The North American Animal Liberation Press Office

Environmental, Animal Activist James Jae Lee Executed by Police After Washington DC-Area Seige Sep 01 Police shot and killed a man Wednesday afternoon nearly four hours after he took hostages on the first floor of the headquarters of Discovery Communications in Silver Spring, MD, just outside Washington, DC. None of the hostages were hurt. James Lee was no stranger to Discovery Communications. He had previously been under a court order to stay away from the company's headquarters following his arrest at a 2008 demonstration which he organized. WUSA-TV (CBS) Washington, DC interviewed two men who knew Lee from the homeless shelter where he once lived. They said he was a friendly guy, but passionate about animal rights and environmental causes. On a website , Lee had posted a manifesto railing against human overpopulation and for preserving animal species. “The humans? The planet does not need humans,” he said. Rather, he said, “Saving the environment and the remaning [sic] species diversity of the planet is now your mindset. Nothing is more important than saving them. Read more news accounts here.

Animal Liberation Investigation Unit Exposes Atrocities at Primate Products, Inc.Aug 27 The Animal Liberation Investigation Unit has obtained damning photographs from within Primate Products, Inc. (www.primateproducts.com) in Miami, Florida. The photographs (here) reveal the true faces of vivisection and the global primate trade.

Trial Date Set for Alleged University of Iowa Animal LiberationistAug 23 An activist accused of conspiracy in the 2004 liberation of 400 animals from a laboratory at the University of Iowa has had a trial date set for September 13. At Monday's hearing, Scott Demuth's attorney Deutsch cited “acts of deceit” by the government, claiming prosecutors have refused to release evidence such as photographs and police reports to the defense. “I don't know what the government's case is,” he said. “I believe the government can't prove their case.”

Prisoner Walter Bond's Official Statement- It is Not a Metaphorical Holocaust That They Suffer...Aug 18 "My name is Walter Bond and I am currently incarcerated in Golden, Colorado for alleged A.L.F. activity. The mainstream media has done its best to vilify and discredit me. Not at all surprising since we animal liberationist activists represent a threat to the status quo and the blood trades they currently support. Therefore any animal liberation activist who is effectively standing up against these mechanized evils is going to face government intimidation and persecution. I am undeterred and unbowed in my desire to live in a world free from animal abuse and exploitation. And so I would like to say a few brief words to my supporters and to my enemies." (Read the rest of his statement here.)

ALF Resurfaces in Guadalajara, Mexico Aug 7 The Frente de Liberación Animal claim two sabotages against animal exploiting businesses in Guadalajara, Mexico which we decided to carry out due to the disappearance of direct action in our city. The actions: We spray-painted slogans in black on a poultry and egg transport trailer. The slogans painted were 'Eggs = Torture', 'Animals are not objects to use and consume, they were born to be free!' and 'ALF.' After painting, we fled into the night. We (again) painted a 'Eukanuba' pet store. Their metal shutters which cover the windows were painted with slogans like 'No more using and profiting from animals', 'This company profits from the enslavement and torture of animals, do not buy from them' and 'ALF'. We want to clarify that these actions are simple and symbolic but we decided to not just talk but instead to attempt to make a change in the things they do to our brothers and sisters and the earth. We send abolitionist greetings to our comrade Diego Alonso who decided to evade the orders that the state issued in our own city by living how he wants to live. --Frente de Liberación Animal/Animal Liberation Front, Guadalajara México

Accused ALF Prisoner Walter Bond Speaks Out; His Brother Was ATF Informant Aug 5 In his first written statement from jail, the accused A.L.F. “Lone Wolf” reveals new details about his case. In a new letter from jail (excerpts posted below), Walter Bond addresses several lingering questions surrounding his A.L.F. case. Among them, the circumstances of his arrest, quotes made about him by “friends” to the media, and: the identity of the informant who set him up. Bond sits in jail on arson and Animal Enterprise Terrorism charges, accused of being the Animal Liberation Front “Lone Wolf”, responsible for three arsons at animal abuse targets in Utah and Colorado. To date, Bond has been charged only in the Denver Sheepskin Factory arson. (read more)

