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 One of the most active movements of our time is the animal protection movement. Interestingly enough, Dr. King's mentor in nonviolent action, Mohandas Gandhi, was an animal advocate and vegetarian, and Dr. King's widow, Coretta Scott King, and son, Dexter Scott King, eat an animal-friendly vegan diet. Those who promote nonviolence and social justice realize that the compassionate treatment of animals is part of the equation. Furthermore, like Dr. King and the civil rights movement, the animal protection movement has successfully used boycotts to change industry practices. In the 1980s, there were fewer than 50 "cruelty-free" companies-those that do not test products on animals. But today, because people used their power as consumers to boycott companies that tested on animals, many companies, including Avon, Revlon, and Estée Lauder, have stopped conducting tests on animals. Now, more than 550 companies are cruelty-free! The animal protection movement also successfully lobbied the European Union to phase out the inaccurate, outdated, and painful animal testing of cosmetics and household products. Hopefully, America will follow the E.U.'s compassionate lead, but to make it happen, caring people must use their power as consumers and citizens to influence businesses and government. Discussion Question: Can you think of other businesses or products that are boycotted by people involved in the animal protection movement? Answers may include the following:
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