One of the perks of living in the Reading area is the accessibility to several metropolitan areas that allow us to become more involved in the fight for animals. AAGR finds it important to network with larger (and smaller) groups in other areas to accomplish more.
Two important events are happening in Philadelphia this weekend, and we encourage all who are interested to attend.
Although it may not seem to be a directly related event, the First Annual Philadelphia Anarchist Book Fair on Saturday, August 23rd, will provide a unique venue to network with a variety of other activists. In addition, the speakers will cover topics related to our work, such as coalition building and protest tactics. Vendors, speakers, and location information can be found on the event’s website.
On Sunday, August 24th, Direct Action Everywhere‘s East Coast Tour will stop in Philadelphia for a day of education, followed by a direct action. The event, What if everything we know about social change… is wrong?, takes place at the A-Space Community Center in Philadelphia, and will be followed by an action against Chipotle.
Here is a summary from DXE’s website:
What if everything we think we know about social change… is wrong?
The growth of the Arab Spring, global LGBTQ rights, and the animal rights movement in notable countries around the world (which have, in some cases, seen up to 15% vegetarian surges in a single year) are powerful examples of sudden and systemic change. Can we achieve the same incredible mobilizations for progressive causes in the US?
Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) co-founders Wayne Hsiung (former behavioral law and economics scholar and long-time social justice activist) and Ronnie Rose (cinema expert and student of critical theory) are taking to the East Coast to answer that question.
Based on the pioneering work of the greatest thinkers in sociology, political science, economics, and psychology, their talk has already triggered incredible buzz out West, including at the national animal rights conference in LA. It just might upend your views on social change. Topics include:
- the essential elements of successful social movements;
- how the conventional wisdom in environmentalism, animal advocacy, and other progressive causes has fallen short (e.g. focus on individuals over systems, neglect of ideas, and fear of being unpopular);
- what Justin Bieber can teach us about social change (seriously);
and
- what DxE has learned from successful movements to create empowered activist networks… and push toward real and permanent change
Whether you are a leafleter, an admirer of the ELF, or both, there will be much to learn and discuss. Moreover, there will be insights useful for both seasoned activists and newcomers. Please join us in thinking hard about how to make a better world!
Animal Action of Greater Reading, PA 
Thank you so much!