Honoring Animal Sentience - France’s L214 Co-Founder, Brigitte Gothiere (vegan), Part 4 of 4

On today’s program, Brigitte begins by sharing the future plans of the Association. “We will continue to show what happens to animals, in a very concrete way, so people truly realize the misery we cause to animals by consuming animal products.”

In July 2020, L214, along with several other organizations and business leaders, jointly launched a “Referendum for Animals,” the first such initiative in the nation’s history. The referendum calls for sweeping changes in France, including a national ban on fur farming, wild animal shows, and intensive factory farms. “So, with other organizations, but above all, under the impetus of three major French business leaders who are worth billions (of Euros), we launched the Referendum for Animals, thanks to a journalist named Hugo Clément, who is strongly committed to environmental and animal issues.”

Although based in France, the L214 Association wants to see a global shift in the treatment of animals. As such, it works closely with many other organizations. “On the international side, we are working with a lot of international associations. We are members of coalitions, like Open Wing Alliance for example. And we are absolutely ready to exchange with all the organizations in the world.”

At the conclusion of the interview, Brigitte shared her dream for the future. “The dream would be to finally be in a world where animals are no longer considered as a resource but really as co-inhabitants, and to finally be able to enjoy life, because we would have succeeded in making sure that no longer is any sentient being in distress without us being able to come to their aid, and we no longer cause distress to other animals, for example.” As Supreme Master Ching Hai urged in the “Urgent Message to World Leaders,” not only should there be laws like L214 in France and every country, but also the laws need to be enforced and followed through. “DO THE VEGAN LAW, DO SIGN IT. Do practice it, do follow through. Do be vegan. THAT’S THE RIGHT THING and that’s all you have to do. Everything else will fall into place.”