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The Social The Social Movement-Movement-

Countermovement Countermovement Dialectic Dialectic

(Revisited). (Revisited). Roger Yates.Roger Yates.

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: “An organised effort by a : “An organised effort by a significant number of people to significant number of people to change (or resist change in) some change (or resist change in) some major aspect of society” (Marshall major aspect of society” (Marshall 1994: 489). 1994: 489).

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Goode, E. (1992) Goode, E. (1992) Collective Behaviour, Collective Behaviour, Florida: HBJ.Florida: HBJ.

Lilliston, B. & Cummins, R. (1997). The food Lilliston, B. & Cummins, R. (1997). The food slander laws in the U.S.: The criminalization slander laws in the U.S.: The criminalization of dissent. of dissent. The EcologistThe Ecologist, 27(6), 216-220. , 27(6), 216-220.

Mottl, T. L. (1980). ‘The analysis of Mottl, T. L. (1980). ‘The analysis of countermovements’, countermovements’, Social ProblemsSocial Problems, 27(5), , 27(5), 620-634.620-634.

Munro, L. (1999) ‘Contesting Moral Capital Munro, L. (1999) ‘Contesting Moral Capital in Campaigns Against Animal Liberation’, in Campaigns Against Animal Liberation’, Society & Animals Journal of Human-Animal Society & Animals Journal of Human-Animal Studies,Studies, Volume 7, Number 1. Volume 7, Number 1.

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Not surprisingly, those involved in Not surprisingly, those involved in social movement activity take a social movement activity take a

great deal of notice of what their great deal of notice of what their countermovements are saying and countermovements are saying and how the ‘battle of ideas’ is playing how the ‘battle of ideas’ is playing

out in the mass media. out in the mass media.

‘‘Animal_Rights_Debate’ Animal_Rights_Debate’

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issues…issues…

‘‘animal rights’ animal rights’

‘‘animal welfare’ animal welfare’

the status of philosopher Peter Singerthe status of philosopher Peter Singer

the idea that ‘animal rights’ is an the idea that ‘animal rights’ is an extremist philosophy that promotes extremist philosophy that promotes

violence and terrorismviolence and terrorism

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Regan, T. (2004) Regan, T. (2004) Empty Empty Cages: Facing the challenge Cages: Facing the challenge of animal rightsof animal rights, Oxford: , Oxford: Rowman & LittlefieldRowman & Littlefield

animal rights advocates (‘ARAs’)animal rights advocates (‘ARAs’) ““major animal user industries”major animal user industries”

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““[i]f the public’s perception of using [i]f the public’s perception of using animals in research could be structured animals in research could be structured as a contest between know-nothing as a contest between know-nothing animal rights extremists who hate animal rights extremists who hate humans and have an insatiable appetite humans and have an insatiable appetite for violence, on the one hand, and wise for violence, on the one hand, and wise scientific animal welfare moderates, scientific animal welfare moderates, true friends of humanity, on the other, true friends of humanity, on the other, ARAs would be repudiated and the ARAs would be repudiated and the ideology of humane, responsible use ideology of humane, responsible use would prevail” (2004: 12). would prevail” (2004: 12).

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Regan claims that, since 1989: “a steady Regan claims that, since 1989: “a steady stream of press releases. Memos, e-mail stream of press releases. Memos, e-mail messages, press conferences, and messages, press conferences, and website miscellany, denouncing ARA website miscellany, denouncing ARA extremists and extremists and lauding reasonable lauding reasonable animal welfarists, has flowed from the animal welfarists, has flowed from the AMA’s and other biomedical research AMA’s and other biomedical research industry’s public relations offices industry’s public relations offices straight into the hands of reporters, straight into the hands of reporters, news directors, and editors” (2004: 12).news directors, and editors” (2004: 12).

