Ashley Riddle is Program Director for the Animal Rights Coalition, which is based in Minneapolis.

We’re pleased to announce the winner of the 2020 Kenny Feldman Animal Advocate Award. We’ve created this award to recognize a person, organization, or business in our community whose amazing work is pushing the ball forward for animals. This year we’re giving the award to Ashley Riddle, Program Director for the Animal Rights Coalition.

Ashley has been active for animals since 2015. In her work with the Animal Rights Coalition, she has protested against circuses, fur, trophy hunting, pet stores, puppy mills, animal testing facilities, and the racing of exotic animals. 

Since her work began, she has seen Petland St. Paul close, Hennepin County Medical Center end their animal testing, L.A. Rockler Fur Company close, and Canterbury Park stop their Extreme Race Day.

Beyond protests, Ashley works to educate the public about the use of animals at schools and local events and runs workshops such as “Help, I’m Going Vegan” and “Living as a Low Waste Vegan.” She has volunteered at Chicken Run Rescue and Rooster Redemption and has assisted in transporting animals to sanctuaries over the years. She has also organized community garbage clean-ups, documentary screenings, potlucks and has spent time volunteering at community gardens in North Minneapolis.

In her spare time she documents animal exploitation at local events and is the organizer for Minneapolis Animal Save, which involves holding vigils outside slaughterhouses. She co-hosts a podcast called MNtersectional and is newly passionate about speaking to local representatives about issues involving animals, thanks to participating in Humane Lobby Day in 2019 and 2020.