Update: Vegetarian Leader Attacked in Hate Crime

I've had tons people contact me requesting more information on Nathan, so I thought I'd post an update. Many people have asked how they can contact Nathan to offer their support or where to send a donation. If you'd like to send some quick words of encouragement, you can contact Nathan at info@mercyforanimals.org, and if you'd like to leave a tax-deductible donation in his name, you can donate via this link or via the "Donate Now" link on the Mercy for Animals homepage - I just did! Any Alice Cooper remix CDs can be sent to the PO Box address listed at the bottom of the homepage.

My friend Doris who runs the About.com Guide to Animal Rights recently interviewed Nathan if you'd like to learn more about him and his work. Doris chats with Nathan about what motivates him to spend his life fighting for others and how he became interested in farm animal issues at just eleven years old.

Although it seems unlikely that Nathan's attacker will be brought to justice as he was not identified, the police are still investigating, and a blogger at the Huffington Post has drawn some more attention to the story. If living well is the best revenge, however, your donations and support which will allow Nathan to continue his work for animals will do more good than arrest ever could. Though I'm sure we all agree that justice for the violent and disturbed individual would be nice as well.

Related links:

Vegetarian Leader Attacked in Hate Crime

Interview with Nathan Runkle, Executive Director of Mercy for Animals

Huffington Post: A hate crime you won't see in statistics

Pictured: Nathan addresses a Hollywood gala crowd at the ripe young age of 21. Image by Kevin Winter / Getty Images