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The majority of Americans support animal The majority of Americans support animal welfare groups, but do NOT support [any] welfare groups, but do NOT support [any] out-of-touch-with-reality, publicity-hungry out-of-touch-with-reality, publicity-hungry animal rights groups… Animal welfare animal rights groups… Animal welfare groups support humane treatment and groups support humane treatment and responsible care of animals while the responsible care of animals while the animal rights philosophy not only animal rights philosophy not only condemns the use of all animals for any condemns the use of all animals for any purpose but also is known for its purpose but also is known for its increasingly terroristic tactics. The current increasingly terroristic tactics. The current mind-set of the animal rights movement is, mind-set of the animal rights movement is, “Believe what I believe…or else” (cited in “Believe what I believe…or else” (cited in Regan 2004: 15). Regan 2004: 15).

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Lord DonoughueLord Donoughue ““This is just half to two thirds of the way This is just half to two thirds of the way

through the next Parliament and it is by then through the next Parliament and it is by then that the animal terrorists will have mounted that the animal terrorists will have mounted a major campaign to get back-bench support a major campaign to get back-bench support and will have someone to bring a Private and will have someone to bring a Private Members Bill into the House”.Members Bill into the House”.

Lord Donoughue claimed he calls lobbyists Lord Donoughue claimed he calls lobbyists “animal terrorists” because their aim is “to “animal terrorists” because their aim is “to destroy the countryside as we know it”.destroy the countryside as we know it”.

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Prof Colin Blakemore: “If you are willing to Prof Colin Blakemore: “If you are willing to talk about this issue publically, they will kill talk about this issue publically, they will kill you”you”

He fears that the terror tactics will quash He fears that the terror tactics will quash debate and senses that the government may debate and senses that the government may already be softening its stance in favour of already be softening its stance in favour of animal rights protestors. animal rights protestors.

Dr Mark Matfield, Research Defence Society.Dr Mark Matfield, Research Defence Society.

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Norma Bennett WoolfNorma Bennett WoolfNational Animal Interest National Animal Interest

Alliance Alliance mission statementmission statement

““Our mission is to promote a Our mission is to promote a more abundant life for all the more abundant life for all the people of this planet through a people of this planet through a wise and compassionate human wise and compassionate human relationship with animals and relationship with animals and the environment”the environment”

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Recognize that human - animal interactions Recognize that human - animal interactions take many forms; take many forms;

Host conferences to highlight topical Host conferences to highlight topical issues, expose animal rights and issues, expose animal rights and environmental extremism and share animal environmental extremism and share animal welfare efforts and successes; welfare efforts and successes;

Support the victims of animal and Support the victims of animal and environmental extremism; environmental extremism;

Counter the rhetoric of the animal rights Counter the rhetoric of the animal rights movement; movement;

Support the wise and thoughtful use of Support the wise and thoughtful use of natural resources natural resources

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Provide this website to alert animal Provide this website to alert animal owners and others about the owners and others about the differences between animal rights differences between animal rights and animal welfare and the battle and animal welfare and the battle for reasonable laws, regulations, and for reasonable laws, regulations, and guidelines affecting animal guidelines affecting animal treatment, use and ownership. treatment, use and ownership.

((http://www.naiaonline.org/body/about_naia.htm).htm)

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ARD message 30336, “Norma Bennett Woolf” to “Jim”:ARD message 30336, “Norma Bennett Woolf” to “Jim”: AW and AR are not on the same scale. AW is an animal AW and AR are not on the same scale. AW is an animal use philosophy; AR is a no-use philosophy. The twain use philosophy; AR is a no-use philosophy. The twain doesn’t meet no matter how deep your belief that it doesn’t meet no matter how deep your belief that it does. NAIA falls into the same category of AW support does. NAIA falls into the same category of AW support as AVMA [American Veterinary Medical Association], as AVMA [American Veterinary Medical Association], various specialty veterinary groups, AKC [American various specialty veterinary groups, AKC [American Kennel Club], groups specializing in research animal Kennel Club], groups specializing in research animal care, many humane societies, etc., etc., i.e., we support care, many humane societies, etc., etc., i.e., we support animal use; believe that those who own and interact animal use; believe that those who own and interact with animals tend to be experts in their care and with animals tend to be experts in their care and training; and work hard to make and support training; and work hard to make and support improvements where improvements are necessary…. improvements where improvements are necessary…. The goal of AR is to end animal use (no instrumental The goal of AR is to end animal use (no instrumental control, remember?) and the goal of AW is to give control, remember?) and the goal of AW is to give animals a decent life and a quick death while we animals a decent life and a quick death while we benefit from their presence in our lives. These are two benefit from their presence in our lives. These are two completely incompatible sets of goals.completely incompatible sets of goals.

