Speech by George Guimarães in the Legislative Assembly of the State of São Paulo in 22 November 2012 on the occasion of “Public Policy Seminar, Rights and Defense of Animals”. Among the 200 present, federal and state and several cities councilors Paulistas.

Learn more about accessing the NGO VEDDAS www.veddas.org.br

 

The video of the lecture can be watched at the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dl82lTWkMjk

Below is the transcript of the speech.

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Good night to all! I thank the Members and Fernando Ricardo Izar Capez the invitation to compose this table during the Seminar of Public Policy for Animals to be held here today at the Legislative Assembly of the State of São Paulo. I also thank the members of the audience who came here today to participate in this important space that was open to the subject in that house laws.

 

Rounding out the apologies and thanks, I anticipate that the speech will be little minha policy, but that might have been expected since I'm not a politician but an activist. A dose of politics is welcome for the work of activist, but the less that I needed, I thank you more.

 

I advance also that my speech will be more critical than propositional, but it is a provocation. Provocation in order to build a movement more active and purposeful, including in respect of charges for public policies in favor of those who are the reason for our action. The construction of a critical and intentional movement must precede recovery by the creation or implementation of public policies. Those who caused sentirem up, thank. Thank you for including it along with feel compelled to dislike me as a result of provocation. My goal this time (and also generally) is not being liked by peers because of, but provoke them.

 

It turns out that, happily, Members, I'm lucky enough to not need the vote of the motion to continue doing what I do for more 4 years. And so I am happy for the sake of military power without necessarily having to please those who fight by my side. My focus is not the people who are with me in this fight, but the animals and the conquest of social justice they are due.

 

In these 10 minutes that I HAVE to talk, I was asked to talk about the activities of VEDDAS and public policy for animals. I will be brief in the first part, about VEDDAS, only to situate those who may not know the NGO, and devote most of this short time to talk about my perception of the absence of public policies for animals.

 

The VEDDAS is a NGO for animal rights oriented abolitionist, in other words, not accept an "improvement" in the animals receiving treatment during their operation, accept the end of this operation as the only plausible measure.

 

We are acting for 6 years in the city of São Paulo and this semester we started to work in other cities in Brazil: Christmas, Recife and Sorocaba. Together, we are in the streets 7 times per week with fixed designs direct contact with the public, such as VEDDAS-mobile and VEDDAS-CARTE, which are multimedia devices that lead to the city streets awareness through videos displayed on public roads, playing precisely those who otherwise probably would not have had the opportunity of discovery on the issue of animal exploitation. We have 3 multimedia units in operation in the city of São Paulo and more 3 units in other cities.

 

Besides the ongoing projects, also perform actions such as sporadic protests, interventions, seminars and workshops. Only in 2011 were 120 actions and 2012, more cities, we should get closer to 300 actions performed in a single year. All this is possible thanks to the commitment of our volunteers and the support of businesses and individuals without whom our work would not be possible.

 

Moreover, I want to take this space to make a noble public thanks to activists who VEDDAS weekly the streets are planting seeds of consciousness in favor of animal rights. Not apena without São Paulo, but also in Natal, Recife and Sorocaba, counting hundreds of activists who leave the comfort of your home and devote a substantial part of their leisure time and rest to be on the streets in contact with the public. To get an idea, We next 30 days we will 50 activities, which is almost two activities per day. All of them in direct face-to-face with the public. It is thanks to these brave and brave activists who can accomplish both. Some of them do it continuously for more than 4 years and are sitting in this audience today, so they know if they want to show their appreciation for their work with their applause.

 

And that these applauses are also extended to the many other dedicated activists who are the Brazil and the world.

 

In the training workshops we minister to volunteers VEDDAS, I always point out that there are three easily identifiable stages in the development of a social movement: warning stages are, discussion and reform. The understanding of these three phases is essential in order to understand where we are as a movement and for each issue being addressed by our campaigns.

 

The alert stage is one where the audience completely ignores the question and it is our duty to make it become known. At this stage protests are efficient, hunger strikes or any action that generates attention on the topic.