Earth Liberation Front Strikes in Solidarity with Prisoner Walter Bond July 31 On the night of July 27 we made a bonfire with property belonging to destroyers of the Earth. In the Dinamos woods in the Magdalena Contreras section of Mexico City, there is an urban expansion project that is still in the early stages of construction. It involves the creation of deep wells that would take water from the river with the goal of urban expansion and anthropocentric progress. This action dedicated to the animal liberation warrior in the United States, Walter Bond, recently jailed for three fires against animal exploitation companies. Dedicated as well in support of Leo in Italy, and to Adrian and Abraham. -- Frente de Liberación de la Tierra /Earth Liberation Front

Activist Jordan Halliday Enters Guilty Plea to Federal Contempt Charge July 27 The founder of an animal-rights group pleaded guilty Tuesday to contempt of court for refusing to testify about attacks on mink farms. Jordan Halliday admitted he disobeyed an order by U.S. District Judge Tena Campbell to testify before a grand jury. Halliday is slated to be sentenced Oct. 19 by U.S. District Judge Ted Stewart. A contempt of court offense is unique: It's neither misdemeanor nor felony, and there is no maximum punishment set by law. Stewart has the right to impose whatever sentence he believes is appropriate.

Astoria, Oregon Fur Farm Destroyed by Arson July 27 In an anonymous communique received by the North American Animal Liberation Press Office, animal liberation activists have taken credit for the destruction of Ylipelto Mink Farm in Astoria, Oregon. The farm has been the target of 2 previous raids by animal liberationists; the first occurred in October 2008, when 1,500 mink were released in a raid claimed by the “Vegan Straight Edge”. The second raid occurred October 4th, 2009, when 300 mink were released; at 1:23 AM that morning, a farmer reported to police that someone was “releasing her mink”, indicating the liberators were spotted in the act, but escaped un-arrerested. (read more)

Animal Liberation Front "Lone Wolf" May Have Been Captured in Denver July 23 The FBI has arrested a man in connection with the A.L.F. arson at Sheepskin Factory in Denver, Colorado. Walter Bond, 34, was arrested by federal agents Thursday. The FBI alleges Bond admitted to an informant to setting two additional fires - one at Tandy Leather Factory, the other at Tiburon (foie gras restaurant), both in Utah. The arrest follows three months of A.L.F. activity in which three businesses (in UT and CO) were targeted by arson. “A.L.F. Lone Wolf” took credit for all three arsons in two communiques. To date, Bond is charged only with the Sheepskin Factory arson. The suspect also served prison time in 1997 for an arson at a meth lab in Iowa. Bond received notoriety when the vegan straight edge band Earth Crisis wrote a song about Bond and the arson titled “ To Ashes ” for their 2009 album “To The Death”. (read more)

All Charges Dismissed Against AETA-4 Defendants for Lack of Evidence July 13 A federal judge on Monday dismissed the indictment against four animal rights activists accused of a violent protest at the home of a UC Santa Cruz researcher more than a year and a half ago, but attorneys involved in the case estimated the legal battle is far from over. U.S. District Court Judge Ronald White, who heard arguments on the motions to dismiss the case a month ago, sided with the activists in a 14-page ruling issued Monday. "...(T)he indictment fails to allege the facts of the crimes charged with sufficient specificity," the judge's ruling stated. Joseph Buddenberg, Maryam Khajavi, Nathan Pope and Adriana Stumpo were arrested in February 2009 and charged with interfering with animal enterprise - a violation of a federal law - and conspiracy. (read more)

Animal Liberation Front "Lone Wolf" Strikes Again at the Heart of Animal Abuse July 07 The fire at the Tiburon restaurant was small but enough to shut the place down. "We don't know if they forced their way in or found an unlocked door," said Sandy Police Sergent Troy Arnold. Overnight, ABC 4 News received this e-mail....It said, "The ALF (animal liberation front) is watching and there is nowhere to hide. The arson at the Tiburon restaurant in Sandy Utah was done because of there (sic) sale of Foie Gras (young duck) and other 'wild game'. Animals exist for there (sic) own purposes, not human ends. Go Vegan! ALF Lonewolf." A spokesperson for ALF says the menu is a big problem with activists, "This is not a delicacy. It's nothing more than animal cruelty and animal abuse served on a plate." (read more)