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ARD message 16978, “Kathy”:ARD message 16978, “Kathy”: Well, if hanging Well, if hanging a dead animal should be a crime, why shouldn’t a dead animal should be a crime, why shouldn’t distributing literature (known to be filled with distributing literature (known to be filled with inflammatory statements) to children be inflammatory statements) to children be considered a terrorist crime? It’s meant to be considered a terrorist crime? It’s meant to be used to terrorize children into changing their used to terrorize children into changing their lifestyles. You can hand out anything you want lifestyles. You can hand out anything you want to adults, but NOT children and certainly not to adults, but NOT children and certainly not MY children.MY children.

ARD message 19715, “Norma Bennett Woolf”:ARD message 19715, “Norma Bennett Woolf”: I I don’t care if you or anyone else believes that don’t care if you or anyone else believes that animals have rights, I care only if those who animals have rights, I care only if those who believe try to push their opinion on the rest of believe try to push their opinion on the rest of us via laws, regulations, indoctrination of kids, us via laws, regulations, indoctrination of kids, or terrorist tactics.or terrorist tactics.

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* unite all farm organisations into a coalition * unite all farm organisations into a coalition committed to continued well-being and safe committed to continued well-being and safe treatment of farm animals;treatment of farm animals;

* study public opinion, attitudes, and * study public opinion, attitudes, and knowledge about farm practices and modern knowledge about farm practices and modern farm technology; andfarm technology; and

* educate the consumer, public officials, * educate the consumer, public officials, media, and other audiences media, and other audiences about the about the farmers’ essential concern for the well-being farmers’ essential concern for the well-being of their animals and the production of safe, of their animals and the production of safe, low-cost food (quoted in Guither 1998: 133). low-cost food (quoted in Guither 1998: 133).

Guither, H. D. (1998) Guither, H. D. (1998) Animal Rights: History and scope of a Animal Rights: History and scope of a radical social movement,radical social movement, Carbondale & Edwardsville: Southern Carbondale & Edwardsville: Southern Illinous University Press.Illinous University Press.

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continuing to monitor the direction of the animal continuing to monitor the direction of the animal rights movement…;rights movement…;

establishing an effective system of monitoring state establishing an effective system of monitoring state legislative and legal action;legislative and legal action;

monitoring all studies on animal stress and advising monitoring all studies on animal stress and advising members on implications for farming practices members on implications for farming practices related to animal rights issues;related to animal rights issues;

developing positive themes to neutralise what developing positive themes to neutralise what coalition members see as irresponsible attacks on coalition members see as irresponsible attacks on animal farming practices by animal rights groups;animal farming practices by animal rights groups;

maintaining communications with other animal-maintaining communications with other animal-rearing or user groups, particularly those concerned rearing or user groups, particularly those concerned with laboratory animals;with laboratory animals;

preparing their organisations to deal effectively with preparing their organisations to deal effectively with the challenge of the animal rights movement…, andthe challenge of the animal rights movement…, and

researching the attitudes and knowledge level about researching the attitudes and knowledge level about animal rights issues prevailing in the wider circle of animal rights issues prevailing in the wider circle of agribusiness. agribusiness.

