The trend of 2016 seems to be people caring about others. Strangers are willing to fight for the rights of other strangers, like fighting for LGBT rights. And millennials are finding their voice to support the presidential candidates they believe in.  But in a time when we are fighting for the equality for all, animals have been overlooked. I constantly hear people saying we must give a voice to the voiceless, but animals have never been a part of this mainstream discussion.

Last week, student organizations like GW Hillel and GW for Israel brought a camel to campus during the Israel Fest in Kogan Plaza. Apparently, the life of a camel – a native to the deserts of the Middle East and North Africa – isn’t highly valued. The health, happiness and standard of living of that camel was overlooked. That camel is forced to spend its life standing in a small pen on concrete, and in the back of a truck traveling between performances.

There was no need to bring an innocent animal to campus to be poked and prodded in the middle of a city where it doesn’t belong. The exploitation of an animal at an event to promote travel and exploration of another culture was not necessary. Rather than students learning more about Israel, students unknowingly belittled an animal.

Many GW students are outspoken about the terrible injustices that are done to cats and dogs in animal shelters and how they would give anything to volunteer their time. This care for the quality of life for cats and dogs is great, of course, but this advocacy shouldn’t stop at companion animals.

You don’t have to be an outspoken animal lover to realize that animals, including camels, aren’t meant to be used as an attraction, entertainment and a selfie partner in a Snapchat story. The use of a camel as a main attraction for the Israel Fest was a misguided decision.

Hannah Moskowitz is the president of GW Animal Advocates. Want to respond to this piece? Submit a letter to the editor.