Brian is an amazing advocate for animals! He tables at local shows to talk to people about our KFC and "I Am Not a Nugget" campaigns, loves cooking vegan food, and always has a great time while helping those without a voice.
Name: Brian Lockard
Age: 16
Hometown: Southlake, Texas
What made you decide to become active for animals?
A little over two years ago, I went to an Alkaline Trio/Against Me! concert. While I was waiting outside, someone who worked for peta2 talked to me about KFC and vegetarianism. I read up on it and started getting involved with peta2. I watched the videos and read literature and realized that meat sucks and there is no excuse to eat it. First, I dropped meat, and then I gradually dropped everything else. It was the best decision ever!
How long have you been vegetarian/vegan?
I was vegetarian for about a year and then made the change to going vegan, which was surprisingly easy. I thought being vegan would be a lot harder than being vegetarian, but I was completely wrong.
Is your family supportive of your animal rights beliefs?
My mom is very supportive—I have even gotten her not to eat meat as often as she used to and not to buy any fur products. My dad supports me as well. He loves the fact that I am standing up for something that I believe in, even if the majority of people I live around do not agree with me.
Do you live with any companion animals?
I have a Shetland sheepdog named Dixie. She is probably one of the raddest dogs you will ever encounter, even though she is neurotic and is never still.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I go to shows, play basketball and the drums, cook, and go to local protests. I also love tabling with peta2 when they are in town. Other than all that, I enjoy just being with my family and friends. I will also go out of my way to talk to whomever I can about animal rights.
What's your favorite peta2 band?
My favorite peta2 band is definitely Alkaline Trio. I have loved those guys since the first time I heard them and have listened to them religiously since. It was also at their show that I was first introduced to peta2 and the animal rights world.
You've tabled for peta2 quite a few times—tell us what the experience is like.
Tabling with peta2 is one of my favorite things to do. Not only is it fun to open people's eyes to animal rights, all the people I have met along the way have been way cool too. Every time I table at shows with peta2 I always learn new things and have a great time. It is also really cool when bands come to the tent to see what's going on and sign autographs. I recommend that every Street Teamer give tabling a shot. Whether it is with peta2 or your friends, you are sure to have a rad time. The sense of accomplishment and the fun times that come with tabling is great. Get out there and give it a shot!
What is your favorite peta2 campaign, and why?
My favorite peta2 campaign is definitely the "I Am Not a Nugget" campaign. It is ridiculous that chickens are not protected under the Humane Slaughter Act. Seeing that there are 9 billion chickens killed each year, to me it would only make sense that they were included in the Humane Slaughter Act. That is a campaign that I am strongly involved in.
How many Oreos do you think you could eat in one sitting?
I have eaten about half a box before. But that was after a bowl of So Delicious soy ice cream. I bet if I hadn't eaten that bowl I could have done a little more damage.
What's your message to the rest of the peta2 Street Team?
Get involved! The abuse that animals face in today's society is absurd, and it is up to us to speak up for them! Not only is going out and trying to improve the lives of animals a very noble cause, it is fun and self-rewarding as well. It is also extremely easy. You can do things as simple as putting banners or videos on your MySpace/Facebook to things as big as organizing protests and going out to table shows (notice I said "big" and not "complicated"). Other ways of spreading the word include wearing an animal rights T-shirt or just talking to someone about it.
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