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ARD message 39724, “bint”:ARD message 39724, “bint”: We do We do spend a great deal of time talking about spend a great deal of time talking about AR terrorism but that’s just the way the AR terrorism but that’s just the way the world works. No one needs to be worried world works. No one needs to be worried about the ARAs who just go about their about the ARAs who just go about their life being vegans and trying to convince life being vegans and trying to convince their friends to do the same.their friends to do the same.

ARD message 34660, “Lisa”:ARD message 34660, “Lisa”: PS- The PS- The reason I post articles that refer to violent reason I post articles that refer to violent ARA’s is due to them being in the news ARA’s is due to them being in the news

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ARD message 36475, “Norma Bennett Woolf” to ARD message 36475, “Norma Bennett Woolf” to “Jim”:“Jim”: “It is “reactionary” to speak out against “It is “reactionary” to speak out against violence? To consider that ELF, ALF, etc. are violence? To consider that ELF, ALF, etc. are domestic terrorists?”domestic terrorists?”

“Jim” in reply:“Jim” in reply: Norma--WHAT a hugely stupid Norma--WHAT a hugely stupid question! *I* (as well as Rags and Pro B) have question! *I* (as well as Rags and Pro B) have spoken REPEATEDLY against such spoken REPEATEDLY against such violence!... However what YOU do--Ms. violence!... However what YOU do--Ms. Propagandist—isn’t to Propagandist—isn’t to simply “speak out” simply “speak out” against the violence. What YOU do-- is to against the violence. What YOU do-- is to repeatedly refer to the violence for the purposes repeatedly refer to the violence for the purposes of casting prejudice of casting prejudice against the whole of the against the whole of the rights movement. THAT is quite dishonest--rights movement. THAT is quite dishonest--Norma! Norma!

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ARD message 28273, “Jim” to “Lisa”:ARD message 28273, “Jim” to “Lisa”: Can’t you just disagree (about Can’t you just disagree (about rights) without saying something so rights) without saying something so off the edge as implying I’m off the edge as implying I’m supporting TERRORISM? Surely supporting TERRORISM? Surely YOU know better by now.YOU know better by now.

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ARD message 15868, “Peachybean” to ARD message 15868, “Peachybean” to “Norma”:“Norma”: I have never bombed, I have never bombed, threatened, committed arson, etc. I threatened, committed arson, etc. I work at a public aquarium, I eat meat, I work at a public aquarium, I eat meat, I don’t want to end pet breeding, etc. don’t want to end pet breeding, etc. Just want to see the animals and Just want to see the animals and consumers protected. And I am consumers protected. And I am considered an AR by you and I am considered an AR by you and I am grouped in the same “terrorist” grouped in the same “terrorist” category you give. category you give.

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ARD message 8800, “Aimee” to “Lisa”:ARD message 8800, “Aimee” to “Lisa”: You’ve said this once before, in your You’ve said this once before, in your fight to make AR look like a bunch of fight to make AR look like a bunch of terrorists, so I will explain again….terrorists, so I will explain again….

ARD message 15817, “Jim”ARD message 15817, “Jim”: Norma--: Norma--are we going to talk about ideas OR are we going to talk about ideas OR are you just going to keep ranting are you just going to keep ranting about how bad and terroristic some about how bad and terroristic some AR’s are?AR’s are?

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ARD message 8919, “Balddog”:ARD message 8919, “Balddog”: Animal welfarists are not what we Animal welfarists are not what we are calling terrorists. Animal rights are calling terrorists. Animal rights activists, animal liberators, and their activists, animal liberators, and their supporters... THOSE I call terrorists.supporters... THOSE I call terrorists.

ARD message 16165, “Randolph ARD message 16165, “Randolph Critzer”:Critzer”: Same folks defending ar Same folks defending ar terrorism and chicken rights!terrorism and chicken rights!

