ALFALFAnimal Liberation Animal Liberation

FrontFront

By: Maricela ValentinBy: Maricela Valentin

Alejandra SerranoAlejandra Serrano

Jaime HernandezJaime Hernandez

DefinitionDefinition

These extremists have These extremists have used arson, used arson, harassment, direct harassment, direct threats, animal threats, animal releases, and razor releases, and razor blade letters to blade letters to intimidate individuals intimidate individuals and businesses to and businesses to preserve to be abusive preserve to be abusive to animals, or to animals, or destructive to the destructive to the environmentenvironment

IdeologyIdeology

The ALF’s ideologyThe ALF’s ideology

is one of the unbarring is one of the unbarring

support for the support for the

liberation of captive liberation of captive

animals by any means, animals by any means,

including criminal including criminal

activity.activity.

DemographicsDemographics‘An Interview with David ‘An Interview with David

Barbarash’Barbarash’ Since it's an underground movement, the Since it's an underground movement, the

precise demographics is obviously unknownprecise demographics is obviously unknown Basic idea based on who's been arrested Basic idea based on who's been arrested

and convicted and convicted There've been a fair number of studies There've been a fair number of studies

done on the animal rights movement, and done on the animal rights movement, and they used to say the average animal rights they used to say the average animal rights activist was a middle-aged, middle-class activist was a middle-aged, middle-class white woman. Not sure that's still true white woman. Not sure that's still true

Doesn’t consider themselves as a Terrorist Doesn’t consider themselves as a Terrorist group ‘hence, where’s the body count?’group ‘hence, where’s the body count?’

Contd. (Interview)Contd. (Interview) ““And I also know that if we give a shit about And I also know that if we give a shit about

anything else besides ourselves and our money, anything else besides ourselves and our money, then we need to start doing something, whether it's then we need to start doing something, whether it's joining the ALF or ELF underground, writing a letter, joining the ALF or ELF underground, writing a letter, picketing in front of a fur store, or stopping a Wal-picketing in front of a fur store, or stopping a Wal-mart from coming into your community. Simply mart from coming into your community. Simply being born a biological human doesn't being born a biological human doesn't automatically make you a human being and give automatically make you a human being and give you membership in human society. In order to you membership in human society. In order to become fully human and to be a member of any become fully human and to be a member of any sort of human society we would care to join, we sort of human society we would care to join, we have to take responsibility - take active have to take responsibility - take active responsibility - for the actions of our species and of responsibility - for the actions of our species and of our selves. Sitting on the fence just doesn't cut it. our selves. Sitting on the fence just doesn't cut it. You might as well be dead”. David Barbarash, 2002You might as well be dead”. David Barbarash, 2002

AFL in the USAFL in the US ALF activists in the US have generally cohered to ALF activists in the US have generally cohered to

the movement started mandate of protecting the movement started mandate of protecting human life during the course of the “direct human life during the course of the “direct actions” while some simultaneously causing actions” while some simultaneously causing severe economic danger to varying retailers, fur severe economic danger to varying retailers, fur farmers, laboratories in the US.farmers, laboratories in the US.

The Animal Liberation Front isn't really an The Animal Liberation Front isn't really an organization, but more of an international organization, but more of an international movement of animal liberation activists who movement of animal liberation activists who believe conventional methods of protest aren't believe conventional methods of protest aren't enough to obtain the goals of animal liberation, enough to obtain the goals of animal liberation, and that there is a moral justification for taking and that there is a moral justification for taking action outside the law. action outside the law.

OriginsOrigins

ALF’s roots can be traced in 19ALF’s roots can be traced in 19thth century, century, and a small group of activists called the and a small group of activists called the ‘Bands of Mercy’. Set up in 1824‘Bands of Mercy’. Set up in 1824

1965, the group was re-created, calling 1965, the group was re-created, calling themselves ‘Hunt Saboteurs Association’themselves ‘Hunt Saboteurs Association’

They layed false scents, blew hunting They layed false scents, blew hunting horns to send the hounds in the wrong horns to send the hounds in the wrong direction, set off smoke bombs, and direction, set off smoke bombs, and members lay down between the hunters members lay down between the hunters and the fox. and the fox.

Mission/ObjectiveMission/Objective

The ALF Mission Statement:The ALF Mission Statement: To To effectively allocate resources (time effectively allocate resources (time and money) to end the "property" and money) to end the "property" status of nonhuman animals. status of nonhuman animals.

The Objective of the Mission:The Objective of the Mission: To To abolish institutionalized animal abolish institutionalized animal exploitation because it assumes that exploitation because it assumes that animals are property.animals are property.

ALF’s AimsALF’s Aims According to Robin Webb, the ALF's British press officer, the ALF's stated aims According to Robin Webb, the ALF's British press officer, the ALF's stated aims

are:are:

1. To liberate animals from suffering or potential suffering and place them in good 1. To liberate animals from suffering or potential suffering and place them in good permanent homes or, where appropriate, release them into their natural environment. permanent homes or, where appropriate, release them into their natural environment.