 

In the discussion stage, the population is already willing to deepen the discussion on the topic. The production of information is the main tool in this stage. Unlike the alert stage where we find mostly indifference, the discussion stage found strength of our opponents.

 

Already at the stage of reform, have the consent of the public, that accepts the need for behavior change to address the problem now perceived as such, but the public does not always act in accordance with such perception. Here, and only here, that are viable public policies.

 

What I want to point out here is that the role of the state, do legislator, only begins when the matter is brought to this third stage. And it is not their responsibility to make it reach the stage of discussion. That responsibility lies with civil society groups that purport to warn society and to stimulate discussion about the perceived problem. Working reform is just the natural way. It is not the beginning and end of the path.

 

Which leads me to reflect on the essence of the weakness that we find in our movement. We must put on the parliamentary responsibility for solving the problems we perceive? What should be our role, plus charge them? We have fulfilled this role? More than that, can we really expect them responsibility and attitude necessary to meet our demand? We know what we want, many of us have our goals clear in this fight. But when we pass this responsibility to lawmakers, skipping steps, as if everything could be solved at the stage of reform, with what we can actually count?... How many parliamentarians to represent the animals we have abolished their lifestyle consumption of animal products? I would say give it to count on the fingers a hand.

 

Even among parliamentarians committed, the challenges they face in order to bring forth issues as we defend are many. And what is our responsibility for this difficulty they face? It is mainly terms skipped the previous steps, in other words, we have not created the necessary mobilization (warning Estágio), not have promoted awareness that makes generating demand based on the civil society movement beyond, as a whole.

 

I see good initiatives. But they are few. And when they go forth in the form of laws, they suffer in their implementation by the government. Or take years, many more years than they should take, for approval.

 

The bill prohibits the use of animals in circuses is the result of over a decade of struggle. Makes 4 years, 4 Deputies years, I went to Brasilia carrying 100 thousand signatures calling for ending the use of animals in circuses. It was the vote of the commission of education and culture. With pressure on both sides, left victorious. The bill was approved unanimously this would be the last commission to be voted, and also the most critical. Now only miss the vote in plenary of the House. While Congress was busy these past 4 years in approving the infamous Law Arouca that legitimizes animal testing throughout the national territory, which also fought through protests in several cities, collecting signatures, visit to Brasilia, while the Congress busied raping the then Forest Code on behalf of agribusiness, Now it should be more appropriately called "Code Ruralista", while engaged in taking over some of the rights of indigenous peoples, among many other atrocities, still waiting for the bill banning the use of animals in circuses is put to a vote in the plenary of the House of Representatives. No more discussion to be made, and the industry lobby of circuses is not strong. We were in Brasilia 04 October last year at the launch of the Congressional Animal Rights, promoted by Mr, where the Mayor, Marco Maia, assured us that the PL put on the agenda as soon as possible. It has been 14 months. Meanwhile, animals in circuses, who have demonstrated the solidarity of the population, that has documented the repudiation of the Members who participated in the committees in Congress, who have years of history fighting entities animal advocacy, these animals are still being exploited daily, living miserable lives and slaves, having as their only allies practical insanity, What is left to them as closer to an escape from their condition of life almost. Even with all the support of society, still lack one vote to end their misery. Even with so many commitments in Brasilia, still lack one vote. After a decade of fighting and conquering other votes, there 4 years we, they, await this vote.

 

Where is that both make mistakes so that such a situation is passively accepted as "part" of the political process?

 

Last year, twice, we were surprised by the inclusion in the agenda of the bill that seeks to decriminalize the mistreatment committed against pets. Hastily, and with few resources and partnerships that the movement has, managed to get this vote was removed from the agenda. The only legal protection that domestic animals have, Article 32 Law 9.605, and affects industries such as rodeos and other activities barbarian have no place in the twenty-first century, this protection is threatened every day that dawns. Having lived the surprise inclusion in the PL this agenda and making arrangements so that necessary, More than a year after, not a day goes by that I worry about the possibility that surprise could happen again that day.

