“Let’s face facts: After decades of environmental struggles, we are nevertheless losing ground in the battle to preserve species, ecosystems, and wilderness. Increasingly, calls for moderation, compromise, and the slow march through institutions can be seen as treacherous and grotesquely inadequate. In the midst of predatory global capitalism and biological meltdown, ‘reasonableness’ and ‘moderation’ seem to be entirely unreasonable and immoderate, as ‘extreme’ and ‘radical’ actions appear simply as necessary and appropriate.” (Steven Best, Igniting a Revolution: Voices in Defense of The Earth)
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By Camille Marino
Negotiation is Over has a new tagline: “Words Without Actions Are Meaningless.” I heard this statement recently, uttered by true revolutionaries who were willing to die for their values. Empathizing with the struggle of the oppressed is insufficient; we must be willing to die for their freedom… otherwise we need to find a hobby. These ideas resonated with me. They are the lens through which my own inadequacies become magnified and glaring. Animal terrorists demand an equal and opposite response from animal liberationists and, thus far, I have not — we have not — delivered. The extreme violence systematically visited upon nonhumans cannot be addressed with moderation and civility.
We have no revolution. We have no movement. We have welfarists and pacifists — equally complicit in the holocaust by virtue of their unconscionable tolerance, timidity, and tacit approval; “abolitionists” who have co-opted a term, eradicated the spirit of revolution, and armed themselves with spatulas and aprons. And here I am, as culpable as the weakest activist, but naked with no rationalizations to defend myself. I know that vegan cupcakes do nothing for the animals confined in bloody misery. I understand that sadists will not become decent human beings if we simply ask them nicely enough. So if I do nothing to stop the abusers, then I am guilty. And if we as a movement fail to take decisive action, then everyone shares this guilt. If the innocent could defend themselves, their tormentors would be dead. Animals are terrorized, mutilated, and murdered on an incomprehensible scale and with exquisite precision in far greater numbers than the humans who succumbed to the Rwandan death squads and the RUF in Sierra Leone combined. Yet we do nothing.
I have difficulty understanding why some people tell me I inspire them. I have done nothing remarkable and have only just begun to clear my own path… some rescues, some fostering & re-homing, a few adoptions, and a ton of impotent campaigns. Protests do nothing. Letters do nothing. Words do nothing — but they are all I have for now. The abusers still have free reign to torment and torture at will. My disgust is palpable and my rage is seething. But I have stopped no one. Why? Let’s face it. I have no desire to go to prison. One armed activist is a terrorist; dozens of armed activists is a revolution. And we need a revolution.
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“Politics as usual won’t cut it anymore. We will always lose if we play by their rules rather than cast a pox on their house and invent new forms of struggle, new social movements, and new sensibilities. Causes require decisive and direct action: logging roads need to be blocked, driftnets need to be cut, and cages need to be emptied. But these are defensive actions; new social movements must be built, ones that incorporate both social and ecological issues in multiracial and global alliances.
How much more corruption, violence, repression, and exploitation is necessary before people wake up and begin to act? How many more species have to pass into oblivion? How many more rainforests have to fall? How many more polar bears have to washed up drowned on the shores? How much more must the planet heat up?” – Steven Best
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I am not delusional and I am not calling for armed revolt – necessary and inevitable as it may be. I do want every single one of us, however, to look in the mirror and, as we enter 2010, acknowledge that there needs to be a correlation between our words and actions. When we look into the face of a vivisector, imagine that it is our parent, child, sibling or companion animal being obscenely tortured for fun and profit. What is the appropriate response? We all need to answer this question for ourselves. But before any real change can be effected, we need to assess ourselves in the context of the war for animal liberation.
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Fear is a tool that the state uses to control us and contain the potential threat. And a movement of above-ground activists that cowers before the oppressors is a disgrace. Let’s get passed this simple obstacle and reclaim our voices and power. Last month, we launched a Facebook group with the subtitle, “Total Liberation By Any Means Necessary.” While the new visions, possibilities, and discussions revolving around Dr. Best’s Manifesto for Radical Abolitionism excited many of us, I was appalled at the overwhelming number of people who were openly afraid to be associated with this group — AFRAID OF THE TERM “BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY”!!! While nonhumans are being chopped up with ruthless efficiency, their defenders are too fearful to take a public stand. This utter weakness is intolerable and inexcusable. Newsflash: if you are an animal rights activist, your name is probably already in a file maintained by the police state. Who are we hiding from? We MUST be louder, more visible and infinitely more abrasive – not pathetic, cowardly, and timid. This mentality is embarrassing.
