Animal Rights and Positive Direct Action
Category: Animal Rights Issuesadded by S. RileyOver the years the media has tended to focus on the negative actions of animal rights proponents, notably extremist who use force and intimidation, e.g., vandalism, arson, and threats as protest tactics. However, there are many animal rights advocates who do not agree with the methods of violent protest and see non-violent protest, i.e., “positive direct action,” as the most effective way of exposing animal abuse. The following are examples of peaceful protest that have resulted in animal rights victories.
Rocky the Dolphin Campaign
In 1988, animal rights activist Barry Horne and four others took part in a raid of Morecombe UK’s Marineland in an attempt to free a dolphin named Rocky, who had lived in a small concrete pool for 20 years. The four had planned to move Rocky from his pool to the sea. However, they were spotted by the police and convicted of conspiracy to steal. Despite the deterrence, the activists continued to campaign for Rocky’s release and eventually Marineland agreed to sell him.In 1991, with the help of the Born Free Foundation and the Mail on Sunday, £120,000, was raised and Rocky was transferred to a lagoon reserve in the Turks and Caicos Islands and then released.
Draize Test Campaign
A well-known campaign was undertaken by Animal Rights International, when they took out a full-page ad in the New York Times on April 15, 1980. The ad targeted the cosmetics company, Revlon, for their use of the Draize test; a toxicity evaluation conducted on the eyes of animals. The headline of the ad read: How many rabbits does Revlon blind for beauty's sake? Revlon subsequently began research into "cruelty free” alternatives.Anti-Fur Campaign
Anti-fur campaigners in the UK held a successful protest at a branch of the fashion shop chain, "Cow," in the UK. The shop responded by taking all of the fur off display and giving it to the protesters to do with as they please.
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May all sentient beings in the animal realm subject to unbearable pain in labs throughout the world be free from suffering. May alternatives to animal experimentation and testing be used immediately.
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