Defend Direct Action
7th July, Huddersfield UK.
Received anonymously via email:
“On the Friday 7th July 2023 I got information about a hunting shed in my local woods (Huddersfield, West Yorkshire UK) I took great offense to the mindless and needless slaughter of innocent creatures, so I went down with my sledgehammer and sent to work, if it gets rebuilt then I shall come down in many more pieces”
The cops are not your friends! Cops are the guardians of the state, and their purpose is to protect property and perpetuate oppression. Therefore the cops will never be on the same side as radical movements, not with anarchists, nor with anyone who fights for the liberation of non-human animals. Some cops will still try to be friendly to you. Don’t go for it! At all times, the cops are trying to gather information, even if they are pretending to be helpful or “just having a chat”! Remember, the cops are your enemy. Therefore you shouldn’t talk to them!
If you still have to deal with the cops, like during an interrogation, it can be good to know the laws of the country where you live, to use them to your advantage. For example, if can you bring a friend as support during interrogation, or if you are entitled to a lawyer, or if you are (or not) allowed to give a No Comment interview.
The cops have different interrogation tactics. For example, they may ask questions about everyday things, to trick you into start talking. They might ask you if you’d like some water, or if the chair is comfortable, or if you need more clothes. Every question is an attempt to build report with you. Don’t fall for their tricks! It is to your and your friends advantage that you remain silent. A good counter-strategy during questioning can be to always answer in the same way. For example, “No Comment”. In this way you make it easier for yourself not to fall for their tactics, and you don’t risk telling the cops anything that could jeopardize the safety of you and your friends.
On arrest, the cops task is to gather information to build a case against you or your comrades. The police station and the setting are all built in order to push you towards talking to them. They might say things like “this is your time to tell me what really happened” or “Now you can tell me your side” or “we know you are innocent you need to help us prove it”. Your innocence (in most countries) is presumed until proven otherwise. You do not need to prove your innocence, and you do not need to give them a single word. Don’t make their job easier. If you feel you need to represent yourself or your actions, it is not at the cop shop but on trial where you might have time to say what you need to say. The cops don’t care, they just want to charge you!
Remember, the cops want to collect information about you and it’s difficult to know in advance what information the cops want and what it might be used for. If nobody talks, everybody walks!
1st July, Netherlands.
“In the night of Saturday July 1st, a group of individuals cut the fence at ecoduct Oud-Reemst in National Park de Veluwe, The Netherlands. With this act, they intend to assist others in their freedom of movement. A freedom that was further contained with the construction of the fence in 2019.
The Veluwe is one of the biggest and wildest pieces of nature that still exists in the Netherlands. An essential habitat and food source for non-humans living in the area. The “foundation” which runs the National Park should not be allowed to make their own zoo out of it.
Since 2019 the ecoduct (a bridge over a road, with the intention to connect two pieces of forest) as well as the faunapassage closeby have been closed by the National Park. In the first instance as a temporary measure to keep wolves out, but now that wolves are living inside the fenced National Park, the crossings are still hermetically closed off.
Here, the population is split and trapped inside with high barbed wire fences that even reach underground, camera surveillance and watch towers for hunters. No one, unless they can fly, can enter or leave without buying the ticket you’re required to have to enter the park. Those caged inside are separated from their families and peers, and face death caused by human hunters. All, according to them, for the anthropocentric and human-invented concept of ‘population control’, but in reality to fuel their bloodlust and hunger for money and power.
A big cage is still a prison, may all prisons perish with the jailers inside!”
The siege of UAV Tactical Systems by Palestine Action has reached day 70 and has largely been affected by the recent air strikes on the Palestinian city of Jenin by the Israeli military in the last couple of week. These killed at least 12 Palestinians, injured more than 100, and forced thousands to flee Jenin refugee camp. Weapon manufacturers in Britain are directly responsible for these, as they provide the Israeli military with the deadly machinery.
PalAction states that on June 21, “the Israeli military used a drone to assassinate three Palestinians in Jenin. An Elbit Hermes 450 carrying missiles was deployed in the extrajudicial execution of Mohammed Owais (28), Suhaib Al-Ghoul (27) and Ashraf Murad Al-Saadi (17). This was the first time a drone was used in an assassination in 21 years.”
Elbit Systems produces 85% of the Israeli military’s drones and labels their weapons as “battle tested” because they have been used by Israel to murder, maim and surveil the Palestinian population in Gaza. During the siege of UAV Tactical Systems as part of the action #ShutElbitDown, the actionists honoured the martyrs of Palestine.
In a further step of criminalising Palestine Action, four actionists have been sentenced to prison for an action against Teledyne Labtech, a supplier of components for missiles, military aircraft and drones, radar systems and more, in December 2022. Their action has dismantled over 1.2million worth of military equipment for Israel’s army. Three of the four actionists have received sentences of 23 months and one for 27 months, with half of the sentences to be served in prison. If you want to write to PalAction activists in prison, drop an email here: [email protected].
In solidarity with these actionists and in preparation for the International day of action for prisoners, over 75 public figures signed a statement demanding the release of the 7 PalAction actionists in prison and for all pending charges for over 100 actionists to be dropped.
To support the international day of action taking place on 22nd July, Palestine Action is asking for all supporters to organise solidarity actions and protests under the banner “Free the actionists”. You can take part by protesting outside your local CPS office or at a company which facilitates the production of Israeli weapons. More information and ideas for different actions you can take can be found here on their website: palestineaction.org/prisoners-day-of-action
Photo: Palestine Action honours the martyrs of Palestine at their siege of UAV Tactical as part of #ShutElbitDown
14th May, Belgium.