Some people in this movement compromise professional glory to remain true to their ideals and champion the interests of nonhuman victims. Others become more militant and relentless with each visit from the FBI. And still more have realized that exposure and the inevitable knock on the door are the price of effectiveness. The enslaved animals we fight for cannot escape their terror and, therefore, we are not allowed the luxury of fear and indecision.
While there are activists who contribute impotent blogs to the struggle, the trail of reference letters littering the path to their professional aspirations belies a sickening opportunism absent from those engaged in the struggle. Animal liberationists are routinely penalized – financially, professionally, and socially – because we fight for the victims who’s only value is measured in their commodified corpses. Pacifists and opportunists need to stop criticizing welfarists and militant direct activists as their exclusive fetishized problems. Their tolerance and sterile debate are the antithesis of revolution. They are a part of the problem hiding under a thinly-veiled disguise.
As 2009 comes to a close, the animal liberation movement needs to bury its own inconsistencies and come to terms with the fact that this is a war — a bloody, violent, and disturbing landscape that we did not create, but it is up to us to navigate. The ruthless sadists and the corporate-state complex that protects them depend on our fear and they laugh every time one of us submits… just like animal terrorists who are amused by their victims’ agony. We have finished tolerating the degenerate abusers. We will go forward defiant and unafraid. And, together, we can ignite this revolution.
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Camille Marino, Founder & Publisher. Negotiating with abusers is an exercise in futility and veganism is essential. The only action that matters to the imprisoned is the one that imparts freedom. It is a moral obligation to protect the innocent whenever we can — and direct action, sabotage, or subduing the violent with violence is a acceptable and effective. Free speech must be exercised or it shrivels up and dies. Oppression needs to be resisted.
If the nonhumans could fight back, their tormentors would have expired long ago. We have an obligation to expose the abusers. It is the LEAST we can do! I welcome your emails & contributions.
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Brilliant!
I am fed up with the animals abusers and killers. FED UP!! It’s time for revolution to begin!!
Camille,
Great article, but I am still left stratching my head wondering just what I am supposed to do? Just like you, I cannot go to jail. I have a daughter to take care of and a job to keep to support us.
If I had no fear of jail there would be no question what needs to be done. I agree that you should be willing to die for what you believe in and I honestly do. So that is my dilemma and it SUCKS. I am so frustrated as I am sure many of us are.
Has there ever been a meeting with all the major animal rights groups to discuss strategies? I am not talking conferences. We need to unite and unite NOW. I honestly believe Steven Best is that one person that can lead this movement. We need one leader and the rest will follow.
Lisa,
Thank you for your thoughts. I think it’s appropriate to feel frustrated and I am very much dissatisfied with myself. But, like you, I’ll scratch my head and keep pushing until I find a vulnerable place to attack.
The thing that seriously disturbs me is that many “activists” have become complacent and are perfectly content with impotence and timidity. I want a revolution. I want to see change — not just blog about it. And, so, I agree with you…
Those of us who are serious and committed need to come together and close ranks amongst ourselves; hopefully, the fearful and apathetic will grow a spine or go bake cookies with the “abolitionists.” And, yes, we do need a leader… and I think we already have one…
Me too
Seriously, every action (legal or not) is vanified by the apathy of the great majority. We can’t change the world just typing on a keyboard, we won’t change it if we don’t protest when/where our voice is needed. And it’s hard to be heard when you are a group of 5/6 persons. This is my personal experience of course, I hope it’s different in other Countries
Thank you Camille for this article
Exceptionally well-said, Camille.
Approximately 13 years ago part of the Chinese cat/dog fur trade was globally exposed; the published video showed a dog being skinned alive. As hideously and excruciatingly painful as that must have been, the dog continued wagging her tail, as if to ask for a pat on the head from her tormentor and murderer, who continued brutalizing her. What lesson does that teach us? Apparently nothing because it still happens, continuously. If everyone who saw that 13 years ago did something, maybe there would have been a positive change; I know about the subsequent law, but laws mean nothing when it still HAPPENS. That dog represents every cow, pig, chicken, mink, cat, rabbit, bird, dolphin, and bear.
Here’s what scares me: my daughter fighting P&G two decades from now; my daughter campaigning against BSL or circuses; my daughter’s existence in danger because our environment, water and air is so poisoned that nothing can save any beings because we didn’t do enough now; people not remembering that dog, who, even in the face of such agony and fear, still wagged her tail.
upon themselves abusers brought
the hell that upon animals
they wraught
Stacey, the image of that dog (& all the others) is breaking my heart. And that’s an excellent point: if people had stepped up 13 years ago, it would be different today.
I am encouraged by the people on this thread who understand and acknowledge that there is so much more to be done. I have no doubt that if LoVegan and I were not on different continents that we would be able to effect change.