UCLA Primate Vivisector Arthur Rosenbaum Dead July 01 Dr. Arthur L. Rosenbaum, a prominent UCLA pediatric eye surgeon known for innovative research on eye- muscle disorders who late in life was targeted by animal-rights extremists, has died. He was 69. Rosenbaum died June 22 at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center of complications from treatment related to cancer, said his wife, Sandra. Three years ago, anti-animal research activists began harassing Rosenberg, although he was primarily a surgeon with ties to only one animal-research project. He led a team that conducted research on a primate to test ways to correct severe cross-eyed conditions. In mid-2007, an unexploded firebomb was found under Rosenbaum's car at his home near UCLA. A group known as the Animal Liberation Brigade claimed responsibility for the incident. (read more)

Alex Hall Sentenced to 21 Months for Mink Liberation June 30 An Ogden man who admitted releasing hundreds of mink from a South Jordan farm in support of animal rights was sentenced Wednesday to 21 months in prison. The term was three months shorter than U.S. District Judge Dee Benson had planned to impose. The judge shaved off the time because of a heartfelt apology by 22-year-old Alex Jason Hall, who faced his victims in the courtroom and said: “You truly have nothing to fear from me. I ask your forgiveness. I can assure you I've learned my lesson.” Hall earlier had pleaded guilty to one felony count of damaging and interfering with animal enterprises by releasing about 650 mink on Aug. 19, 2008, at the McMullin farm. (read more)

Latest Writings and Events on Animal Liberation

"Why I Am Vegan", by Animal Rights Prisoner Walter Bond "In the winter of 1995, when I was 19 years old, I got a job with a company by the name of Dakota Mechanical. We built slaughter-houses in the Midwest, mainly in Iowa." Read his essay from jail here.

Roundabout as Conflict-avoidance versus Malcolm X's Psychology of Liberation The now familiar concept of “pacifism as pathology” was introduced by Ward Churchill as the central characteristic of First-World middleclass so-called social justice activism. Churchill argued from history that all liberations were leveraged through violence and proposed that pacifism as cowardice was pathology. Read the whole essay here.

Cointelpro: New Interview with NAALPO Advisor Peter Young The interview covered subjects that have become increasingly relevant with recent events, including: provocateurs, critics, informants, COINTELPRO, how to deal with suspected informants, and much more. Read it here.

New Jason Miller Essay, Interview with Dr. Steve Best Read the latest writing by Press Officer Jason Miller here, and a recent interview with Press Officer Adviser Dr. Steven Best here.

New: On-Line Guide to Direct Action. Click here.

Rick Bogle: Animal Rights Violence Gary Francione, well known Rutgers University law professor and animal rights philosopher, has written a piece on his blog explaining why violence should not be advocated nor employed in any attempt to advance animals' rights. Before I criticise his position, let me make it clear: I'm not advocating violence. We have to think our way out of utilizing violence. My current best effort at doing just this is the National Primate Research Exhibition Hall. But no matter how abhorent we might find violence to be, and no matter how kind and gentle we are and would like others to be, it isn't the same as saying that violence wouldn't work. Read the whole essay here.

Nobody Talks, Everybody Walks: Recently, a trusted activist and ally in the So Cal community was coerced into the local police station to talk. The cops claimed (falsely) to have an arrest warrant, and convinced the activist to come down to the station – or face arrest. Agents and cops will say anything to terrorize people and it is completely legal for the authorities to lie to you. This particular activist was targeted due a recent falling out with other activists. Authorities most likely suspected the activist would give information since they were drifting from the movement due to previous intimidation*. The activist should have slammed the door in the cops' faces and called an attorney. Among the many mistakes that were made by this activist, the biggest one of all was opening their mouth. Read more here.

