This week, Paul and Andy are joined in conversation with their dear friends Callie and Nichole, the co-hosts of Vegan Warrior Princesses Attack! Podcast, to dissect the latest developments in the animal rights community as it relates to #metoo and #timesupAR. With several prominent figures in the animal welfare scene being tagged with allegations of sexual harassment and abuse, they break down the timeline and discuss the implications it has for the future as well as ways in which allies can best provide support.

Vegan Warrior Princesses Attack! can be found at VeganWarriorPrincessesAttack.com and iTunes.

During this episode we failed to properly credit the #ARTooWhite campaign to Collectively Free. Additionally, we neglected to mention their work behind the scenes attempting to hold FARM and the conference accountable. This was an oversight on our part and we should have done more research before speaking about it.

Public allegations timeline

Jan 14th

• Carol Adams posts publicly on Facebook – tagging Paul Shapiro (formerly the Vice President of Farm Animal Protection at HSUS and author of Clean Meat).

Jan 18th

• HSUS Exec Refuses to Deny Sexual Harassment Allegations

Jan 25th

• Humane Society CEO Under Investigation for Sexual Relationship With Employee, article on Philanthropy.com

Jan 26th

• The Animal Welfare Movement’s #metoo Problem, article published on The Philanthropy Chronicles by Marc Gunther

Jan 29th

• Humane Society CEO is subject of sexual harassment complaints from three women, according to internal investigation, article on Washington Post

Jan 30th

• Female Employees Allege Culture of Sexual Harassment at Humane Society. Two senior officials, including the CEO, have been investigated for incidents dating back over a decade, article on Politico
• Paul Shapiro posts a public statement – It is a PDF of, what appears to be, a letter that was printed out and then scanned, hidden in a Dropbox link
• Rick Bernthal, chair of the board at HSUS sends email to deputy directors telling them to focus on their work

Jan 31st

• Humane Society donors call for firing of chief executive after sexual harassment complaints, article on Washington Post
• Top Lab-Grown Meat Advocate Accused of Creating Atmosphere of Sexual Misconduct at Humane Society, reported on Gizmodo

Feb 1st

• Humane Society keeps CEO after sexual harassment complaints, prompting seven board members to resign, reported on the Washington Post

Feb 2nd

• Humane Society C.E.O. Resigns Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations, reported on the NY Times
• Wayne Pacelle publishes a letter to his staff, on Facebook
• The Humane Society of the United States accepts the resignation of Wayne Pacelle as president and CEO, on their site

Feb 6th

• Jaya Bhumitra comes out with her story about working with Nick Cooney, on Facebook – stating he is emotionally abusive and manipulative

Feb 7th

• Josh Balk makes a public statement, on Facebook (Balk took over Shapiro’s position at HSUS and has been friends with all of the recently accused)

Feb 8th

• Christina Wilson comes forward about Nick Cooney, on Facebook – this time the allegations also include sexual harassment
• Alex Hershaft posts in support of Wayne Pacelle
• Nathan Runkle (former head of MFA, now just on the board) makes a statement on Jaya’s post

Feb 9th

• At Mercy For Animals, No Mercy For Women, article on Nonprofit Chronicles

Additional Information 

• Nick Cooney Defamation lawsuit ruling
• Nick Cooney’s defense of himself

The News

• The Anti-Vegan Backlash Has Begun & It’s Called Februdairy (Refinery 29)
• New Law Will Require Animal Abusers To Be Registered Like Sex Offenders (Animal Channel)