Everybody has their own way of doing something; their own angle if you like. That was true over 30 years ago when I first became vegan and a hunt sab. There were those that just disagreed with hunting, then there was the League Against Cruel Sports who actively campaigned against it, then there were us sabs, out there in the field getting dirty and bloody saving ginger dogs there and then. All working towards the common cause in their own way.
Most of the sabs I knew back then were vegans too and for predominantly animal rights reasons (it certainly wasn’t health reasons judging by the booze and smokes consumed by some at the time but then maybe that was a coping mechanism!). That was their vegan niche. Sabs, vegans, environmentalists; everybody has their own angle; their own niche and that is definitely true with the whole new generation of climate change identifiers.
I’m still vegan for all the reasons I was back along (not just animal rights) but it seems the environmental reasons can well and truly be brought out and dusted off as one of the more populous ones now and one that, unlike years ago, is actually being listened to more. Despite this resurgence in interest in veganism as an environmentally positive solution there are still plenty of people unaware of this or unwilling to engage with this fact, including some climate change activists. It comes back to niches and angles again. All have their valued views and approaches. Some are happy with a bit of recycling, some buy electric cars, some march the streets with placards full of engaging facts and quotes; but the lifestyle change to veganism remains the big ‘elephant in the room’ for many.
Animal Rebellion was born out of the frustration of many activists that more immediate action could be taken by every individual by making the change to a plant based lifestyle. Despite this frustration however and, much like the League Against Cruel Sports and the Hunt Saboteurs Association, the relationship between Extinction Rebellion and Animal Rebellion is one of solidarity towards the common cause. Indeed AR credit XR with sparking up the widespread public conversation about the climate crisis through peaceful protest. Naturally niches formed within XR and spawned AR.
Animal Rebellion aren’t just there to spread the vegan argument to individuals however. Despite the massive growth in veganism on an individual scale over recent years, it is deemed to still not be responsive enough to the climate crisis. Animal Rebellion are therefore targeting a more systematic change by putting mass pressure on the government to recognise and act against the current destructive animal based and exploitative food system. AR is also thinking beyond the environmental factors by highlighting anti-speciesism and exploitation as part of the same broken social and political system.
There have already been a number of smaller events held by Animal Rebellion around the country in recent weeks but this coming week, starting Monday 7th October, sees the biggest and most ambitious to date. Potentially thousands of rebels are planning to meet and occupy key sites across London. Meeting at 11am on Monday in Russell Square, Bloomsbury; training, guidance and details will be offered before the rebellion moves in the afternoon to Smithfield Market, London's largest and most historic meat market. An overnight occupation will follow where the vision of a plant based food system will be shared. The message will then be taken to Westminster with a further occupation at the Garden City, just across from the Department of Environmental, Food and Rural Affairs.
The clear and peaceful message from Animal Rebellion will be represented by the masses that attend and, with music, performances, dancing, vegan food and community building activities it looks like being far more than just standing around with placards. Some rebels will partake in non violent civil disobedience, with some likely arrests. In anticipation of this there will also be the opportunity to learn new skills to deal with these situations. Again, this comes down to what your angle is and where your comfort zone sits within the rebellion but the most important thing for the success of the Animal Rebellion is the number of people who attend, in whatever capacity.
To find out more, sign up or prepare for the Animal Rebellion next week, check out Animal Rebellion. For those who want to get involved but are unable to attend the rebellion in London, there are Animal Rebellion communities all over the country including our very own Cornish community and one just across the border in Devon, amongst others in the south west.
There have already been a number of smaller events held by Animal Rebellion around the country in recent weeks but this coming week, starting Monday 7th October, sees the biggest and most ambitious to date. Potentially thousands of rebels are planning to meet and occupy key sites across London. Meeting at 11am on Monday in Russell Square, Bloomsbury; training, guidance and details will be offered before the rebellion moves in the afternoon to Smithfield Market, London's largest and most historic meat market. An overnight occupation will follow where the vision of a plant based food system will be shared. The message will then be taken to Westminster with a further occupation at the Garden City, just across from the Department of Environmental, Food and Rural Affairs.
The clear and peaceful message from Animal Rebellion will be represented by the masses that attend and, with music, performances, dancing, vegan food and community building activities it looks like being far more than just standing around with placards. Some rebels will partake in non violent civil disobedience, with some likely arrests. In anticipation of this there will also be the opportunity to learn new skills to deal with these situations. Again, this comes down to what your angle is and where your comfort zone sits within the rebellion but the most important thing for the success of the Animal Rebellion is the number of people who attend, in whatever capacity.
To find out more, sign up or prepare for the Animal Rebellion next week, check out Animal Rebellion. For those who want to get involved but are unable to attend the rebellion in London, there are Animal Rebellion communities all over the country including our very own Cornish community and one just across the border in Devon, amongst others in the south west.
That's an interesting article!
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