Everyone has heard of the horrifying shooting of moviegoers in Aurora, Colorado, which left 12 people dead and dozens more injured, and many people have debated how gun control or mental-health care might help stop future outbreaks of violence. But while there are many forms of random, senseless violence that we can do nothing about, there's one way each of us can make the world a little more peaceful every time we sit down to eat: All we have to do is choose meat-free meals. That's why PETA has written to the Arapahoe County sheriff to ask him to lead the way by placing the man charged in the Aurora shooting, James Holmes, on a totally nonviolent vegan diet.

There's a Reason 'Carnivore' Sounds Like 'Carnage'

Although the extreme violence inflicted on them rarely makes the news, animals on factory farms and in slaughterhouses endure senseless acts of aggression and bloodshed every hour of every day, and their fear and pain are as palpable and real as anyone else's. Also, extreme cruelty to animals is inextricably linked to acts of violence against human beings.

Eating plant-based meals is a simple way for all of us to make the world a less violent place. To initiate this positive trend, PETA has offered to provide all inmates of the Arapahoe County jail where Holmes is incarcerated with vegan meals for a day at no cost to the county.

What You Can Do

Had enough violence? Go vegan for life.

PETA wants to give parties on both sides of the debate over Arizona's new law banning abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy some other food for thought as we get set to display a new billboard in the Phoenix area. We think that everyone should be able to agree about death on factory farms and beyond:

© iStockphoto.com/Sascha Burkard

Billions of chickens are killed for food every year in the U.S. when they are only 6 to 7 weeks old, and most of the pigs and turkeys killed for food are less than 1 year old. Animals killed for food feel pain when they are stunned, have their throats cut, or are scalded to death or dismembered while they're still conscious.

Pro-life? You can save lives by eating vegan foods. Pro-choice? Choose meals that are better for animals, your health, and our environment. Makes sense!

Have you been wanting to go vegan but just aren't sure how to start? You're not alone. More and more people are discovering that they can feel better, live longer, and stop contributing to environmental devastation and cruelty to animals with a plant-based diet—but that they need a little guidance in making the switch.

Enter the Physicians' Committee for Responsible Medicine's Kickstart Intensive. This two-and-a-half-day program features classes, discussions with nutrition experts, cooking demonstrations, and complimentary meals to get aspiring vegans well on their way. Billed as a "life-changing experience," Kickstart Intensive covers topics such as breaking food addictions, permanent weight control, and power foods for the brain. Attendees will receive a personal year-long support system to help keep them on track, including conference calls and online resources.

mhaller1979|cc by 2.0

Kickstart Intensive will take place from October 4 to 6 in Washington, D.C. For more information or to register, visit the Kickstart Intensive website. Can't make the event? Request a free copy of PETA's vegetarian/vegan starter kit for helpful information, recipes, and tips to make going vegan as easy as eating asparagus, bananas, and cauliflower.

A lot of us can get pretty animated when we start talking about being vegetarian or vegan. Now, our plant-based persuasions are getting animated in a new series, Vegtoons. As its name suggests, Vegtoons is a Web-based animated series that educates viewers about the benefits of a plant-based diet. Here's a clip from the first episode featuring the stars of the show—an unassuming manatee, a world-weary orangutan, and a pampered apologist pup.

Vegtoons is the brainchild of vegan Greg Singer, who caught cartoon fever while working for DreamWorks Feature Animation, Fox Feature Animation, and Cartoon Network. To bring his vision to life, he enlisted the help of his friends, the vegetarian founders of Cartoon Saloon, the animation studio behind the Oscar-nominated feature The Secret of Kells. 

In order to get the fledgling project off the ground and onto the Internet, he set up a Kickstarter fundraising page and—get this—is asking vegetarians and vegans to spare just $1. If 16,000 of us do so, he'll be able to make the inaugural episode of Vegtoons a reality and propel the series onto computer screens around the world, spreading the vegetarian message along the way.

As Greg explains on the show's Kickstarter page, "Your pledge is your vote. By the simple act of supporting the show, you are contributing to a global future based on compassion, sustainability, and justice." And everyone who contributes to the show gets backer-exclusive e-mail updates and will be entered to win prizes.

To become a backer and help vegucate the planet, please visit the Vegtoons Kickstarter page. 

After Canada's House of Commons passed a budget bill that strikes down several environmental protection laws, PETA's blue-painted supporters hit Ottawa's Parliament Hill to rock the government's world—almost literally—and to urge eco-conscious Canadians not to despair because they can still help save the planet by eating plant-based foods.