2. To damage or destroy property and equipment associated with animal abuse by 2. To damage or destroy property and equipment associated with animal abuse by (a) taking that property out of the arena of animal (a) taking that property out of the arena of animal abuse so it can no longer cause harm, and abuse so it can no longer cause harm, and (b) inflicting economic loss on the abusers with the (b) inflicting economic loss on the abusers with the intention of driving them out of business. intention of driving them out of business.

Acts of Domestic TerrorismActs of Domestic Terrorism December 2000, 11 luxury December 2000, 11 luxury

homes under construction homes under construction in Phoenix, Arizona were in Phoenix, Arizona were destroyed by arson. destroyed by arson.

Each of the arson’s Each of the arson’s occurred during the occurred during the evening hours.evening hours.

Warnings left at three of Warnings left at three of the arson sites were signed the arson sites were signed at either the “Coalition to at either the “Coalition to Save the Preserve” or the Save the Preserve” or the “C.S.P., North Phoenix “C.S.P., North Phoenix Mountain Preserves Unit”.Mountain Preserves Unit”.

Property damages Property damages associated with the arsons associated with the arsons is estimated in excess of is estimated in excess of $5 million dollars.$5 million dollars.

Acts of Domestic Terrorism Acts of Domestic Terrorism Cont.Cont.

NOVEMBER 12, 2001NOVEMBER 12, 2001 Burglary and VandalismBurglary and Vandalism San Diego, California San Diego, California (One act of Domestic Terrorism)(One act of Domestic Terrorism)           On November 12, 2001, the San Diego (California) Police On November 12, 2001, the San Diego (California) Police

Department responded to a burglary and vandalism report Department responded to a burglary and vandalism report at Sierra Biomedical. A Sierra Biomedical van was covered at Sierra Biomedical. A Sierra Biomedical van was covered with red paint and graffiti referencing the ALF. It was with red paint and graffiti referencing the ALF. It was subsequently determined that toxic chemicals believed to subsequently determined that toxic chemicals believed to be acid and bleach had been deliberately poured be acid and bleach had been deliberately poured throughout the research facility. Additional graffiti in black throughout the research facility. Additional graffiti in black spray paint stating that “VIVISECTION IS FRAUD” and “THE spray paint stating that “VIVISECTION IS FRAUD” and “THE ALF WAS HERE” was also found at the facility. Damages ALF WAS HERE” was also found at the facility. Damages were estimated to exceed $500,000. The ALF claimed were estimated to exceed $500,000. The ALF claimed responsibility for this incident via an e-mail sent to the vice responsibility for this incident via an e-mail sent to the vice president and general manager of Sierra Biomedical. president and general manager of Sierra Biomedical.

Visalia, CaliforniaVisalia, California

(One act of Domestic Terrorism)(One act of Domestic Terrorism)           In the early morning of February 20, 2001, the In the early morning of February 20, 2001, the

Tulare County (California) Fire Department Tulare County (California) Fire Department responded to a suspicious fire at the Delta and responded to a suspicious fire at the Delta and Pine Pine

Land Company in Visalia. Damage to the facility Land Company in Visalia. Damage to the facility was estimated to exceed $200,000. On February was estimated to exceed $200,000. On February 25, 2001, the ELF claimed responsibility for the 25, 2001, the ELF claimed responsibility for the arson via an “Urgent News Advisory” on its web arson via an “Urgent News Advisory” on its web site. The advisory described how the arson was site. The advisory described how the arson was carried out. In its claim of responsibility, the ELF carried out. In its claim of responsibility, the ELF stated that the company was targeted due to its stated that the company was targeted due to its work with genetically engineered seeds. work with genetically engineered seeds.

Terrorism by EventTerrorism by Event

Terrorist Activity by Terrorist Activity by ClassificationClassification

VictimsVictims

The victims include but are not The victims include but are not limited to Farmers and Realtors, limited to Farmers and Realtors, research laboratories personnel, research laboratories personnel, cruisers, zoos, fast food restaurants, cruisers, zoos, fast food restaurants, forestry, and large corporations.forestry, and large corporations.

Animal Liberation Front declared war Animal Liberation Front declared war on fur farmers and was going all out on fur farmers and was going all out in an intense campaign for mink in an intense campaign for mink liberation. liberation.

On June 7On June 7thth the A.L.F. made their first the A.L.F. made their first attack against a Utah fur farm. attack against a Utah fur farm. – ““No fur products sold here anymore”.No fur products sold here anymore”.

Fur WarsFur Wars

Fur WarsFur WarsContd.Contd.

