Press Release 1/11/02. The Vegan Society announces three
new honorary patrons.

At the 2002 Annual General Meeting of the Vegan Society (26
October) three new patrons were appointed; drawn from an
interesting mix of grass roots campaigning, politics and
entertainment. "All three new patrons are fearless campaigners
for animals, people and the environment – the three pillars of the
Vegan Society's mission statement." said a delighted Vegan
Society today

Moby - Musician
Born Richard Melville Hall, he was renamed Moby after his
famous ancestor's book. Despite disappointment with his
album "Animal Rights" which `tanked', Moby's passion for music
led him to success with sales of over 10 million copies of his
album "Play". It went platinum in over 25 countries. "Play" has
an essay about veganism and Moby allowed free use of the
music for the Vegan Society Video "Truth or Dairy". Moby is never
slow to point out the benefits of veganism and, with his friend
Kelly, has opened a veggie/vegan café in New York called
TeaNY. When asked about becoming patron he said "I have
been a vegan for 16 years now. Being a vegan is a very central
part of how I live my life and how I hope that others would
someday live their lives, as well. I would be honoured to be a
member and patron of The Vegan Society, and somehow
encourage veganism around the world."

Kathleen Jannaway - Campaigner
Now 87, Mrs Jannaway - a Quaker and science teacher - joined
The Vegan Society in 1964. She became honorary general
secretary of The Vegan Society in 1971 and over the next 13
years worked tirelessly to produce a variety of educational vegan
pamphlets and leaflets and a slot for the Society on the BBC2
programme "Open Door". When this was broadcast in 1976 it
led to a record number of 5,000 responses from people eager to
find out more about a compassionate vegan lifestyle. Her most
successful leaflet was "First Hand – First Rate" which
highlighted the logic of eating as low down the food chain as
possible. In 1984 she moved on to found the Movement for
Compassionate Living (MCL). She continues to this day to
campaign for a compassionate and ecological lifestyle.

Maneka Gandhi - Politician
Widowed in her early twenties when her husband was killed in
an air crash, Mrs Gandhi raised her young son on a vegan diet
despite hostility from mother-in-law Indira Gandhi and the Nehru
clan. Sacked more than once from ministerial office for
speaking out against cruelty, injustice and corruption wherever
she finds it, Maneka is doing for the animals of India what
Mahatma Gandhi did for the people. Her organisation People for
Animals is known throughout India and beyond, as are her many
publications. She also chairs Rugmark, which provides care
and education for children rescued from forced labour in the
carpet industry. Her arguments against environmental
destruction through the raising of animals for food are
compelling: in Bristol last month she illustrated vividly how
animal exploitation leads inexorably to deforestation, drought,
famine and ultimately war, demonstrating the truth of Tolstoy's
maxim that "so long as there are slaughterhouses there will
always be battlefields."

Her appointment as a patron of the Vegan Society will make it
clear to the Hindu community in the UK who are concerned
about the cruelty of the Western dairy industry that veganism is
the answer and that they are more than welcome within the
Society as members and supporters.

CONTACTS:

Tony Weston, UK Vegan Week Coordinator -
media@...
Tel 01424 448828
Fax: 01424 717064
Mobile 0794 4068432

EDITORS NOTES:

World Vegan Day 1st November celebrates the invention of the
word "vegan" and the formation of the Vegan Society in
November 1944 by Donald Watson. UK Vegan Week 27 Oct – 3
Nov.

For more information see:
www.vegansociety.com
www.worldveganday.com
www.goaspca.com/frmaneka.htm
www.Moby.com

Other ideas for World Vegan Day

<sum> 50 ideas for sandwiches everyone can enjoy.
<sum> 10 ideas for a Vegan Bonfire "Barbie-Que" from Cindy Jackson
(Barbie)
<sum> Osteoporosis? Beware the advice of nincompoops.
<sum> Survey shows caterers need to do better see
www.worldveganday.org
<sum> A message from Moby for World Vegan Day.
<sum> Range of new products launched for UK Vegan week – reader
offers available.
<sum> A new vegan authentication scheme for caterers.
<sum> A new vegan shopping guide "The Animal Free Shopper"


The Vegan Society Donald Watson House 7 Battle Road St.
Leonards on Sea East Sussex TN37 7AA UK Tel: 0845 45
88244 Fax: 01424 717064 www.vegansociety.com

Registered Charity No. 279228 Company Registration No.
1468880

The Vegan Society promotes ways of living free from animal
products – for the benefit of people, animals and the
environment.