You've heard the saying that "a picture is worth a thousand words." If this is true, then a video is worth a thousand pictures. This theory couldn't hold truer in the animal rights movement. Few of our not-yet-vegan friends and family would likely accept an invitation for a slaughterhouse tour, even if we could arrange it. But, now, thanks to the FaunaVision van, we can bring the slaughterhouse to them.
This mentality led COK to purchase a Faunette (a portable TV/VCR) in early 1998. Since then, the Faunette has been front-and-center at several COK events each month, exposing the realities of animal exploitation to tens of thousands of people each year. But, the outreach tool isn't without its disadvantages; its relatively small screen requires the Faunette to be used only in very precise settings.
Thanks to a generous donation from FaunaVision, Inc., COK is now the proud owner of the FaunaVision van featured in the documentary, The Witness.
Responses to the FaunaVision have been tremendous. Once or twice each week, the van makes the rounds through high foot-trafficked areas of D.C., showing everyone the horrible atrocities committed by humans against other animals. In one night, activists accompanying the van can easily distribute more than 500 leaflets and engage in countless conversations with passersby who are drawn to the video footage on the van's big-screen TV and the haunting music from the sound system.
Without a doubt, the FaunaVision is the most powerful tool in COK's outreach efforts. By letting the animals speak for themselves by exposing their anguish and misery, the attention is taken off of animal rights activists and placed squarely where it should be: on animal suffering.
Hearing from individuals who learn how their choices directly affect animals and endeavor to alleviate animal suffering is always heart-warming. COK received this letter in early May 2001.
4/29/01
To Whom It May Concern,
I want to tell you of my experience I had with your public demonstration. I want to thank you for opening my eyes to a world I've been so ignorantly unaware of. I am a 20 yr. old college student, originally from Maryland, and I regularly ate meat, until today. I saw your TV screen on M Street, D.C., of the cow hanging upside down w/ its throat cut. Wow. Never before have I been so moved & so deeply disturbed at the same time.
I have never felt so passionate before. Your demonstration touched me in a way that is yes traumatic, but also very realistically helpful. You have changed my life forever. I had no idea these events took place. I had no clue as to how horribly mistreated these animals are. I cried my eyes out that entire night until I was sick to my stomach.
I resent you for putting that image into my head, yet I thank you for opening my ignorant eyes. I suppose you display such harsh images to create an effect. Let me tell you that what you did changed my life forever, and although it was agonizing, it is real & it is very serious. I never realized how bad it really is.
Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you have given me and how you've changed my life. I would like to receive information, but please no more pictures, just facts.
