Show Hundreds gather to celebrate Joseph W W. Bateman Contributing Writer On Saturday April 22 Library Square in downtown Salt Lake City was was trans trans- formed The sound of bands playing the aroma from grills and the festival atmosphere were vast departures from the silence generally observed at a library Families skateboarders and hundreds of others from all walks of life filled Library Square to celebrate the third annual Fest The festival festival festival festi festi- val was organized by University of Utah's Student Organization for Animal Rights to promote vegetarianism vegetarian vegetarian- ism and better nutrition while providing a good time for the community I dont don't know why youre you're all here Its It's too hot I wouldn't be here if I didn't have to be here said guitarist and vocalist Chris Jex lex of local indie rock band Inc mera Despite the heat and the unforgiving sun hundreds of people were undeterred and continued to file into Library Square for the days day's events Leici Hendrix coordinator co-coordinator and recent University of Utah graduate believes that vegetarianism vegetarianism vegetarianism is healthy not only for humans but for the planet as well dJ n sm m Basically we are out here hereto to promote vegetarianism and as the best thing to todo todo todo do for the Earth said Hendrix in describing aligning with Earth Day A vegan is a person that chooses not to eat anything that comes from an animal This means no dairy eggs or meat Along with not eating animals choose not to wear any animal products such as leather According to a person chooses to go vegan to save animals from slaughter and for the numerous health ben ben- Along with the ethical and health reasons reasons reasons rea rea- sons the also details the environmental tal benefits of a vegan diet Raising animals for food is one of the leading causes of pollution and resource depletion depletion depletion tion today Vegetarian eating helps protect the natural environment environment environment reads the which is a project of Compassion Over Killing COK is a national nonprofit group working to advocate for fora a vegan diet Along with another er local band Vile Blue Shades rocked the plaza Featuring three drummers three guitarists as well as key key- the fifteen piece un tm 1 11 rd a w I ono O band provided the soundtrack for people to dance and browse the numerous tables of local organizations such as Ching Farm Rescue and Sanctuary that provides a long life-long home and care to abandoned farm animals The lull y r. r between the local bands was filled with notable speakers and workshops Mayor Rocky Anderson gave the introductory ry remarks Pro skater and vegan Charlie Thomas delivered delivered delivered ered two skate clinics on the rails and jumps set throughout the square After the clinics the gathered skateboarders took turns sliding the rails as another er skater filmed With all the events going on the focus wasn't lost on the thein in n fl vr n NCI's 0 I gathered participants I volunteered to be involved in the community I also support getting people to look into vegetarianism said student and volunteer volunteer volunteer vol vol- Hannah Harris Hams Harris also donated her art for the silent auction Along with Harris' Harris art the silent auction featured items such as full tuition to Paul Green School of Rock passes to the Utah Arts Festival and an autographed autographed autographed auto auto- graphed guitar from rock punk-rock band Goldfinger I While the silent auction was underway Kenneth Williams another notable speaker and professional body bodybuilder bodybuilder bodybuilder builder addressed the gathered crowd In 2004 Williams shocked the sports world and made history by placing third out of the gathered participants representing representing representing 36 countries in the Natural Olympia bodybuilding competition The fact that stunned the body builder world was that Williams competed while adhering to a strict all- all vegan diet In addition to his finish at Natural Olympia Williams competed and placed in several other notable bodybuilding bodybuilding bodybuilding body body- building events such as Silver and Black Muscle Classic the Team USA contest and the World Natural Bodybuilding Championships All the death from all the world wars wont won't surpasses the deaths attributed to heart disease disease disease dis dis- dis- dis ease which is caused by eating animal products said Williams who can squat between and Ibs lbs Go vegan and nobody gets hurt As the afternoon grew into night the festival moved inside for the final speech author and nutritional expert Dr Joel Fuhrman gave a speech entitled Disease Proof Your Child Protecting Our Childrens Children's Future The events event's keynote speaker gave tips on how to make nutritionally sound choices for themselves and t their family members f These tips are also highlighted in Furmans Furman's newly released book Disease Proof Your Child Feeding Kids Right With 2006 coming to toa toa a close the days day's theme was echoed by University of Utah student and SOAR member I Jason Hardy The best choice for the environment is to go vegan said Hardy |