 

Where we went wrong so that an achievement of decades of struggle and still comes so late, may be threatened by our parliamentarians so simply?

 

I have some hypotheses for this. We, animal rights advocates, look at the scenery and realized the problem. It is clear to our eyes. But will err to expect that public policies are created and, Most importantly, put into practice, accepted by society, based solely on the simple detection of the problem? I understand that yes, err. Err to expect that the population sees, without much effort, the same as we enxergamos. What I mean is that we need, before anything else, to open the eyes of a significant portion of the population. We need to act in awareness, break paradigms, create, dare, achieving society, but especially, achieve ourselves.

 

We need to discern the real from those activists who lend the word "activist" as a surname in their digital profiles, to be considered as an activist must do more than organize a picnic for month, a protest by year, or to bluster about "what would be". This is one of the main misperceptions that plague our movement.

 

Understand, Who is "minimal", who does "when you can" or "when I can", is not an activist, but what I call a "hobbyist", it is one that has the activism as a hobby, or as a drug to relieve themselves with the feeling of "doing something". Are "activists" to feel better about themselves and not to cause changes.

 

Thus, they have left? Claim. Claim society and, of course, two legislators. Especially legislators. Charge the immediate implementation of public policies that put a definitive end to the problem. Without bothering to educate, create, outreach, having to exercise some form of political lobbying, whether directly or as a result of work on the streets. Much less give themselves the trouble to mobilize civil society to give the size and visibility due to the problem that see. None of this. The problem is there and if someone has to do something, someone that they are, politicians.

 

Where did it go so wrong for coming to an understanding of society where politicians are those who earn to solve problems while other members of society gain in order to exercise the role of consumers? Limited to the role of distracting yourself buying a bigger TV and sitting comfortably on the couch to get your daily dose of alienation television. When did we lose altogether the notion of social mobilization, social revolution if necessary? Of do, for ourselves, what is not being done in response to our collections?

 

It is clear that there is something wrong in this perception about the roles of each member of society.

 

With all due respect MPs, and I know you will agree with me because they understand where I'm going with this reasoning, but the company is not in the Legislature, is not in City Hall and is not in Congress. It is in each of us, and we are heard, need act. Some may sensitize some hundreds thousands, which in turn may sensitize million. And with a few million, we can begin to talk as equals with 400 who are in Brasilia or the 94 occupying this house.

 

As you can see, yes, I see serious errors in the design and conduct of public policy in favor of the environment and animals. But I do not blame lawmakers for these errors, because we have failed as activists and civil society organizations.

 

But not to say do not blame at least in part , I cite as an example the rural stands, an agenda that has very clear and serving the interests of the few as it affects life (and especially death) many human and nonhuman animals. But again, they are only there for a few ruling because many have put them there. Again, failed as a society. Failed to mobilize, in educating, in providing an example. The error part of our lack of mobilization and social action, which to me is clearly related to our lack of will and courage for us to change the situation.

 

Nevertheless, few do. Because they are few and relatively isolated work, successful when they become targets or martyrs. Because their work, even before the apparent "lack of preparation" of society and despite the unwillingness of other, can cause uncomfortable enough, taking on work that should be being done by many. They know for certain that the time to act is now.

 

But those who remain attached to the couch, or convenience of leaving it only to the extent that it does not bother enough to the point where they are putting their safety at risk, not lend themselves to sacrifice their leisure time or family, without jeopardizing your job or career, these are those who argue that public policies are the only solution.

 

Are needed rather, parliamentarians with qualities of courage and commitment to the cause, yet, they just implement the demands created by society. Before we want to set our demands, we need to define some of our needs. I am not referring to a list of needs for material resources. I mean we need to "be" before we want to see our desires met by those that sign the public policy in favor of animals.

 

But yes I have a list.

 

1) We need to become activists. More than activists, we need to make a move, a movement actually. No need to make a move only. This is not only utopian, but it is unrealistic and to speak the truth, is completely unnecessary. We need to be a movement that is diverse in their strategies, complex in its integration, while clear in your goals and demands. What is not different than any other social justice movement. Although many who work in this movement not realizing it, Us, or should be, a movement for social justice, not much different from other movements that we can easily recognize as such.