Latest Interview Online with Steve Best: Dr. Steven Best and Former ALF Prisoner, Brendan McNally discuss animal militant direct action, anarchism, police states, prison, animal liberation and revolutionary movements. (Athens, Greece – June 12, 2010) Click here.

Feature Article: Animal Activists Fight for Their Own Rights in Utah. Featuring Peter Young, Jeremy Beckham and others. Read the full story here.

A Radio Interview with Steven Best and Peter Young (Radio Active on KRCL): Peter Young spent several years hiding from the FBI after raiding fur farms in Iowa. Dr. Steven Best is an outspoken writer, philosopher and activist, dedicated to liberating animals from human industry. How far should humans go to rescue creatures who have no voice? Young and Best offer a pro-animal worldview at Utah Valley University's Animal Ethics Conference. Entire interview transcribed here.

Inside an A.L.F. Investigation: FBI Documents Expose Evidence in A.L.F. Case: An inside look at the FBI evidence which led to indictments for a Utah Animal Liberation Front mink release. Read the full report here.

RAGE (Radicals against Greed and Exploitation), newly formed collective, makes its debut and hastens to build a bridge. We can rest assured that justice will ultimately prevail and that the anthropocentrists' over-confidence, apathy, moral turpitude, and lack of conviction will hasten and ensure the demise of the dominant paradigm of speciesism. Yet, as small as our numbers are relative to those who relentlessly immiserate and annihilate billions of nonhuman animals per annum, as we press to advance animal rights and liberation we need to heed Steve Best's call to build bridges with other radical social justice movements. And our newly forged anarchist collective, RAGE (Radicals against Greed and Exploitation), will start by building an alliance with the LGBTA Rights Movement. more...

Upcoming Animal Liberation Conferences in North America Several upcoming conferences are worth noting for their willingness to represent the diversity of tactics employed in the animal liberation movement:
Animal Liberation Forum 2010 CSU-Long Beach, Long Beach CA April 15th – 18th Speakers include: Shannon Keith, Matt Rosselle, and more.
Animal Ethics Conference Utah Valley University, Provo UT March 29th – April 2nd Speakers include: Jerry Vlasak, Steven Best, Tom Regan and more
North American Conference for Critical Animal Studies SUNY Cortland, Syracuse NY
April 9th – 10th
Let Live Conference Portland State University, Portland OR June 25th – 27th
Animal Rights National Conference 2010 Hilton Hotel, Alexandria, VA July 15th – 19th Speakers include: Will Potter, Camille Hankins, and many more.

December 28, 2009: Words Without Action Are Wrong Empathizing with the struggle of the oppressed is insufficient; we must be willing to die for their freedom… otherwise we need to find a hobby. These ideas resonated with me. They are the lens through which my own inadequacies become magnified and glaring. Animal terrorists demand an equal and opposite response from animal liberationists and, thus far, I have not — we have not — delivered. The extreme violence systematically visited upon nonhumans cannot be addressed with moderation and civility. Read all the latest essay by Camille Marino from Negotiation is Over here.

December 19, 2009: Magical Abolitionism: Francione Admits Defeat and Irrelevance as He Degenerates Into Self_Parody The increasingly desperate and vapid vegan abolitionists, led by Gary Francione, have run so dry of ideas, they apparently have hired a Madison Avenue advertising team – or perhaps a Rutgers-area high-school marketing class — to rescue them from paralysis and irrelevance. But whatever suave snake-oil peddler conjured up the first advertising campaign for this moribund movement, they inadvertently drove the final nail in Francione's coffin and removed the last veil covering the impotence and bankruptcy of lifestyle veganism and bourgeois abolitionism, on display for all to see at this incredible historical moment of planetary crisis, where humanity must choose life or death, sustainability or extinction. (More, by Steve Best)

September 11, 2009: NEW NLG Resource! Operation Backfire: A Survival Guide for Environmental and Animal Rights Activists. Download here.