Terrorists or Freedom Fighters?: Reflections on the Liberation of Animals [Paperback]

Anthony J. Nocella II (Author), Steven Best Ph.D. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2004 | ISBN-10: 159056054X | ISBN-13: 978-1590560549

The first anthology of writings on the history, ethics, politics and tactics of the Animal Liberation Front, Terrorists or Freedom Fighters? features both academic and activist perspectives and offers powerful insights into this international organization and its position within the animal rights movement.

Calling on sources as venerable as Thomas Aquinas and as current as the Patriot Act—and, in some cases, personal experience—the contributors explore the history of civil disobedience and sabotage, and examine the philosophical and cultural meanings of words like "terrorism," "democracy" and "freedom," in a book that ultimately challenges the values and assumptions that pervade our culture. Contributors include Robin Webb, Rod Coronado, Ingrid Newkirk, Paul Watson, Karen Davis, Bruce Friedrich and others.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Too often, scholarly works about social movements seem to have little to do with the movement, while activist works often have little substance. Not this book, which combines both viewpoints. Here, readers have access to the logic and philosophy of animal liberation as well as its practice and reflections on our current social era. Best and Nocella have filled a huge void. Bravo! --Rik Scarce, author of Eco-Warriors: Understanding the Radical Environmental Movement

A serious and essential book on animal liberation theory and practice, a revolutionary bellwether for the Patriot Act political climate of our times and a multiperspectival social critique and defense of animal lives, this book should find a place in university classrooms, activist bookshelves, and Homeland Security offices everywhere. The greatest aspect of this great collection may be its success in generating a foundation for greater understanding and dialogue between those in higher education, in policy organizations and government, and in grassroots groups like the ALF. --Richard Kahn, Ecopedagogy Chair of the UCLA Paulo Freire Institute, and founder of GetVegan.com

An unapologetic, impassioned, articulate and above all, rational defense of the militant tactics and philosophy of those on the front lines to save the earth and all its creatures. This authoritative work ought to be mandatory reading for everyone concerned with the future of creative dissent, radical change, and putting ethics into action. --Ramsey Kanaan, AK Press

From the Back Cover

"Finally, a serious look at the latest liberation movement from both a historical, philosophical and activist perspective. Regardless of what one thinks about the tactics of the Animal Liberation Front, this long overdue book is a must-read for anyone concerned about the future of the movement for animal liberation."--Michael Greger, MD, Chief BSE Investigator for Farm Sanctuary, Mad Cow Coordinator for the Organic Consumers Association

"In a world driven by profit margins, utilitarianism, speciesism, and in this generalized climate of political swindle, Terrorists or Freedom Fighters? speaks truth to power. It is a work destined to shape the politics of a new generation of militant activists."--Peter McLaren, Professor, Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, University of California, Los Angeles, and author of Che Guevara, Paulo Freire, and the Pedagogy of Revolution

"In a century, will people look back on the era of routine human exploitation of non-human animals as we now look at slavery? Moral progress on this front likely will come because of efforts like Terrorists or Freedom Fighters?. This timely collection will help anyone interested in challenging the conventional approach to animals and thinking more generally about the state of our society."--Robert Jensen, Associate Professor, School of Journalism, University of Texas at Austin

"Too often, scholarly works about social movements seem to have little to do with the movement, while activist works often have little substance. Not this book, which combines both viewpoints. Here, readers have access to the logic and philosophy of animal liberation as well as its practice and reflections on our current social era. Best and Nocella have filled a huge void. Bravo!"--Rik Scarce, author of Eco-Warriors: Understanding the Radical Environmental Movement

"Terrorists or Freedom Fighters? exposes readers to compelling ideas that will undoubtedly make them think, and make them question. It is a valuable contribution to the most critical of public discourse.--Bob Linden, GoVeganRadio.com

"An outstanding collection of writings and an excellent antidote for the corporate welfare state's corruptness and propaganda."--Chris Hannah, Propagandhi, co-founder of G7 Records

"A serious and essential book on animal liberation theory and practice, a revolutionary bellwether for the Patriot Act political climate of our times and a multiperspectival social critique and defense of animal lives, this book should find a place in university classrooms, activist bookshelves, and Homeland Security offices everywhere. The greatest aspect of this great collection may be its success in generating a foundation for greater understanding and dialogue between those in higher education, in policy organizations and government, and in grassroots groups like the ALF."--Richard Kahn, Ecopedagogy Chair of the UCLA Paulo Freire Institute, and founder of GetVegan.com