Received anonymously via email:
“Animal Liberation Activists went into an intensive egg farm with layer hens kept in battery cages. This time they liberated 55 animals.
All of them get new homes after recuperation and medical treatment.
WE WON’T STOP – Until Every Cage Is Empty”
via: Scenes
2nd July, Atlanta USA.
“On a recent night, 2 groups of friends were feeling a little bored and decided to go on a fun little excursion. One group visited to home of LS3P senior architect Anthony Kenny at 235 Lake Drive in Norcross GA. Another group visited the home of Ambrish Baisiwala, who is on the APF board of trustees and works for Portman Holdings, at 683 Cumberland road NE in Atlanta. Messages were left in paint, tires were slashed. It was a joyful occassion all around. Thank you to the kind people who provided the names and addresses that facilitated this night of fun, particularly the free & rowdy Party. There are many more names and addresses of people making cop city happen that could be the locations of future fun nights for you and your friends if your looking for something to do!
-DTF party planning committee
Submitted Anonymously Over Email“
Dan Baker, vegan and anarchist, has been imprisoned since 2021, but is now finally released from prison!
Dan has been part of the International Freedom Battalion in Rojava. Dan was also active in the George Floyd uprising. In 2021, Dan was sentenced to 44 months in prison, for posting on social media about the importance of self-defense against fascists, during the January 6 riots in Washington, D.C. On July 7, 2023, Dan was finally free, and walked out of prison.
Dan has had a hard time in prison. For example, Dan went on hunger strike, and was also attacked by fascists. Dan is now looking forward to starting a better life outside the prison walls, with friends and loved ones.
Unfortunately, the difficulties are not over for Dan. Dan must immediately find a job and a home. Otherwise, Dan risks being forced back to prison again.
A release fund has been set up to help Dan. It is urgent that the fundraiser quickly reaches its goal. Almost 3k of the 5k USD have already been raised, please join in and help a comrade! You can donate, and read about what Dan needs, in the links below.
Dan Bakers Release fund: https://fundrazr.com/DanBaker2023
Dan Baker – Request For Aid: https://mongoosedistro.com/2023/06/20/request-for-aid-upon-release-from-prison-by-dan-baker/
SOLIDARITY FOREVER
8th May, Santiago, Chile.
via: https://es-contrainfo.espiv.net
ENGLISH (translation)
“As individuals and as an affinity group we decided to destroy and permanently lock padlocks and other keyholes guarding establishments that sell animal products, an industry that profits with the death and exploitation of non human animals. We also decided to glue locks in churches.
The sabotage occurred around central Santiago.
Because we are against all authority.
Let’s keep showing antispeciesist solidarity until all cages are broken!”
SPANISH:
“Individualidades afines decidimos inutilizar y sellar cerraduras y candados en centros de comercialización de productos de origen animal, industria que lucra con la muerte y explotación animal de animales no humanos.
Además, decidimos sellar y molestar a las iglesias.
Los lugares saboteados fueron por zona poniente, centro norte y centro sur de santiago centro.
Porque estamos en contra de toda autoridadA seguir con la solidaridad antiespecista, hasta la destrucción de todas las jaulas!”
30th June, California USA.
via: scenes
“On Friday night (6/30) into Saturday morning (7/1) a total of four Bank of Amerikkka buildings in the Bay Area were vandalized, and a total of five BofA ATMs were smashed in solidarity with the Stop Cop City campaign and struggle to Defend the Atlanta Forrest.
Two BofA buildings in Oakland were tagged with the message “Stop Cop City / ACAB”
Two ATMs on 50 California in San Francisco were sprayed with graffiti that said “Stop Cop City” and the screens were hit with hammers and shattered.
Three ATMs in front of the Bank of Amerikkka in Concord on Sun Valley Blvd. were also smashed with hammers and sprayed with a message in solidarity with the fight against policing and Cop City in Atlanta.”
Photo unrelated to the action
So we forgot that it was our anniversary last month. Oh well, for new and old readers of Unoffensive Animal, we are seven years old already!
Lots have changed since we started. The collective has gone through many iterations, and even this year we were very close to shutting down until a new bunch of people decided to jump on board and revitalise the project!
We keep the same priorities in mind. Prisoner support is the backbone of the movement. Animal liberation and total liberation are one of the same. Fascists are not welcome in the movement. Capitalism must burn for the liberation of all. Also, fuck celery.
We have provided a platform for those who wish to remain anonymous for seven years. We have raised funds for prisoners and for folks facing legal trouble. We’ve given talks, organised events and tried to educate as much as possible on security culture.
We have seen many campaigns succeed, and many more fight extremely hard. It is always incredibly beautiful to see the many shapes that resistance takes when coupled with passionate and creative activists.
Thank you to all who have supported us this far, all of you who were there from the very beginning, and all of you that joined along the way, as well as every single person who has contributed with articles and information and any other support!
Thank you too to those who have kept us afloat with donations. We don’t get paid, but the project is not free, and we keep wanting to support as many prisoners and activists as we possibly can.
Thank you to all who keep fighting in whatever way they feel is best.
PS: on our seventh anniversary we also count with the lowest amount of donations per month. If you can afford it and like what we do, please consider donating, as a one-off or as a monthly donation, every little helps!
Paypal: [email protected]
Patreon: www.patreon.com/animalliberation
UNTIL WE WIN!
Photo: Demonstration in Chile in memory of comrade Mauricio Morales