Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Leinen.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Hi. I’m Amy Leinen, the Campaign Manager for the Animal Rights Coalition (ARC). ARC was formed in 1980 by a group of progressive Minnesotans who were part of the social justice movements of the 60s and 70s. They were tired of the lack of progress by the national animal rights organizations and decided to create a coalition of local groups to work together on animal exploitation issues. It was officially incorporated as a non-profit in 1981, with the goal of working on areas of animal exploitation that were not duplicated by other local groups and supporting those groups where possible. The board decided that ARC’s main efforts would focus on animals used in research, animals used in entertainment, and animals used as food, none of which were being addressed by other local organizations.
The Animal Rights Coalition has been instrumental in advocating for animal liberation and has worked tirelessly to end suffering in the name of animals. Its history is a testament to the dedication and activism of its members, who have worked to bring non-human animals to their rightful place on this planet. I’m honored to be a part of this amazing community in Minnesota.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The decision to focus efforts on farmed animals was especially daunting. Although animal agriculture accounts for roughly 95% of all animal suffering, this horrific abuse was largely unknown or ignored by most animal-protection organizations at the time. The Animal Rights Coalition (ARC) was among the first to take on the plight of farmed animals, as noted by Jim Mason—activist, author, and founder of The Animals’ Agenda magazine:
“[No organization] that I can recall had any kind of program dealing with farmed animals. Even some early animal rights activists didn’t know about it, and the few who did didn’t want to tackle it. One prominent activist of the day told me in so many words, ‘Forget about it, it’s a mountain. We should stick to things we can win.’ The Animal Rights Coalition was one of the first to take on that mountain. ARC was at the forefront of activism for farmed animals. [ARC’s] courage was contagious. [Their] first steps for farmed animals encouraged other grassroots activists to tackle the issue.”
Our MNFairWatch campaign, for example, is designed to raise awareness about the cruel realities behind state and county fairs. The primary purpose of the Minnesota State Fair, like that of most state and county fairs, is to promote farming, particularly animal agriculture.
Our goal is to expose the hidden world of animal suffering behind “The Great Minnesota Get-Together.” Currently, our main focus is closing the Miracle of Birth Center. While the Minnesota State Fair claims to provide transparency about animal agricultural practices, what it actually presents is a highly sanitized version of the lives of farmed animals.
Most of the animals displayed at the fair are living out the final days of their lives in crowded, stressful environments. Many people say they attend the fair to see and touch the animals, especially the cute baby animals. But behind that cuteness is a reality of fear, pain, and suffering. From birth to death, farmed animals are denied their natural needs for space, movement, fresh air and sunshine, family bonds, and social interaction. Instead, their lives are shaped by a single driving force: maximizing profit in the production of meat and dairy for human consumption.
By revealing these realities, MNFairWatch also seeks to encourage compassion-based choices. When people learn the truth about how farmed animals live and die, many begin to rethink what is on their plate. We aim to support that reflection by helping people explore plant-based and vegan alternatives that align with their values of kindness, fairness, and respect for animals. I love being able to help people make that connection.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Animal Rights Coalition ?
The Animal Rights Coalition (ARC) began with a simple but powerful idea: concern for animal suffering. That concern grew into action and lasting change for animals. Today, ARC is known for our tireless, creative, and peaceful advocacy on behalf of all animals.
Our mission is to end the suffering, abuse, and exploitation of non-human animals through information, education, and advocacy. We believe animals matter for their own reasons and should not be used by human beings for profit, pleasure, entertainment, or simply out of habit.
ARC works on a wide range of issues affecting animals. From helping people transition to a plant-based diet to exposing the abuse of animals in laboratories, and educating the public about the exploitation of animals used in entertainment, our outreach and education programs reach thousands of people every year.
What truly sets ARC apart is our approach to advocacy. Rather than expecting people to make sweeping life changes after hearing a single message, we focus on building deeper, more meaningful connections. We create opportunities for people not only to learn about animal issues, but also to find support as they process what they discover about how animals are treated in our world. Our Vegan University program offers free mentors, grocery shopping tours, cooking classes, and workshops.
Our goal is to remove as many barriers as possible for people who want to make compassionate choices. It’s not enough for someone to understand why animals deserve better. We also help people discover how to align their actions with their values.
How do you think about happiness?
What brings us the most joy is seeing people connect with compassion for animals and realize they have the power to make a difference. Watching someone move from curiosity to understanding and then to action is incredibly rewarding for our team.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.animalrightscoalition.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animalrightscoalition/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnimalRightsCoalitionMN/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVm72JZ9EKlvWgNPIi03NKw/videos
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@animalrightscoalitionmn
