Generally we post about Los Angeles events, but there’s a few East Coast people out there that read this blog, so this is going out to you folks. The Vegan Collection is happy to support this fundraiser by donating a few items for the raffle. The great organization Open The Cages Alliance (OTCA) is presenting this benefit for the AETA’s Victims legal defense and the Skin Trade documentary.This all day event happening on August 8th from 1 – 9 PM in Washington, DC is hoping to bring awareness of government repression of activists and to educate people about the bloody fur industry. So if you are in the area, stop by and enjoy great vegan food, a root beer keg, great music, activist workshops and informative speakers including Shannon Keith, Will Potter, Darius Fullmer, Camille Hankins and Sean Day. For more information check out Open The Cages Alliance’s website here.

This is a little last notice, but from 12:15 to 1:15 today, Shannon Keith and Peter Young will be giving a presentation on “Animal Liberation and the Law.” You can find all the details below.

When: Tuesday, November 18, 2008. 12:15 – 1:15 p.m.

Where: UCLA School of Law, Room 1347.

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Skin Trade, the movie and message show you that you can change the world right now.

Sunday at The Mint was an event that was stylish, socially-conscious, and just plain fun. The makers of Behind the Mask are back with a movie called Skin Trade, so they previewed the movie trailer at a party/fundraiser, as they helped to educate people about the truth behind the fur industry. ARME and Uncaged Films President and CFO Shannon Keith is Executive Producer, Writer, and Director of this film. Miss Keith said that Skin Trade is an artsy and historic informational documentary, so the movie will educate people about the history of the fur industry and how it is tied to numerous areas of social justice, including slavery, trade, and animal suffering. When asked why this event had a cabaret theme, Miss Keith said “this is a serious issue, but why not make the fundraiser fun.” This is a unique topic and something most people would say they support, but why does fur still sell in stores. Shannon Keith said that the reason why she choose this topic to focus on for this movie is because “it is a winnable issue and something that we all should have figured out already, that is why we made this mainstream movie to get people to stop the fur trade all together.” At a time when big stars have begun to speak out against fur and other stars have felt strong criticism for wearing and selling fur in their clothing lines, it is important that this film is seen.

Here is the link to the Skin Trade website (http://www.skintradethemovie.com/) where they can still use additional funding to finish the film.

I can’t wait to see this film when it is finished.