 

2) We need less activist social networking and more activists street. Be in what was for, movements are born, grow and reproduce in the streets. And there die by the time they reach their goals, when no longer needed. There is a phenomenon peculiar movements of the digital age! What is a phenomenon of confusion about what is a movement, confusion prevailing in the digital age.

 

3) We need those who wear t-shirts ALF in a show of support no longer support the ALF… yes, no longer support the ALF and become the ALF own. They cease to wonder who is doing well for himself needed to be. I often see events related to animal rights parade of shirts in support of direct action (yes, declare themselves sympathetic to the direct action is sexy… and works, I myself have been able to prove this often). But while I see hundreds of people wearing T-shirts supporting, not to mention the thousands of images containing the acronym in albums on social networks, realize only five, this same, FIVE actions of ALF in Brazil in the last decade. Eliminating the allegations of actions that are only jokes and considering the fact that they can be classified as an action of ALF by following its precepts, We can count the number of actions in a single hand. And when considering such actions, even have occurred in different states, is plausible to suggest that they take advantage of the same cell, in other words, the same group of subjects, or at least one of the individuals having common. Which leads me to conclude that we have too many supporters for actions less. So I say: cease to morally support the actions in which they believe and become the action itself.

 

4) Continuing our list of needs: vegans need less and more activists. If I was not clear, emphasized: being vegan is not about being an activist. Being vegan is nothing more than doing the minimum necessary. To facilitate understanding, I like this analogy: it is as minimal as expected that the husband does not harm his wife physically. There is no merit to have complied with this basic premise does not hurt. This is only expected. Being vegan is not the premise of respecting harm, nothing more than that. So feel disappointed who is just vegan, but you are not activists simply for being vegan. Vegan may not be part of the problem, but is not necessarily part of the solution. If you want to see the situation change for animals, have to do more than not cause the problem. You will have to act, become an activist. No one is bound to be an activist, but do not go beating his chest saying that the animal does something just because it's vegan. You just do not do something against animals, which is quite different from doing something favor animals. There is vegan movement. Yes there are clubs vegans, vegan circles, Vegans niche. But that makes you a specialist consumer and not part of any movement. Nothing causes me more nauseous within the movement than to note that there are those who say an activist for the cause, and when we look, we see only a speech totally focused on creating market, generate market, expand market, gain rights as "vegetarian". Reduce the animal rights movement to a movement by "rights of vegetarians". Inversion higher, impossible. That's why I say we need less vegan activists and more, because one thing is not necessarily related to the other.

 

5) Those who allegedly militate for animal cause (be dealing directly with animals in need, What is an activity worthy of my deepest appreciation, is educating the public on the streets or running bills within the legislative houses) and still could not let go of the products that are the major cause of exploration billion sentient animals each year on this planet, I can only ask you to wake up and find the meaning of the word consistency. I guarantee that when you have taken this step not only feel more complete but also realize that it was not as difficult as might think.

 

I am doing this challenge to you to understand that, when you complain of public policies, or attitude of society towards animals, the situation does not change because "the situation" is waiting you change. And that comes before doing something to change it. First we change ourselves and only then work to change others. Again: not part of the problem, is not necessarily part of the solution.

 

 

Yes we can collect, from já, what we have managed to build up here.

My considerations were made from the realization that our movement is directed to act in the legislative phase (or stage of reform) when there are still many issues that need to be developed in phases necessarily precede that, What are the stages of alert and discussion. With this, society deeply for us to play and so we can collect from houses such changes that we see as being necessary, we must first change as individuals, as activists and as a movement.

 

I thank you for listening.

 

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Speech by George Guimarães, activist and president of NGO VEDDAS, in 22 November 2012 in the Legislative Assembly of the State of São Paulo in 22 November 2012 during the seminar "Public Policies, Rights and Defense of Animals”. Among the 200 present, federal and state and several cities councilors Paulistas.

 

The video of the lecture can be watched at the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dl82lTWkMjk