It may seem strange to be paying attention to something going on in Oregon, but it is important that we do.
It seems our Washington state Legislature likes to play “follow the leader” politically, and they like to follow California and Oregon.
What is happening right now in Oregon is not something we want to follow.
Backers of Initiative Petition 28 (IP28) are currently gathering signatures in Oregon. If they get 117,000 verified signatures by July 2, and it is looking like they might, it will go on the Oregon ballot in November.
Sane people in Oregon are fighting it and trying to educate Oregonians as to the harm it will do. IP28 is masquerading under the pretense of stopping animal cruelty, but that is not what it does.
What is it, really?
A little history — I listened to an interview of David Michelson, who is the leader behind IP28. He talked about when he started experimenting with psychedelics and what a big impact (gee, duh!) that had on his life — he said it was “the most mystical experience” of his life and changed his worldview, making him more naturalistic (whatever that means).
He said this is a social movement for the liberation of animals.
He wants all animals to live freely as our companions on earth with the right to life. He wants them free from slaughter, hunting, experimentation, forced breeding and any other forms of exploitation. He, and IP28’s supporters, would have any of those activities criminalized.
He said the primary goal is to get it on the ballot. In the interview, he actually stated “we don’t tell everything up front. The goal is to get signatures as quickly as possible and get it on the ballot, then draft the legal language. People will learn the long-term effects later.”
He basically admitted to misleading people and then letting them learn the truth after the fact — when it is too late.
He admitted it was a radical movement. The goal is to criminalize killing and breeding of animals. A person would only be able to kill or injure an animal in self-defense. He said they are pushing for the elimination of using animals. Their goal is to end it everywhere, once they are successful in Oregon.
Michelson says making the ballot will be a win for his group known as People for the Elimination of Animal Cruelty Exemptions (PEACE). It may be a win for him, personally, but it will be a disaster for millions.
Oregon agriculture is 30% animal. The passage of IP28 would mean Oregon agriculture would be forced into 100% crops. Hundreds of millions of dollars would no longer be contributed to the economy of Oregon. Thousands of families will go into financial ruin, and small rural towns will become ghost towns.
IP28 will criminalize hunting, fishing, trapping; killing and injury of animals for food, education and research purposes; wildlife management practices; and even trapping mice and vermin.
It will classify breeding practices to include domestic pets, livestock and equines as sexual assault. It will change Oregon into a “no kill or harm” sanctuary state. It will force Oregonians into a vegan lifestyle or to become totally dependent on the national food network. All animal protein (meat, fish, seafood, eggs, dairy) will have to be imported from out of state. Food will be more costly and less healthy.
Who will be personally impacted? Farmers and ranchers, hunters and fishermen, restaurants, homeowners and rural residents, recreational sports (racing, dog shows, horse shows, kids’ fishing derbies, etc.), anyone living in a coastal or rural community, tribal cultural practitioners, pet owners, animal breeders (dog, cat, horse, bird, etc.), animal trainers, pest control professionals, wildlife management operations, even rescue facilities.
The list goes on. It is extensive — and includes everyone who eats animal proteins.
Oregonians will become criminals if they have a couple chickens in their backyard for fresh eggs, if they trap a mouse that gets into their home, if they have a gold fish or parrot — maybe even a service animal?
Worried yet? You should be. If this thing becomes law, it will change things as we have known them for centuries. It will change our lifestyle. It will impact our health. If you have friends or family in Oregon, warn them. Tell them not to sign petitions for IP28. If it makes it onto their November ballot, tell them to vote no — do not be fooled by a misleading title and evasive wording in voter pamphlets.
And keep a watch out for it in future years. This is not their first attempt to outlaw owning animals.
Please do not let it pass in Oregon.
And if somehow it does, we need to be alert and ready to defeat it in Washington.
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Maureen Harkcom grew up on a Lewis County dairy and operated a beef and native hay operation and developed an equine competition facility. She can be reached by email at maureen.harkcom@gmail.com.
