Protest group reaches millions online

The instant availability of an online audience is prompting more and more charities and non-profit organisations to turn to the internet to spread their message.

Social networking websites such as Facebook, Bebo and Twitter connect a raft of groups to users who can pledge their support with one click.

Members of Facebook groups are sent intermittent messages from organisers, advising of updates to the cause, and any help that the group may need in getting their message across.

One of the biggest protest groups on Facebook is “Stop LIVE animal skinning in China”, with over one million members worldwide. The group is run by a member of the Animal Saviors Awareness Campaign.

Animal Saviors campaign director Peter Steele says Facebook has been highly effective in raising awareness about their cause.

“In the 18 months since we launched our website we have achieved access to more than two million Facebook members, and have had more than two million hits on our website during the same time.

“It’s fair to say that Facebook has been the most effective method [in gaining supporters],” he says.

The Facebook group directs members to the Animal Saviors website, where they can discover more about the horrors of live animal skinning in China, complete with photos and video.

There is also an online petition, which Steele says has been signed by more than 200,000 people.

One member of the group, Kylie Jorgensen, says she was not aware live animal skinning was being practised until she was invited to join the group on Facebook.

“I honestly had no idea that this was happening,” she says.

“It wasn’t until I joined the group and looked at the Animal Saviors website that I realised what an issue this was.”

Jorgensen says she signed the online petition but she “couldn’t bring [herself] to watch the video”.

Steele says the group’s aim is to convince the Chinese Government to ban live skinning of animals, and they are undertaking a campaign to raise awareness which will involve volunteers travelling 12,000 kms across Asia, while still remaining a strong online force.

“We will be using the internet, Facebook, and direct emails to ask people everywhere to keep up a barrage of emails to their local media, politicians, religious leaders and, most importantly, to the Chinese Minister of Commerce  and the local Chinese Ambassadors in their respective countries.

“We hope to present the petition to the Minister of Commerce or his delegate in Beijing,” he says.