Relocation Stories: Lindsay Rajt
1. Name and what you do for a living?
Lindsay Rajt, Assistant Manager, Vegan and Factory Farms, PETA
2. How did you end up in Louisville?
I moved here because Kentucky Fried Chicken is based in Louisville, and at the time I was a campaign coordinator and my main focus was our Kentucky Fried Cruelty campaign, in which we're calling on the company to raise chickens more naturally and to slaughter them using more modern, less cruel methods (as per the advice from their own animal welfare advisors, five of whom have resigned out of frustration with the company's lack of progress.) I'm still working on the campaign into addition to other responsibilities, and sadly, KFC hasn't stopped the worst abuses of chickens raised and killed for their buckets.
3. What did you think of Louisville before you moved here (if anything?)
I'd been visiting Louisville regularly before moving here for campaign purposes, so I already knew about the delicious vegan fare, beautiful architecture, and warm and progressive nature of the city, especially in the Highlands area.
4. What preconceptions did you have about Louisville that have changed since moving here?
I really didn't know what a small town trapped in a big city's body it is in many ways. I'm constantly running into people I know, but without running out of new things to see and do.
5. How do you like living here?
I adore it and it's my favorite place yet--this coming from someone who's lived in DC, New York, Minnesota, Florida, Michigan, Colorado, and Virginia.
6. Has Louisville been a good place do business?
Louisville is full of caring people and our activist base for the KFC Cruelty campaign is always growing. People here are compassionate, and when they find out that KFC is allowing birds to go into scalding hot tanks of water (intended for de-feathering) while they're still conscious they're absolutely horrified and they go elsewhere. Of course, there are a lot of people interested in food that isn't pumped full of drugs like those KFC suppliers feed to chickens, and even if they aren't ready to go vegetarian, most people agree it's not right for animals to suffer needlessly when there are alternatives. It's a wonderful local climate for a campaign like KFC Cruelty.
7. What's your favorite thing about Louisville?
The great vegan food, beautiful parks and architecture, cultural events, local business community, and progressive politics.
8. What is Louisville missing (for my money it's a good creperie)?
A really good independent theater would be amazing, as well as a good spot for vegan pancakes and waffles--they're so easy (and cheap) to make it boggles the mind they're not all over the place.
9. What's the one thing people should know about Louisville?
It's not what you think!
10. What's your favorite restaurant in Louisville?
Ramsi's--I love the festive atmosphere, the huge variety of vegan dishes and dishes that can be made vegan, and a chance to eat outdoors or be approached by a 70-year old magician! Waiting inside an independent bookstore doesn't hurt, either--of course for dessert Ray's Monkey House on Bardstown Road is where it's at.
Lindsay Rajt, Assistant Manager, Vegan and Factory Farms, PETA
2. How did you end up in Louisville?
I moved here because Kentucky Fried Chicken is based in Louisville, and at the time I was a campaign coordinator and my main focus was our Kentucky Fried Cruelty campaign, in which we're calling on the company to raise chickens more naturally and to slaughter them using more modern, less cruel methods (as per the advice from their own animal welfare advisors, five of whom have resigned out of frustration with the company's lack of progress.) I'm still working on the campaign into addition to other responsibilities, and sadly, KFC hasn't stopped the worst abuses of chickens raised and killed for their buckets.
3. What did you think of Louisville before you moved here (if anything?)
I'd been visiting Louisville regularly before moving here for campaign purposes, so I already knew about the delicious vegan fare, beautiful architecture, and warm and progressive nature of the city, especially in the Highlands area.
4. What preconceptions did you have about Louisville that have changed since moving here?
I really didn't know what a small town trapped in a big city's body it is in many ways. I'm constantly running into people I know, but without running out of new things to see and do.
5. How do you like living here?
I adore it and it's my favorite place yet--this coming from someone who's lived in DC, New York, Minnesota, Florida, Michigan, Colorado, and Virginia.
6. Has Louisville been a good place do business?
Louisville is full of caring people and our activist base for the KFC Cruelty campaign is always growing. People here are compassionate, and when they find out that KFC is allowing birds to go into scalding hot tanks of water (intended for de-feathering) while they're still conscious they're absolutely horrified and they go elsewhere. Of course, there are a lot of people interested in food that isn't pumped full of drugs like those KFC suppliers feed to chickens, and even if they aren't ready to go vegetarian, most people agree it's not right for animals to suffer needlessly when there are alternatives. It's a wonderful local climate for a campaign like KFC Cruelty.
7. What's your favorite thing about Louisville?
The great vegan food, beautiful parks and architecture, cultural events, local business community, and progressive politics.
8. What is Louisville missing (for my money it's a good creperie)?
A really good independent theater would be amazing, as well as a good spot for vegan pancakes and waffles--they're so easy (and cheap) to make it boggles the mind they're not all over the place.
9. What's the one thing people should know about Louisville?
It's not what you think!
10. What's your favorite restaurant in Louisville?
Ramsi's--I love the festive atmosphere, the huge variety of vegan dishes and dishes that can be made vegan, and a chance to eat outdoors or be approached by a 70-year old magician! Waiting inside an independent bookstore doesn't hurt, either--of course for dessert Ray's Monkey House on Bardstown Road is where it's at.
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