to meet the animals and hear their stories.

What’s your favorite vegan-friendly meal in the Twin Cities?

This is a hard question because we're lucky to have many awesome vegan-friendly restaurants in the Twin Cities, including many great fully vegan ones as well. Reverie has always been a favorite, especially their brunch, but my favorite meal there is the Korean BBQ mock-duck tacos. The burger of the month at Francis is a favorite as well. I had the opportunity to work with one of the owners to cater 40 of their burgers and "chicken" sandwiches to my workplace in January while I gave a Veganuary presentation during lunch. Recently I hosted my first dine-out at Lulu Ethio-Vegan and was amazed at how friendly and passionate the owners are about sharing food with others. As for restaurants that are vegan-friendly, two of my favorites are Wok in the Park and The Block. Truthfully there's no way for me to pick just one meal, but that's a great problem to have!  

How do you like to spend your free time?

When I'm not volunteering I like to get into nature by biking, hiking and kayaking. I also love going on trips to the mountains or to see other cultures such as Japan while finding all the different vegan restaurants along the way.  

What’s something you’re looking forward to this year? 

Last year I became a first-time home owner and am looking forward to experimenting with gardening and starting my own compost. I'm also looking forward to hosting events with friends as well as any opportunities I can find through ARC.  

What advice would you give to someone who is considering volunteering with our organization or with a similar non-profit?

Just give it a try. Start small if needed and look for an event that interests you. There's nothing to lose by just trying but there's so much to miss out on if you don't. What you'll find is a friendly group of people who are passionate, but not pushy, and want to make sure everyone can participate, have their ideas heard, and make sure you are included as part of the group. Volunteering through ARC has been empowering and I've been able to grow in so many ways because of the experiences I've shared with everyone.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to go vegan?

It can seem overwhelming at first. Some people are able to make the switch right away, but most change things gradually and that's fine. It took me over a year to continually make small changes until I was fully vegan diet-wise as well as looking at other products I use and ensuring they are vegan. Start small and experiment with replacing some of the foods you eat with vegan alternatives or check out some of the vegan options at your favorite restaurants. Reach out to groups such as ARC which has the Vegan University program that includes classes on how to shop for vegan-friendly items and other ways to make the switch. Look for ways to meet other vegans who can provide support and advice. Don't beat yourself up over stumbling along the way but instead celebrate the accomplishments you are able to make as you continue your journey. Before becoming vegan I thought that most vegans were preachy and judgmental. While I don't say this as a justification for eating or using animals, the truth is that there is no such thing as a "perfect" vegan. Even harvesting crops causes some harm to animals. Veganism seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, any exploitation, cruelty or use of animals for food, clothing, or other purposes. Almost all vegans I've met understand that we can't eliminate harm 100% but we do our best. Because of this, almost all vegans and everyone I've met since starting my journey have not been judgmental but instead have been happy to see more people striving to live this way and they are happy to provide support and encouragement.