The Archives

• No Compromise, Periodicals

  No Compromise #12-14

  05.15.12 | Permalink

  No Compromise #12-14 (1999, Old Bridge, NJ and Santa Cruz, CA)

  If I had to create a list of my favorite years in animal and earth liberation history, 1999 would be in the top 5. As the movement looked towards the new millennium there seemed to be an intense urgency in the air, perhaps people felt the need to close the 20th century with a bang or leave their mark before the world ended in a technological melt down on Y2K! Whatever the reasons, direct action reached a fever pitch. Lab raids returned to the United States, the Earth Liberation Front continued it’s ascendancy, Hillgrove farm was shut forever, and everyone seemed to be preparing for the World Trade Organization ministerial in Seattle. Across the globe there was a sense that people were not going to take it anymore, and whether you were struggling against bio-technology or prisons or speciesism, chances are good that you were employing some form of illegal tactic.

  No Compromise may not have covered everything going on in the global struggle, but if it was animal lib related then chances are it was covered in these three issues. From the death of Alex Slack to end of the annual Hegins pigeon massacre, you’d be hard pressed to find a more complete overview of these twelve action packed months.

  

  …

• Periodicals

  Desperately Seeking Old Newsletters!

  02.17.12 | Permalink

  In Defense of Animals spring 1990 (Mill Valley, CA)

  A few years ago when SHAC 7 defendant Jake Conroy was being released from prison he was trying to set up a job in the outside world, not always an easy thing for a felon to accomplish. Luckily, some old friends knew the folks at In Defense of Animals, once one of the largest animal rights groups in the country. They were initially interested in hiring Jake, but after one staff member, Hope Purplehorse, heard about his possible employment soon a campaign was started within the office focused around rhetoric of “violence” and “terrorism” that almost could have come from an animal abuse industry handbook. The job offer was rescinded and Jake, a dedicated and brilliant activist with more than 15 years of experience, had to find work elsewhere.

  If you are new to the animal liberation movement this won’t surprise you. National organizations almost seem to trip over their own feet these days to prove to our opposition and an apathetic public how reasonable and “mainstream” they are. This wasn’t always the case though. In Defense of Animals, for example, was founded after it’s president, a veterinarian by the name of Elliot Katz, sat down to dinner with Jonathan Paul and Cres Velluci, both of whom have served time for animal liberation activity. They recommended that he start an organization along the lines of Last Chance for Animals in Los Angeles, and Katz agreed. In the early days of IDA the group participated heavily in civil disobedience actions and organized mass demonstrations where disruptions and building takeovers were often par for the course. Later into the 90s they gave money to groups that utilized aggressive pressure tactics, such as Animal Rights Direct Action Coalition and Coalition to Free the Langur Monkeys, and also sponsored media stunts like the banner hangs at UC Berkeley carried out by Josh Trenter and Mike Kennedy.

  The early energy of the group strengthened the movement, increased excitement among In Defense of Animals membership, and produced excellent results for non-humans. IDA was far from unique- in their early years PETA, Fund for Animals, Trans-Species Unlimited, Last Chance for Animals, and many others shared a similar radicalism, some even going so far as to openly support lab break ins and property damage. Unfortunately, as some underground groups carried out actions that were altogether unsupportable, and industry groups got more savvy, a wedge was driven between direct action oriented individuals and national organizations.

  Conflict Gypsy would like to explore the history and process of national organizations withdrawing their support from radicalism and it’s consequences for the movement and the animals. We are seeking early issues of PeTA’s Animal Times, In Defense of Animals newletters, and similar publications for an upcoming series of posts. If you have these publications please contact us at conflictgypsy(at)gmail(dot)com

  

  …

TALON is a soon to be rebranded archive of animal and earth liberation publications. This site is currently being maintained but please expect to see the collection at a new home soon. sponsors and supporters

disclaimer

The Talon Conspiracy is an online archive preserving the history of protest movements for animal rights and environmentalism. Its owners, contributors, and designers are not responsible for actions taken by third parties which may be harmful or unlawful to the individuals or entities named in archived publications. This web site is provided for the purpose of historical research and analysis, and is not intended to incite, encourage, or condone any criminal action on the part of its readers. Finally, The Talon Conspiracy does not necessarily agree with any of the views expressed in the publications in our archive, but aims to provide a thorough collection of the history of eco direct action. All opinions expressed in our archives are those of their original authors only.