On June, A.L.F. struck in Washington On June, A.L.F. struck in Washington state, which 80 minks were liberated. state, which 80 minks were liberated.

On July 4On July 4thth, Langley, British Columbia , Langley, British Columbia the A.L.F. raided the Akagami mink the A.L.F. raided the Akagami mink ranch and released 400 animals.ranch and released 400 animals.

On the same night, they raided the On the same night, they raided the Latzig mink ranch in Howard Lake, Latzig mink ranch in Howard Lake, Minnesota. Another 1000 mink were Minnesota. Another 1000 mink were liberated. liberated.

Fur Wars Fur Wars Contd.Contd.

The next target was Holt Mink Ranch in The next target was Holt Mink Ranch in South Jordan, Utah. South Jordan, Utah.

- Utah fur farmers were scared, which lead - Utah fur farmers were scared, which lead them to install heavy duty fencing with them to install heavy duty fencing with aluminum plates along the top that make a aluminum plates along the top that make a lot of noise when someone tries to go over lot of noise when someone tries to go over them. them.

- A.L.F. took it apart, cut it down, and rolled - A.L.F. took it apart, cut it down, and rolled up. They also smashed the new locks on all up. They also smashed the new locks on all of the cages, 3000 mink were released, but of the cages, 3000 mink were released, but police group arrived and the group had to police group arrived and the group had to evacuate. evacuate.

- $35, 000 of damage- $35, 000 of damage

La Fur ProtestLa Fur Protest

On February 11, 2006,On February 11, 2006,

there was an anti-fur there was an anti-fur

protest in downtown protest in downtown

Los Angeles (Chinatown).Los Angeles (Chinatown).

LSU Rat LiberationLSU Rat Liberation

On April 22, 2005, in Louisiana State On April 22, 2005, in Louisiana State University, members of A.L.F. broke University, members of A.L.F. broke into the lab and removed 21 mice. into the lab and removed 21 mice.

Aquariums were smashed, windows Aquariums were smashed, windows broken and paint stripper poured on broken and paint stripper poured on outer walls. Spray paint was used for outer walls. Spray paint was used for slogans and further vandalism of the slogans and further vandalism of the labs, and the locks were glued on labs, and the locks were glued on doors to any rooms that housed no doors to any rooms that housed no animals. animals.

LSU Rat LiberationLSU Rat Liberation

““We acted as operatives not only of We acted as operatives not only of compassion, but good science. Animal compassion, but good science. Animal research is not only cruel but hazardous research is not only cruel but hazardous -- as data derived from the animal -- as data derived from the animal models is not applicable to humans and models is not applicable to humans and therefore dangerous”.therefore dangerous”.

““Our aim in inflicting as much economic Our aim in inflicting as much economic damage as possible is to drive up the damage as possible is to drive up the cost of animal experimentation until this cost of animal experimentation until this sadistic psuedo-science is no longer sadistic psuedo-science is no longer economically feasible”.economically feasible”.

LSU Rat LiberationLSU Rat LiberationContd.Contd.

Free Dogs ActFree Dogs Act

On December 5, 2001 in New York, On December 5, 2001 in New York, ALF raided Marshall Farm York.ALF raided Marshall Farm York.

- Marshall Farm is a breeder of - Marshall Farm is a breeder of beagles and ferrets for animal beagles and ferrets for animal research laboratories across the U.S. research laboratories across the U.S. Huntingdon Life Sciences. Huntingdon Life Sciences.

ALF liberated 30 beagle dogs and 10 ALF liberated 30 beagle dogs and 10 ferrets. ferrets.

Free Dogs ActFree Dogs ActContd.Contd.

ReferencesReferences ALF.com/aflmission.htm. Retrieved February 23, 2006ALF.com/aflmission.htm. Retrieved February 23, 2006 www.FBI.comwww.FBI.com. Retrieved March 1, 2006. Retrieved March 1, 2006 www.animalliberationfront.comwww.animalliberationfront.com. Retrieved March 4, . Retrieved March 4,

2006.2006. http://www.derrickjensen.org/barb.htmlhttp://www.derrickjensen.org/barb.html. Retrieved . Retrieved

March 5, 2006March 5, 2006 www.en.wikipedia.org/www.en.wikipedia.org/. Retrieved on March 1, 2006.. Retrieved on March 1, 2006. www.furcommission.comwww.furcommission.com. Retrieved on February 27, . Retrieved on February 27,

2006.2006. United Sates., Congress House., et al. (2002United Sates., Congress House., et al. (2002)) Eco-Eco-

terrorism and lawlessness on the national forests : terrorism and lawlessness on the national forests : oversight hearing before the Subcommittee on Forests oversight hearing before the Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health of the Committee on Resources, U.S. and Forest Health of the Committee on Resources, U.S. House of Representatives. House of Representatives. Washington, DC : U.S. G.P.OWashington, DC : U.S. G.P.O