The J Weekly reprinting of my post. After my controversial article criticizing the JVNA and supporting Urban Adamah came out last week, I decided to reach out to their executive director Jeffrey Cohan. While we disagreed on many issues relating to my article and the protest, we were able to have a respectful and positive conversation. One point he felt very unhappy with is that I used the words bullying, yelling and screaming to describe the organization's actions. After listening to his arguments I have come to see that the JVNA was not directly responsible for such behavior. I still do believe that JVNA deserved much criticism for throwing their hat into the ring with people that were partaking in aggressive and threatening actions as well as for doing nothing when protestors used their Facebook events page to defame and embarrass Urban Adamah. I also still believe that the JVNA should of engaged Urban Adamah in dialogue about the morality of their planned class rather than join a misguided and fruitless protests. Nonetheless I do feel that I was altogether much too hard on the JVNA who actually served as a voice of moderation within the protestors, and for this I would like to offer my sincere apology.
I'm also very happy to announce that on Thursday evening Mr. Cohan informed me that the "JVNA will not be participating in any further criticism or pressure directed against Urban Adamah." and that "Our role is to be an intermediary between the vegan activists and Urban Adamah." I want to applaud Jeffrey and the entire JVNA organization for this brave choice to step back towards moderation and nuance in their fight to help the plight of animals in this world. While my support and respect for the organization was shaken greatly by their choice to join the protest, this decision has restored my faith in their fine institution.
