It was truly inspiring to see so many, many people stuffed into(and spilling out of) Merrimac. In the face of an almost overwhelming attempt at repression of the animal rights movement, it was great to see that people are nevertheless still willing to strongly voice their continuing commitment to making the world a better place for all beings. Even subtracting the blatantly obvious "undercover" agents, there were easily hundreds of people in attendance. The room was filled with beautiful art that people had donated toward a silent auction, and bidding was heavy. All proceeds from the night will go toward supporting the SHAC 7.
Readers will likely remember that these seven activists are facing the possibility of years in prison for the "crime" of speaking out against the abuse and torture of non-human animals. I had the opportunity to talk to Josh Harper tonight, one of the accused. And may I say, he truly rocks. He spoke eloquently about the need to wake up and do something positive in defense of animals, as well as the importance of avoiding "tactical dogma." (As I am tired tonite, I will not attempt to paraphrase him right now. Rather, I will let him speak for himself in an upcoming Video from the Resistance, since he gave a lengthy interview on camera.)
Since he's facing the possibility of some heavy time behind bars just for speaking, I asked whether he was nervous about talking to me on camera, whether this experience would silence him. He smiled and shook his head, then laughed, "I'm a big mouth." He went on to say that facing jail time for talking has made him wonder, "What good is talking." He pointed out that he and the other activists are facing the same kind of sentences as if they had been out participating in real direct action that would possibly have made a bigger difference. As we talked, we noticed a man who was very obviously endeavoring to stay within ear shot. When we moved, he moved, again and again. (Gee. Wonder what THAT was about?)
I was really struck by the courage of this person. He's been harassed and surveilled and dragged into court over and over again for his activism, and yet he is still unafraid to say the things that need to be said, even though he knows that those words could put him at risk. (In fact, it's now so risky just to speak in this country that I found myself almost unwilling to report this. It was only after I was reminded that he had willingly said these things into my camera and others that I realized that not reporting this would be disrespecful. Indeed, it would be tantamount to silencing him, just as I had feared the police state would do by prosecuting him for his words. If he is willing to speak out like he frequently does, even knowing the possible consequences, then he has the right to be heard. Who am I to make any other decision for him.)
After I left Merrimac, I wandered quietly down the street and sat down in a dark recess, watching to see whether I would catch FBI agents writing down the license plate numbers of those who attended this event. I did not see anyone this time, but I assume they were there, just the same. Call me paranoid.
If you are unfamiliar with the history of the SHAC 7, see these sites and others:  http://www.pressaction.com/news/weblog/full_article/bestkahn08182004/ ; http://www.pressaction.com/news/weblog/full_article/bestkahn08182004/ ; link to www.shac7.com.
|
4179 SE Division
so many people....if we could just all get together and organize despite the powers of this police state that are currently trying to silence all dissent.
i was inspired by the amount of people and the support given to this very important cause.