Two Simple Antispeciesist Elements the Justice Democrats Need to Add to Their Platform

Perhaps you've heard of the Justice Democrats recently. They're a new progressive party gaining incredible popularity through an important central goal: get rid of the corporate side of the Democratic Party and build something that actually stands for the people. Some describe their platform as Bernie Sanders supporters' best chance at continuing their political revolution.

Like so many other supposedly progressive platforms though, the Justice Democrats fail in a key area: they don't even mention nonhumans. If the progressive movement wants to remain relevant a decade from now, it needs to adopt antispeciesism as one of its central messages. After all, how can someone claim to stand for peace, liberation, and social justice while actively supporting institutionalized violence against nonhuman animals?

Now, I understand that those writing the Justice Dems' platform are in a bit of a tight space. While antispeciesism is clearly a progressive value, some of the actions logically linked to antispeciesist politics are not yet popular with the general population. And any party with the goal of reforming congress only two years from now needs to be popular. Very popular.

As a solution, I propose the following: the Justice Democrats include two antispeciesist elements in their platform that will be popular with both antispeciesists and political progressives who have not yet rejected speciesism. In doing so, they can gain the support of one of the fastest growing movements in the world without alienating other potential supporters--a politician's dream. Here is a model for the language they can add to their platform:

Antispeciesism

Nearly everyone is against cruelty to animals. Most people in the United States share their homes with animals and consider them members of the family. However, animal cruelty is deeply embedded in our culture, and often fails to appear on the radar of politicians. We should seek to fight this injustice through progressive reforms throughout the years. Here's where we'll start:

1. End animal testing for cosmetic products

Countless animals are subjected to inhumane tests by major corporations every year. Cleaning products, makeup, shampoo, and toothpaste are routinely tested on animals like rabbits, mice, and even dogs. Animals used in the tests are often blinded, poisoned, or killed. Put bluntly, these tests are cruel and ineffective. They do nothing to advance medicine or science, and they seem especially unnecessary when one considers that animal testing for cosmetics has been banned for years in a number of countries, including Norway, Israel, India, and all members of the European Union. Technology and precedent both support banning animal testing for cosmetics. To allow it to continue would be to allow the US to remain backwards when it comes to animal issues.

2. Support the research and development of cruelty-eliminating technologies

Recognizing the fact that raising and killing animals for food is violent for the animals and devastating for our environment, scientists are racing to develop realistic technology that completely replaces the current system. Scientists are currently developing meat, milk, or eggs grown in labs. By supporting and funding this research, we can greatly accelerate its progress and advance science, animal justice, and the fight against climate change.

If the Justice Democrats wish to succeed, they absolutely must be dedicated to doing better for animals. To do anything less is to risk being left behind by history, and that's not something a platform looking to change our nation can afford. Please contact them to let them know you support antispeciesism--and you're against leaving the animals behind:

team@justicedemocrats.com

https://www.facebook.com/justicedemocrats/

https://twitter.com/justicedems