Violent Riots Prompt PETA To Rush Humane-Education Packs To Cambridge Schools
For Immediate Release:
11 August 2011
Contact:
Sandra Smiley +44 (0)207 357 9229, ext 229; [email protected]
Cambridge – In response to the violent riots that have swept the UK – including in Cambridge, where 30 to 40 young people reportedly clashed with police – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Foundation, a charity committed to ending animal suffering, is contacting local schools to provide young people with tools to make compassionate choices. Their Just Choices humane-education packs can easily be incorporated into the curriculum, and teaches students how their everyday decisions affect others – of different races, religions, gender and species – and inspires them to participate in non-violent civic engagement – a concept that PETA believes could help prevent future outbreaks of violence.
“With violence on the rise, teaching lessons that emphasise respect and social justice is vital”, says PETA spokesperson Sandra Smiley. “The astonishing number of young people rioting on the streets is proof that along with their ABCs young people need to learn compassion.”
Geared towards secondary students, the Just Choices programme is designed to teach respect for all members of the community, from humans to non-humans. As PETA points out in its letter, individuals who show disregard for the feelings of others are often indiscriminate about whom they harm – be it human adults, children or animals.