"This groundbreaking collection of essays addresses one of the most important issues of our times: the role of the ALF in the animal liberation movement. By examining the philosophical and ethical underpinnings of the ALF, and by demonstrating that a strong defense can be mounted on behalf of ALF actions and principles, Best and Nocella's volume promises to breathe new life into the debates concerning militant animal activism. This book will be an invaluable resource for teachers, students, and activists interested in animal liberation."--Matthew Calarco, Sweet Briar College

"One of the most powerful and thought-provoking books I have ever read. Please read it and ACT NOW!!!--John Feldmann, Goldfinger

"An important book about the greatest revolution of all time, and a crucial contribution to animal rights literature and current social debates.--Jim Mason, author of An Unnatural Order

"An unapologetic, impassioned, articulate and above all, rational defense of the militant tactics and philosophy of those on the front lines to save the earth and all its creatures. This authoritative work ought to be mandatory reading for everyone concerned with the future of creative dissent, radical change, and putting ethics into action."--Ramsey Kanaan, AK Press --Lantern Books

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 402 pages
• Publisher: Lantern Books (June 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159056054X
• ISBN-13: 978-1590560549
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #807,652 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Anthony J. Nocella II, award-winning author, educator, and peacemaker, is a professor at Hamline University in the School of Education. He recieved his Ph.D. from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University in Social Science. Nocella is a leading scholar in the fields of critical animal studies, disability studies, environmental ethics, urban education, peace and conflict studies, critical pedagogy, and anarchist studies. He is also interested in critical media studies, critical criminology, inclusive education, Quaker pedagogy, urban education, and hip-hop studies. He is also an associate with the Program for the Advancement of Research on Conflict and Collaboration (PARCC). Nocella holds an MA in Peacemaking and Conflict Studies, and a graduate certificate in mediation from Fresno Pacific University, and an MS in Cultural Foundations of Education, an Advanced Certificate in Women's Studies, and an Advanced Certificate in Transnational Conflicts from Syracuse University. He has taught workshops in mediation and tactical analysis, and assisted in a number of legal committees in the North and South America, including working with the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), and Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) in Colombia between 2000 and 2003. He is on the regional board, programming committee, and international board of the Noble Peace Prize winning AFSC. Nocella has provided conflict management and negotiation workshops to NGOs, ROTC, U.S. military, law enforcement, as well as in prisons, juvenile halls, and middle and high schools, in hopes of building peace and providing skills to revert violent conflicts to nonviolent transformation.

Nocella has published more than 25 scholarly articles, co-founded more than 20 active political organizations and serves on 5 boards. He has founded 4 book series and co-founded 4 journals - Green Theory and Praxis, Peace Studies Journal, Journal on Critical Animal Studies, and Journal on Terrorism and Security, is on the editorial board of three other journals, and has published more than 10 books.

He has been interviewed by The New Yorker, Houston Chronicle, Syracuse New Times, Fox, Pacifica Radio, KPFA, KPFT, and many other media outlets.

Anthony has spoken, facilitated, and mediated throughout the Americas including at, for, and with the Onondaga County School District, numerous high schools and middle schools in New York, Hillbrook Youth Detention Facility, Auburn Prison, ROTC, U.S. Military, Sierra Club, Boy Scouts of America, Texas legislature, Environmental Protection Agency, Brock University, UCLA, University of St. Thomas, Hofstra University, New York, New York University Law School, Rutgers University Law School, Syracuse University, Le Moyne College, SUNY, Fredonia, Boston College, University of Pennsylvania, Haverford College, Swarthmore College, University of Texas, Yale University, Princeton University, and throughout Colombia including at the National University in Bogotá.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Taking action for the animals, July 1, 2007

By 

Robert J. Raucci (Belen, NM USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Terrorists or Freedom Fighters?: Reflections on the Liberation of Animals (Paperback)

In this day and age, and especially in this country, where the words "freedom" and "terrorism" have become inextricably linked, "Terrorist or Freedom Fighters, Reflections on the Liberation of Animals" is a sobering reminder of who it is that has never been free and never will be free as long as human ignorance and greed exists.

I probably like many thousands or even millions of people are aware of the atrocities committed on animals, but who always kept those thoughts buried because our culture believes that humans have dominion over the animals. Dominion maybe, but with that power comes an incredible responsibility to care for them and see that they are treated with respect and compassion.

Certainly the mere fact of being a meat eater or wearing any sort of leather clothing would have to invoke some sort of thought regarding the processes whereby animals are turned into a meal or clothing. It doesn't take much of an imagination to envision this action even for some of us with the least creative of imaginations.

The arrogance of the human race is on full view in "Terrorist or Freedom Fighters and editors Steven Best, PhD and Anthony J. Nocella, II assemble a who's who in the animal and environmental rights movements to provide a collection of essays that call attention to the need to liberate animals from the hands of those who would torture, maim, kill and pervert them for sake of human proliferation and superiority.

