Radio star was a friend of animals

By Alex Hershaft, Bethesda, Md.

Wednesday, June 18, 2014 | 2:01 a.m.

We mourn the passing of animal rights champion Casey Kasem.

Many of Kasem’s fans are aware of the radio host’s dedicated work for the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, Israeli-Palestinian peace, and nuclear disarmament. But Kasem was also a champion for the voiceless — the animals. For many years, he served as national chairman of the Great American Meatout, seeking to abate this country’s animal holocaust. He addressed a number of our functions in Los Angeles. In 2005, he received the Celebrity Animal Advocate Award at the annual National Animal Rights Conference.

Kasem was a rare gift to humanity. We, the animals, and other progressive causes will miss him.

Hershaft is president of the Farm Animal Rights Movement.