Cows Rise Up!

Bovines Across the Nation Unite in Call for Access to Organic Pasture, Eradication of Synthetic Hormones and a Better Day for Bovine Sisters at CowsUnite.org

"The Resistance, My Sisters, Begins Now," Spokescow Proclaims

MANMOUTH, Ore. -- Cows Have the Right to Be Cows. Cows Have the Right to Graze. Cows Have the Right to Clean Air. Cows Have the Right to Dignity and Joy.

These are just a few of the rights cows nationwide are presenting as part of their agreed-upon "Bovine Bill of Rights" - a historic document found at www.cowsunite.org that is the centerpiece of "Cows Unite," a movement unveiling afoot in which a strong affiliation of cows in pastures coast-to-coast have created to help humans understand the importance of organic dairy, decent treatment for cows and the critical role of family farmers.

Officially launching today, www.cowsunite.org will serve as the hub for all Cows Unite materials, gatherings, calls to action and activities. Currently, visitors can download the Bovine Bill of Rights, view two short films capturing the resistance in action and learn how they can become more involved.

In what began in recent years as a small but spreading murmuring among cows living on organic farms who were concerned about their sister bovines--coping with the effects of confinement, antibiotics, synthetic hormones and pesticides--Cows Unite has evolved in to a large-scale initiative to create change. "That change can only come from the support of conscientious milk-drinkers, and that's why we've gone to mass media with our message," said one spokescow who asked to be referred to only as "Bessy".

Cows Unite already has received support from a number of leaders in the sustainable food movement, including Organic Valley, Beyond Pesticides, Bioneers, Farm Aid, and Ecotrust. "We are most pleased with the support that our movement has received, since going public," said the spokescow. "Our sponsors provide powerful links to the humans needed to make our dream a reality."

To help the uprising rise higher, humans who get three others to sign up for the movement receive a variety of revolutionary cow paraphernalia, including a Cow Manifesto and Holstein patterned "support ribbon" magnet demanding support for cows. Those who encourage even more people to sign up have an opportunity to win a year's supply of Organic Valley milk, an all expenses paid family weekend visit to an organic dairy farm, and more. Full details of activities are made available on www.cowsunite.org for humans sympathetic to the cause.

"Stay tuned to www.cowsunite.org for more information," said the spokescow for Cows Unite, who wished not to have her identity disclosed. "It is time for action. It is time for organization. It is time to finally air our beefs about the way our bovine sisters are treated, about the air we breathe, the grass we eat and the milk we produce.

"The resistance, my Sisters, begins now."