Hello
friends. I am inspired and awed by the admirable level of vigilance which is so
clear on every page of your journal. Thank you. My only concern is the
occasional attitude of the people who say "All or Nothing". I definitely
understand and support the people who decide that the animals must be liberated
NOW (or the restaurants-of-doom must be closed NOW, etc.), and I find the level
of commitment commendable which says "Once arrested, I will not walk, talk,
eat, or in any other way cooperate with my own arrest". Absolutely. However,
I hope that all of us will support anyone who sees the need to fight for the animals,
in whatever way. I hope that we will support anyone who gets arrested for the
animals, even if they decide to pay bail or fines, eat in jail, or whatever. Dialogue
is fine, but censure is not. Emotions run high, but the ties of commitment (to
the animals) should overcome our emotions and our judgementalism. I speak,
incidentally, from experience. I have been arrested many times (50+) for my actions
in opposition to our country's domination system, have spent about two years in
jails and prisons and have totally non-cooperated on multiple occasions. It has
always been difficult, involving significant physical and psychological abuse.
I totally recommend it as a worthwhile experience for anyone who wants to be in
deeper solidarity with all the animals who have no voice, are not fed, are crippled,
etc. More power to all of us who can truly understand this pain. However,
I must admit that I felt much more excited, much more willing to do actions, etc.,
when I intended to (at least) walk and talk-- to attempt to convince the police
officers who were arresting me. I like being cordial, open etc. and find that
police often respond well to this attitude. I believe that both tactics are legitimate
and we should support all animal liberationists, regardless of their method of
dealing with their arrest and the court system in general. Basically, I
come down strongly on the side of solidarity within the movement for animal rights.
Our opposition has the money, the machines, the power. We have right on our side;
let's not soil it by in-fighting. |