According to the United Nations, the meat industry is in large part responsible for some of the most serious environmental problems that we face today, including climate change. So even if you aren't daring enough to strip down to bodypaint (although if you are, let PETA know), don't feel blue—you can still help protect the Earth by choosing healthy, humane vegan meals.

Southern Baptists attending a convention in New Orleans probably expected to be communing with God … just not with his son on the street corner. And not with a giant chicken.

Nevertheless, they loved PETA's divine duo, who asked the faithful to remember that Jesus' message was one of compassion, not killing.

While the Southern Baptists scooped up information about going vegan, they chatted with "Jesus" about how God would not approve of the ways that his animals are abused on today's factory farms. Many said that they were eating less meat or had already gone vegan to stop supporting cruelty.

Amen to that!

With all due respect to the Piano Man, I don't really agree that the sinners have more fun than the saints. Most North Dakotans don't either—their state boasts the second-highest percentage of Christians in the nation. 

When PETA saw that statistic, we had an epiphany (if you'll pardon the pun) and decided that we should erect this billboard in North Dakota:

Photo: Sarah McColgan/www.sarahmccolgan.com|Hair: Maisha Oliver|Makeup: Marina Gravani for Artists by Timothy Priano

Angela Simmons isn't just paying lip service to the cause. Rev Run's daughter and the cofounder of Pastry shoes is a devout Christian who practices "thou shalt not kill" every time she sits down to eat. She credits the Bible and her uncle, vegan hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons, with inspiring her cruelty-free diet. 

One glance at Angela's figure might make a person think, "Have mercy!"—and that's exactly how she does it. By following Matthew 5:7, "Blessed are the merciful …," Angela keeps her vegetarian bod lean and also saves animals from abuse on factory farms and the horror of slaughterhouses.

Unfortunately, we weren't able to place our billboard in North Dakota, but you have to admit that it's pretty divine, huh?

Anyone can have a heavenly body and be angelic to animals simply by not eating meat. Of course, darling, only the meat-eaters die young. Well, they're certainly more likely to.

The still-undefeated Timothy Bradley, who brought down Manny "Pac-Man" Pacquiao like a blue ghost on Saturday, might have had an unfair advantage: He follows a vegan training regimen. The welterweight is famously hard on left-handers, but he's easy on animals.

In this clip, in which he talks about why he loves eating vegan meals, Bradley explains, "I just feel completely different. I feel superior over any athlete I get in the ring with. You know, energy is there."

PETA's love is there for Bradley and his cruelty-free training sessions, so we're sending him some congratulatory flowers to thank him for joining athletes such as Lance Armstrong, Rich Roll, Jake Shields, Mac Danzig, Daniel Bryan, and many more in proving the power of plants!

How do you like to celebrate your birthday? How 'bout rockin' out and helping animals? That's what birthday boy Morrissey did: When his vegan tour stopped in San Diego, SeaWorld's hometown, on May 22, the longtime animal advocate gave all of his bandmates PETA's "SeaWorld Sucks" T-shirts to wear onstage.

Joe Scarnici/FilmMagic

Joe Scarnici/FilmMagic

Any SeaWorld folks who were in the audience should have ducked their heads if Moz played "You Should Have Been Nice to Me" or "Shame Is the Name." What else did they expect from the guy who never misses an opportunity to speak up for animals?

Rock out for orcas with your own "SeaWorld Sucks" tee.

Vegan "ultraman" athlete Rich Roll recently launched his new book, Finding Ultra, at PETA's Los Angeles office. You may remember Rich from his many successful challenges—or from the ad that he did for PETA. Now you can learn the secret (did we mention that he's vegan?) to his success!

How to Win

You can win one of three signed copies of Finding Ultra that Rich has given to PETA. Just post a comment below telling us what makes you an "ultraman"—or "ultrawoman," natch—for animals, and you'll be entered into a random drawing for the winners.

Get the Book

Want even more cruelty-free product giveaways, coupons, deals, and steals? Just "like" PETA's "Shop for Animals" Facebook page. Even if you aren't the lucky winner, order Finding Ultra from this Barnes & Noble link, and your purchase will support PETA's work for animals!

Good luck!

The winner will be chosen at random from submitted animal-friendly comments. The contest ends on May 30, 2012, and we'll contact the winner by June 1, 2012. Be sure to read our privacy policy and terms and conditions, as you're agreeing to both by commenting. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law.