The reader is given a glimpse into the origins of the radicalized animal liberation movements in both the UK and the US. A group calling itself "Bands of Mercy" began in Britain in 1972. Formed by Ronnie Lee and Cliff Goodman the group took its name from a 19th century youth wing of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA). Their mission was simple, to take direct action against the deadly practice of fox hunts calling it "active compassion." After being arrested and imprisoned in 1974, Lee and Goodman split up in 1976. Goodman decided to take the legal route to animal liberation but Lee knew better. It was time for a revolution. Together with the remnants of the "Bands of Mercy" and two dozen new recruits, Lee formed the "Animal Liberation Front"(ALF). It wasn't until six years later that America got its own "Animal Liberation Front," its first direct action being the liberation of over thirty cats from the labs of Howard University.

None of the essays are gratuitous in their depiction of the horrors committed on animals - but the few words that do describe how we as humans treat animals provide compelling evidence of why direct action by groups such as the ALF is necessary.

Other essays cover everything from why direct action is necessary or unnecessary, the use "consequent anger" from a review of methods employed by St. Thomas Aquinas, to the comparison of ALF to the Jewish resistance movement of World War II and Abolitionist movement during the 1800's.

Some essays are anonymous such as one from the Western Wildlife Unit of the ALF talking about "what a handful of warriors can do" and what they must do. Others are personal such as the essay by Rod Coronado an ALF member. Written with passion and emotion, Coronado gives an account of his direct actions and his subsequent encounters with the FBI.

Perhaps the most disturbing and for me, most depressing, is the last essay by Best himself entitled, "It's War! The Escalating Battle Between Activists and the Corporate-State Complex." It details for us what only few know or even want to know - how our liberties have been eroded for the sake of security, empiricism, jingoism and corporate interest. And I can see how we as Americans have bought into it. Best says, "a new civil war is unfolding-one between forces hell-bent on exploiting animals and the earth for profit whatever the toll, and the activists steeled to resist this omnicide tooth and nail." It was at this point in the book that I began wondering if the guys who took action in the Boston Tea Party were rolling in their graves.

Best describes the steps the government has taken in clamping down on anyone who even utters "a discouraging word" against it. Indeed it seems as though the skies in America are "cloudy all day." He defines the government's definition of terrorism and gives ample example as to why anyone with the slightest intention of standing up for the animals, or the planet or anything for that matter, needs to think twice and then think again. I for one was extremely appreciative of this chapter.

This book, no, this handbook, is a must read for anyone who has even the slightest intention of standing up and speaking out for the liberation of all animals. It is a primer for the cause of animal liberation and the direct action that is needed to meet that end.

When George W. Bush uttered those famous words, "you're either with us or against us" little did he realize that he was speaking on behalf of the ALF and other groups whose mission is one of compassion for all animals, to take direct action in liberating a species who knows all too well what it's like to be on the short end of the stick.

28 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars thought-provoking, powerful, inspiring, January 18, 2004

By 

Charles Patterson (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Terrorists or Freedom Fighters?: Reflections on the Liberation of Animals (Paperback)

This is an anthology of essays by leading members of the animal rights movement about the tactics and goals of the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) and about the animal liberation movement generally.

The ALF, whom the editors describe as "human activists who risk their own liberty to rescue and aid animals imprisoned in the worst forms of hell warped human minds can devise," is an anonymous, decentralized, underground network of people willing to take immediate and decisive action to save animals and confront those who exploit and kill them.

Convinced that the time for moderation, delay, and compromise is over, these activists are unwilling to "fiddle while the earth burns and animal bodies pile up by the billions."

The wide range of authors represented here include university professors, members of the aboveground part of the animal rights movement like PETA's Ingrid Newkirk, and former ALF members such as Ron Coronado, Gary Yourofsky, and Freeman Wicklund.

This book will open your eyes, and it may even change your life. I recommend it highly.

--reviewed by Charles Patterson, author of ETERNAL TREBLINKA: Our Treatment of Animals and the Holocaust

28 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lucid analysis of direct action on behalf of animals, March 25, 2004

By 

J. Miele (New Mexico) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Terrorists or Freedom Fighters?: Reflections on the Liberation of Animals (Paperback)

This scholarly work thoroughly explains the philosophy behind the Animal Liberation Front and its parallel to direct action activists of other social movements. After reading this book only those with a vested interest in perpetuating the forms of animals abuse that are commonplace in today's society will fail to see that the same issues that emancipated human slaves and paved the way for women's rights are being addressed by animal activists who risk their freedom and liberty to bring justice to those who suffer only because they were born to a mother of another species.

Those with open minds will have a greater understanding of the Animal Liberation activists who act out of a sense of altruism, and of the forces at work to deny both animals and humans their very basic rights.