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   Some of the positive reactions those who’ve taken the pledge have received.

   “From my cousin: ‘I’m doing soup and buns for lunch and then vegan shepherd’s pie for dinner. We’ll have all vegan meals so we’ll all be able to eat together. Mom and Baba are bringing non-vegan baking and appetizers'”

   “I mentioned my friend who seemed to have left me, ignoring me completely for over a week when I was trying to buy her food but she wanted crepes. I told her about our pledge and we had a huge argument, then ignored me for more than a week.
   Yesterday, we got together for a few minutes and it was strained but then it was back to our old relationship and I think she has a new understanding and respect for my feelings about the other animals.
   I am very relieved.”

   “I was still expecting them (my family) to eat meat, but my mom and I went grocery shopping when I arrived and bought all vegan ingredients! I made vegan mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, and a Gardein roast, and she made/bought a salad, asparagus, vegan apple pie, vegan stuffing, and rolls. We had a lovely set up and I think my parents enjoyed it.”

   “I just had drinks with a friend who is now vegan and who I don’t get to hang out with that often. When I met them, they weren’t vegan (but I think had been in the past.) They went home and they texted me saying “I didn’t really get to say it, but you helped me remember why veganism is the life I want to lead and raise my children in. Thanks for being you.””

   I should also point out that the goal of the pledge is not to get positive responses but to take a “public stand and create social norms around the idea that animals are not ours to use.”
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   In response to your discussion of the Liberation Pledge, when I started out as vegan most of the vegan blogs and websites I saw all advocated leading by example and being the vegan in the room. And while this strategy sometimes works with new people I meet and can get people to ask me questions about why I am vegan and opens me up to talk about it, I have found that it can be a good door-opener, but that is the extent of its capability.
   I have been vegan for four years and some of my close friends and family have recognized that my logic is solid and theirs is flawed while others still refuse to acknowledge anything. But among these two groups none of them have actually made any changes other than eating some vegan food that I cook when I’m with them. And I can say that after four years not only does it hurt to know that those closest to me still refuse to stop hurting non-human animals but I have realized that being the vegan in the room has reached its limitations and I am done eating with them. I agree with the pledge that it is time to put animal consumption on the defensive and when it comes to my friends and family I will no longer let my presence at meals condone their actions. Now I don’t think this needs to be everyone’s approach, but I am embracing it and I’ll see if this has any more positive effects in the long run. As for immediate effects, my family agreed to have a completely vegan thanksgiving this year (which is a first) and my theater group has stopped bringing animal products to our rehearsals so I am pretty optimistic.

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