Vegans defend actions after chalking up a storm

Tuesday 24 January 2017

Jersey vegans responsible for leaving pro-animal chalk messages around town – including some tongue-in-cheek slogans outside McDonalds – are being forced to defend their actions after kicking up a “storm.”

They had previously been given permission to chalk in parks, after convincing the St Helier Director of Parks with their “humorous” slogans such as, “Choose compassion, go vegan” and “If you had to suck them [udders], you’d drink almond milk” - but are now facing further opposition after having expanded into town.

Last Thursday, the group took to West's Centre to colourfully encourage islanders to “watch ‘Cowspiracy’” – a film addressing the effects of cattle farming on the environment – and to “Eat something, not someone.”

However, with some of the more controversial slogans including, “There’s no such thing as a ‘Happy Meal’”, some members of the public and business owners failed to see the funny side, later alerting the Police, Parish Constable and Honorary Police about the chalkings.

Pictured: "There's no such thing as a Happy Meal" reads this play on words encouraging veganism. (Photo: Laura Bechelet)

Meanwhile, the Parish of St Helier expressed concerns that water used to wash the graffiti away at this time of year could turn to ice. The vegans say, however, that "a stiff deck brush is enough to remove the chalk."

Paul Miller, member of the group ‘Vegans in Jersey’ and founder of ‘Vegan Chalk Challenge Channel Islands’, explained to Express that he has now sent a letter to assuage worries over the graffiti-style markings, which he had previously created in St Andrew's Park.

Addressed to Chief Minister Ian Gorst, St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft and Manager of Municipal Services at Department for Infrastructure Derek Noble, the letter claims that the group did not, “mean to make a huge headache for the States or other services either, [and] beg [their] kind permission to continue our cause.

Pictured: Described as a "vegan chalking outreach group", the chalk challengers aim to educate and raise awareness of a "compassionate", animal product-free lifestyle through messages such as the one above. (Photo: Laura Bechelet)

In the letter – sent on Sunday – Mr Miller maintained that, “on public property we are not committing an illegal act.”

“I'd love to make the Chief Minister aware that we will keep our writings away from privately owned buildings,” he added.

“We use colourful chalks especially as these wash away in rain and therefore are impermanent and cannot be classed as graffiti. We never use words that cause offence and especially never use any profanity or words of violence.”

While he acknowledged that the approach was “like marmite – you either love it or hate it”, Mr Miller remained firm that the sole intention of the group was to, “encourage messages around virtues” and “bring about a simple change with a simple message.”

Signing off “colourfully yours”, Mr Miller expressed hopes for a meeting to establish, “an agreement of what is and isn’t acceptable.”

While Jersey's response may not have been 100% positive, Mr Miller's actions have caught the attention of the global Vegan Chalk Challenge founder, James DeAlto.

Mr Miller told Express: "[Mr DeAlto] has been at this for over eight years and hasn't had any media attention, nor has he been on air. So he is pleased this small island has done so much for the cause."

He added: "Veganism Isn't a diet, it's a lifestyle that is one of sustainability, kindness and compassion. If we help one person realise that through our messages then we are helping save the planet."