And I have no doubt that if those of us in this conversation (and a few select others) were neighbors, we would have workable strategies and we would effect real change. But we are scattered and, probably, surrounded by people who want change, but are unwilling to work and be defiant.
We do need a leader who can articulate a vision and establish a new socially-relevant & politically-grounded philosophy. I deleted the playful comments I had made previously because, in all seriousness, I believe Steve Best is the person who is the de facto “leader” of the animal liberation movement.
However, I’ve read enough of his work to understand that Steve is not an authoritarian, does not claim to have devine inspiration or definitive solutions, and, rather than rigid ideas, I think Dr. Best’s philosophy is fluid and always evolving.
I think what I’m trying to say is that Steve is not going to lead us, and none of us needs to be led. He can teach us a lot. We can use Steve’s theories to propel a new uncharted course, but we have an obligation to teach as well: our experiences — mistakes and successes — are invaluable lessons to be shared.
We are all in this together. And we all need to engage because the animals keeps dying and the ecological crisis is approaching the point of no return.
Dear Camille and all other companeras who wrote in reply to your beautiful article: The words of Lisa above still resound in my mind. But I just recall that you, women, have a *very sucessful* tradition of struggle and resistance against all kinds of injustice and oppression (which, indeed, historically have been even harsher upon you). You did it in the Spanish Civil War, you are just doing it right now in Chiapas and Oaxaca. Therefore, I am fully confident you will find ways to lead us all – women, man, and animals together – towards the social revolution. Salud!
My frustration and anger have reached their peak already and the will to do more is ever stronger! However, in whatever I do (pretty much on my own….) it feels like never enough, and it feels like one step forward gets overshadowed by 2 steps backward.. I feel the pressure of my want to save them all, and also the pain of my own limitations and impotence!
I fully agree that we need to do something much more drastic, much more effective, but HOW ? How to go about it, without losing activists to jail, without letting the system silence so many and decimate the number of the dedicated ones..…
It seems as if we needed an army, as if we needed to cause an effect like the crumbling of the Berlin Wall or that of the magnitude of a ‘tsunami” in order to paralyze the lifeline of animal mass murder and abuse.
I wish I had enough knowledge to contribute effectively to this pool of thoughts as far as strategies or paths are concerned, but I have only questions and a rage deep enough to realize that TIME is running out for all our animals, that we indeed need a new social movement, and that we can be victorious only UNITED as ONE !
It‘s a totally new “ballgame”! The good news is we have already a ‘referee”! (Thank you Lisa!). I just wish I lived enough to play in it and enjoy the total victory of freedom for all!
I too am frustrated that we are all scattered, and sometimes wish for a “community”, but that seems too cultish. So this is a further step than in the past, before internet, blogs, myspace, facebook, ect, I really felt alone then with my so called “radical” views on torture and killing animals. I am now aware that there are many, many of us feel this way, knowing from our core how detached, numb and dumb society can remain, so somehow we have to become highly organized, respected and efficient in changing the current insane system that allows, justifies and even encourages the killing of animals.
Thank you all for your thoughtfulness and shared desire for change. I am moved by this passion.
I sense this frustration, lack of unity and focus, this search for the vulnerable in the corporate structures around us is common to so many movements in history as they begin.
I propose a unifying starting point, a battle in a war we can win with a clear battlefield, and a clear opponent with us as the guerrilla fighters with distinct advantages.
I propose that of all species we love, the one that can unify us is the one that dreams, the one with the that captures the imaginations of all who touch them. I propose we unify for dolphins.
Whales and Cetacea would work too but there isn’t one place, one town dedicated to their extinction like there is for dolphins. I have been to this hell four times and return with a plead for help…like nowhere on our great blue Earth, there is one town dedicated to the extermination of a species. This town is Taiji, Japan.
From success with cetaceans,let’s look species by species.
I have worked as a union activist and strategist for 10 years in Japan. I worked with a great fun loving team to actually beat the government of the State of Osaka (Osaka Fu) at their own game through use of local celebrities and press conferences and a music concert.
My current work is to end the dolphin kills in Taiji, Japan. I work with a core group to spread grassroots activism.
After being interviewed on Wild Time Radio I realized my closest all allies in terms of activists have already been working tirelessly for decades. http://www.indymedia.ie/article/95073
There is much happening as major events are building around the Taiji dolphins.
I hope I can talk with you. I hope we might find ways to work together.
Sincerely,
Steven Thompson
steven_sensei@yahoo.com
Steven,
I have seen The Cove and I am very disturbed as I am when I see any undercover video showing the senseless and barbaric murdering of innocent animals. Yes, the dolphins need our help too. It is a campaign that can be won.
