Henry Spira

Henry Spira (June 19, 1927 – September 12, 1998) was a prominent animal rights advocate and activist. He is best known for his successful campaigns against animal testing and the use of animals in the cosmetics and food industries. Spira's work significantly influenced the modern animal rights movement and led to substantial changes in corporate practices and public policies regarding animal welfare.

Early Life and Education

Henry Spira was born in Antwerp, Belgium, to a Jewish family. In 1938, his family fled to the United States to escape the growing threat of Nazi persecution. Spira attended Brooklyn Technical High School and later studied at City College of New York. He also served in the United States Merchant Marine during World War II.

Activism

Spira's activism began in the 1960s with his involvement in the civil rights movement and the labor movement. He was a member of the Socialist Workers Party and worked as a journalist for the party's newspaper, The Militant. His focus shifted to animal rights in the early 1970s after reading Peter Singer's book Animal Liberation.

Campaigns

Spira's first major campaign was against the American Museum of Natural History in 1976, where he protested the use of cats in experiments. The campaign was successful, leading to the cessation of the experiments. He later targeted major corporations such as Revlon, Procter & Gamble, and McDonald's, pushing them to adopt more humane practices.

Revlon Campaign

In 1980, Spira launched a campaign against Revlon to stop the use of the Draize test, a method of testing cosmetics on animals. The campaign included full-page ads in major newspapers and garnered significant public support. Revlon eventually agreed to fund research into alternative testing methods, marking a significant victory for the animal rights movement.

McDonald's Campaign

In the 1990s, Spira turned his attention to the fast-food industry, particularly McDonald's. He campaigned for better treatment of animals in the company's supply chain. This led to McDonald's adopting new animal welfare standards, which had a ripple effect throughout the industry.

Legacy

Henry Spira's work had a lasting impact on the animal rights movement. He demonstrated the effectiveness of strategic, targeted campaigns and the power of public pressure in achieving social change. Spira's methods have been emulated by numerous animal rights organizations worldwide.

Death

Henry Spira passed away on September 12, 1998, in New York City from esophageal cancer. His legacy continues to inspire activists and organizations dedicated to animal welfare.

See Also

• Animal rights
• Animal testing
• Peter Singer
• Civil rights movement
• Labor movement