Animal Liberation Press Office
gvp@animalliberationpressoffice.org
- What social movements/social movement organizations have you been a part of throughout your life?
“I have been involved in groups such as the Green Party, the I.W.W. (Industrial Workers of the World), Hudson Valley Earth First!, Support work and advisor for North American Animal Liberation Press Office, GreenPeace, ( financial supporter for a short time) In addition I’ve also have done many benefit shows and performances with my music projects for groups and events like: legal support for marriage equality activists in New York in 2004, Rock Against Racism, Green Party Support Shows, Rock the Vote, Organizing an Earth First! Benefit album and benefit concerts.”
2. Was there an event in your life that you can single out that mobilized you to become active in these social movements, or was it a series of things?
“As it is for many people a series of events in my life motivated me to become active in various social movements, seeing the injustices of the torturing and killing of animals, and the destruction of the environment. I grew up enjoying nature and was devastated seeing forests cleared for housing, senseless pollution in local rivers and lakes, and the killing of innocent animals by hunters for “sport”. I felt helpless, that there was nothing I could do to help stop the nature that I love from being destroyed. Then I discovered there were people and groups who shared the same beliefs and passions in defending the earth and animals.”
3. What do you know about the framing approach of “total liberation” and how do you feel about it?
“I would say that insofar as the framing of “total liberation” is concerned most, if not all, struggles are tightly intertwined. Eco-defense and the animal rights movement, for example, are ultimately one fight against destruction of the earth, against the oppression animals, a fight for self-liberation, and ultimately total liberation. Freeing oneself from preconceived notions, stereo types, and the pressures of the status quo. The absolute freedom to act, believe, and fight for these beliefs. The concept of total liberation encourages all liberation movements to coordinate and work together. Total liberation is the fundamental framework of empowerment for those engaged in the struggle for total liberation. Freeing minds from artificial societal constructs designed to perpetuate the dominant paradigm. Allowing for the focusing on the actions and strategies necessary for the furtherance of the aforementioned struggles and subversion of said paradigm.”
4. Why, if at all, do you favor organizations that employ the use of direct-action and sabotage?
“Groups that employ direct action as a strategy are in essence the ‘boots on the ground’ of the broader struggle. Following the “legal”, or “government approved” forms of activism, such as, petitions, peaceful protests, writing letters to your elected officials, are just not effective enough to have any sort of real impact or engender fundamental change. Most effective is taking the fight directly to the ones who are responsible, in the form of direct action or sabotage, whatever form that happens to be in.”
5. Have there been times that felt burnt out as an activist, and if so, then what kept you motivated?
“Activists, generally speaking, are playing the long game. Keeping that perspective helps to focus the mind. Motivation for continuing to fight the good fight come in many forms. Activist support networks play a key role in providing the needed motivation to press on. Knowing that wars are ultimately won, not by winning in one fell swoop, but accumulating victories in individual battles sufficient enough to win the war.”
6. Can you describe some demonstrations/protests/direct action events you’ve been involved in with any of the groups you’ve mentioned that really stick out to you?
“There is a broad range of endeavors and protests, in general, that I have supported and continue to support. Any and all activities that help to further the goals of the various movements are always memorable.”
7. Overall, how would you describe your time as an activist? What are the best and worst parts of living a life dedicated to activism?
“For every Activist there are highs and lows. The key is to have the highs be more numerous than the lows.”
8. What is the best way for people interested in animal and earth liberation to get involved in the collective fight?
“Who Dares Wins! If one would like to get more involved here are some helpful links!”
https://animalliberationpressoffice.org/NAALPO/
http://earthfirstjournal.org/