I am so bothered by the fact that the major animal rights groups do not join forces with each other. Working as one would show our strength and unity and things would CHANGE!
Huntingdon Life Sciences should be closed by now. If every group, in every part of the world worked on that one campaign it would have started that revolution we all fight for. We have comrades wasting away in jail in vein. If we all united and just stuck with it. One important issue at a time.
We could have eradicated fur by now also. It’s just getting everyone to agree on what campaign first. What is the most urgent? (every single one is) That is our hell. We all have that one common goal, to end the abuse, exploitation and annihilation of our fellow earthlings. They must be seen as individuals, not property, not slaves and not commodities. That is something that most agree on.
We all want the cages empty, the murder to cease, but that will not happen tomorrow and tomorrow will never come unless we unite.
I will burn footage to dvd of the dolphin massacre at The Cove and hand it out with two others which MUST be seen. Meet Your Meat and Earthlings. I can at least do that. If I could afford it, I would be armed with a large tv as Rick O’Barry was at the end of the film. How powerful.
Keep fighting the fight,
Lisa
Sorry I am a bit late here but a few ideas.
1. We share natural allies with the environmentalists (in the UK Earth First! and Climate Camp have vegan kitchens), feminists, the left. I suggest we start there with mutual support and solidarity. Animal rights activists are involved in campaigning against the weapons industry for example, and rightly so. All of us in all of these movements are fighting for justice and I certainly think animal rights is anti facist and anti sexist but it is a work in progress. No reason why a feminist campaigner should not be vegan, no reason why an animal rights campaigner should not support equality between the sexes.
2. Working together non-heirarchically in small groups. Safer, spreads work and responsibility, makes people self sufficient. Too many people are spoon fed, driven from A to B, cleared up after and fed by really frazzled “leaders” who are then rounded up. Let us sort this out.
3. One of the reasons we are not being as effective as we should be is the state. We should not be suprised by this are we not after all saying that the very foundations which hold “Western civilisation” together should be smashed?Our society is built on blood and pain and death, that mobile phone in your pocket has metals from the congo in it, rainforest was destroyed, wild creatures dispersed and then cildren forced to mine for it risking their lives. The police are the state’s hammer and they are hammering us. FUCK THAT!What we HAVE to do is address this. In the UK a group called FITwatch decided to fight back and block the police cameras and the police are on the run through legal process, direct action and intelligent tactics. The police are very violent and very strong, they are our enemy and need to be engaged when they try and stop us. Sue them, complain when THEY break the law, let us make court cases part of the campaign and continue the resistance into prisons and the hospitals when they put us in these places. Let us recognise that prison, getting injured, getting arrested, witnessing others going through this, being under surveillance are all frightening things which many will be afraid of and with good reason. Let us demystify these things, talk about them, accept that people will get burnt out and need rest (I want to see people campaigning for decades not a year or 2). Dealing with trauma both physical and emotional and oppression are things we need to get our heads around and face. If we are to fight for non humans we need to be fit enough to do so and be ready to support those who are imprisoned/hurt/burned out PROPERLY. At present I don’t think we do this for example in my case I was very seriously hurt by a police officer on an action against HLS, I am still in pain, limping suffering from a trapped nerve and often exhausted 10 years later. Serious oppression has serious consequences we are only human and we need to respect people’s limits. We need to create a culture of sustainability and those who are unable to put themselves on the frontline can help those who can. Personally I am looking at fighting repression right now and to support those feeling the brunt of it throughout the activist community, in fact a few of us from each movement AR, environmen, peace, feminist working together can pool resources and experiences against a common enemy.
4. We have to stop the infighting, this pacifist vs militant, straightedge vs drinkers, etc etc. It seems that whenever we get together that people look for divisions. We need to respect one another much more.
5. We need analysis of what we are doing right and wrong and we need to work out a way forward. We do not need to beat ourselves up about how little we think we do along that path lies madness, burnout, activists leaving and potential activists being put off. OK the situation right now is shite now the best thing might be to go on a rampage with bombs and guns against those who torture and murder our brothers and sisters but I do not think that we have either the capacity or the technical expertise to do this. Maybe all we are left with at present are things like civil disodience, leafleting, etc, we are obliged I think to continue doing what we can to the best of our individual capacity. A leaflet handed out could set off a apark. No-one who is writing on or even looking at this blog should be doing anything really ermm…. effective unless they want to get caught. We need to set up structure which deal with conflicts and serious issues such as suspected infiltration/undercover journalists.
One phrase comes to mind regarding the way forward MOVEMENT BUILDING, empowering ourselves and those around us, accepting diversity, supporting those who need it and making it impossible for the police and their infiltrators to take us one by one.