Animal Liberation Press Offices relay

anonymous Anonymous may refer to: * Anonymity, the state of an individual's identity, or personally identifiable information, being publicly unknown ** Anonymous work, a work of art or literature that has an unnamed or unknown creator or author * Anonym ...

communiques, photos, and videos to the media about

direct action Direct action is a term for economic and political behavior in which participants use agency—for example economic or physical power—to achieve their goals. The aim of direct action is to either obstruct a certain practice (such as a governm ...

undertaken by the

Animal Liberation Front The Animal Liberation Front (ALF) is a Far-left politics, far-left international, Leaderless resistance, leaderless, decentralized movement that emerged in Britain in the 1970s, evolving from the Bands of Mercy. It operates without a formal lead ...

(ALF),

Animal Rights Militia The Animal Rights Militia (ARM) is a banner used by animal rights activists who engage in direct action utilizing a diversity of tactics that ignores the Animal Liberation Front's policy of taking all necessary precautions to avoid harm to hum ...

(ARM),

Revolutionary Cells – Animal Liberation Brigade The Revolutionary Cells – Animal Liberation Brigade (RCALB), known simply as Animal Liberation Brigade (ALB), is a name used by animal liberationists who advocate the use of a diversity of tactics within the animal liberation movement, whethe ...

Justice Department A justice ministry, ministry of justice, or department of justice, is a ministry or other government agency in charge of the administration of justice. The ministry or department is often headed by a minister of justice (minister for justice in a ...

, and other

leaderless resistance Leaderless resistance, or phantom cell structure, is a social resistance strategy in which small, independent groups ( covert cells), or individuals (a solo cell is called a " lone wolf"), challenge an established institution such as a law, econ ...

within the

animal liberation movement The animal rights movement, sometimes called the animal liberation, animal personhood, or animal advocacy movement, is a social movement that advocates an end to the rigid moral and legal distinction drawn between human and non-human animals, ...

."History of the Animal Liberation Press Office"
, Animal Liberation Supporters' Group, retrieved May 23, 2006 It states that it will "explain and seek to justify any action, whatever it may be", so long as it appears to have been carried out "with the sincere intention of furthering animal liberation." The North American press office also includes a newsletter, prisoner list and merchandise page. The press office's position is that it receives claims of responsibility from anonymous

cells Cell most often refers to: * Cell (biology), the functional basic unit of life * Cellphone, a phone connected to a cellular network * Clandestine cell, a penetration-resistant form of a secret or outlawed organization * Electrochemical cell, a d ...

, and that its officers "do not engage in illegal activities, nor do they know any individuals who do." In contrast, a British High Court judge described press officer Robin Webb as a "central and pivotal figure" in the ALF."Oxford wins protest injunction case", ''

The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in Manchester in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'' and changed its name in 1959, followed by a move to London. Along with its sister paper, ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardi ...

'', October 13, 2006. Retrieved November 11, 2006.

Offices

United Kingdom

The first press office was founded in the UK in October 1991. Media relations were originally handled by the

Animal Liberation Front Supporters Group The Animal Liberation Front (ALF) is a Far-left politics, far-left international, Leaderless resistance, leaderless, decentralized movement that emerged in Britain in the 1970s, evolving from the Bands of Mercy. It operates without a formal lead ...

, but a new ALF press office was created to receive claims of responsibility anonymously, in order to avoid charges of conspiracy. The name was changed again, this time to the Animal Liberation Press Office, after the introduction of the

Terrorism Act 2000 The Terrorism Act 2000 (c. 11) is the first of a number of general Terrorism Acts passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It superseded and repealed the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 and the Northern Ireland (E ...

, in order to avoid police attention, and to reflect that the office issues statements on behalf of a number of activist groups, not just the ALF. Robin Webb, formerly a member of the

RSPCA The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is a charity operating in England and Wales which promotes animal welfare. The RSPCA is funded primarily by voluntary donations. Founded in 1824, it is the oldest and largest a ...

ruling council, runs the office in the UK., ''No Compromise'', Issue 22, undated, retrieved May 23, 2006

North America

The press office in

North America North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere, Northern and Western Hemisphere, Western hemispheres. North America is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South Ameri ...

, also known as NAALPO, was co-founded in 1994,Frequently Asked Questions About the North American Animal Liberation Press Office
, ''Animal Liberation Press Office''. and re-opened in December 2004,

, ''North American Animal Liberation Press office'', December 2nd 2004. by

Steven Best Steven Best (born December 1955) is an American philosopher, writer, speaker and activist. His concerns include animal rights, species extinction, human overpopulation, ecological crisis, biotechnology, liberation politics, terrorism, mass media ...

, an associate professor of philosophy at the

University of Texas, El Paso The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is a public research university in El Paso, Texas, United States. Founded in 1913 as the State School of Mines and Metallurgy, it is the third oldest academic component of the University of Texas System ...

. The current press officers are:Animal Liberation Press Office
''NAALPO Homepage''. * Jerry Vlasak – Trauma surgeon and former

animal research Animal testing, also known as animal experimentation, animal research, and ''in vivo'' testing, is the use of animals, as model organisms, in experiments that seek answers to scientific and medical questions. This approach can be contrasted ...

er * Joseph Buddenberg - North American press officer *Yeşim Nurova - Press Office Advisor/Journalist with R9 Media/Press Office Liaison - Europe *Gregston Van Pukeston - Press Officer/Journalist with R9 Media/Press Office Liaison for Environmental Action/Activist Groups. *Ian Purdy - Press Officer Advisor/ Liaison – Public Relations

Relationship with the ALF

In October 2006, the distinction between the British Animal Liberation Press Office and the ALF was questioned when a High Court judge ruled that Robin Webb was bound by an injunction banning protests at

Oxford University The University of Oxford is a collegiate research university in Oxford, England. There is evidence of teaching as early as 1096, making it the oldest university in the English-speaking world and the second-oldest continuously operating u ...

. Webb had argued that he was a journalist and not a member of the ALF or its supporters group. According to ''

'', the judge described Webb as a "central and pivotal figure n the ALF" and concluded that "the press office was not a neutral reporting exercise or even simply a vehicle for apologists for the ALF, but a vital part of the ALF's strategy." In contrast, the North American press office claims:

Notes

External links