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ARD message 17207, “Kathy”:ARD message 17207, “Kathy”: the AR the AR movement SUPPORTS VIOLENCE in movement SUPPORTS VIOLENCE in seeking its goals. Oh, not every seeking its goals. Oh, not every individual does. But PeTA is the individual does. But PeTA is the largest AR organization and they PAY largest AR organization and they PAY MONEY to MONEY to CONVICTED CONVICTED CRIMINALS. They support VLASAK CRIMINALS. They support VLASAK who calls for assassination. They pay a who calls for assassination. They pay a SALARY to men who advocate SALARY to men who advocate TERROR-ISM. TERROR-ISM.

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Benton, T. & Redfearn, S. (1996) ‘The Benton, T. & Redfearn, S. (1996) ‘The Politics of Animal Rights - Where is the Politics of Animal Rights - Where is the Left?’ Left?’ New Left Review,New Left Review, Jan/Feb: 43-58. Jan/Feb: 43-58.

Garner, R. (1993) Garner, R. (1993) Animals, Politics and Animals, Politics and Morality,Morality, Manchester: Manchester Manchester: Manchester University Press.University Press.

Singer, P. (1983) Singer, P. (1983) Animal Liberation: Animal Liberation: Towards an end to Man’s inhumanity to Towards an end to Man’s inhumanity to animals, animals, Wellingborough: Thorsons.Wellingborough: Thorsons.

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ARD message 37880, ARD message 37880, “KC” writes: It “KC” writes: It [interspecies sexual assault] does sicken [interspecies sexual assault] does sicken me - almost as much as child me - almost as much as child molestation or pedophilia… But of molestation or pedophilia… But of course with someone of Peter Singer’s course with someone of Peter Singer’s stature recommending it, who knows stature recommending it, who knows anymore.anymore.

ARD message 36245, “Lisa”:ARD message 36245, “Lisa”: Singer’s Singer’s view of bestiality disgusts me I will say.view of bestiality disgusts me I will say.

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ARD message 18431, “Kim” cites an ARD message 18431, “Kim” cites an article by Daniel J Flynn in which the article by Daniel J Flynn in which the author writesauthor writes: “Is the self-righteousness : “Is the self-righteousness of animal rights activists, or their of animal rights activists, or their tactics, at all surprising given the tactics, at all surprising given the popularity of Singer’s writings? Singer popularity of Singer’s writings? Singer has even coined a term—speciesists—to has even coined a term—speciesists—to place the fight for animal rights on the place the fight for animal rights on the same plane as the fight against racism same plane as the fight against racism and sexism and sexism

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““Pro.B”: “Singer believes, for example, that Pro.B”: “Singer believes, for example, that one animal might be replaced with another one animal might be replaced with another animal. If the replacement has an equally animal. If the replacement has an equally pleasant or more pleasant life than the pleasant or more pleasant life than the original had, then the death of original had, then the death of the first the first does not necessitate ethical concern.”does not necessitate ethical concern.”

“KC”: “I thought Singer wasn’t an AR “KC”: “I thought Singer wasn’t an AR advocate? You guys want it both ways, eh?”advocate? You guys want it both ways, eh?”

“Pro.B”: No, I don’t want it both ways. NB: “Pro.B”: No, I don’t want it both ways. NB: 1. I do not agree with Singer. 2. Singer is 1. I do not agree with Singer. 2. Singer is not a rights advocate, but a utilitarian not a rights advocate, but a utilitarian philosopherphilosopher

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ARD message 28678, “KC”:ARD message 28678, “KC”: Okay, let me see if I have this Okay, let me see if I have this right. Peter Singer says he is right. Peter Singer says he is NOT an ARA so that means NOT an ARA so that means hehe’s not.’s not.

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ARD message 19049, “bint”:ARD message 19049, “bint”: Just Just because Garnerbecause Garner[1] believes that Singer is believes that Singer is not an advocate of rights doesn’t mean not an advocate of rights doesn’t mean that this belief should be “clear” to that this belief should be “clear” to anyone else. anyone else.

[1] This is a response to the following point revealing that This is a response to the following point revealing that Garner was stating what Singer had said about his utilitarian Garner was stating what Singer had said about his utilitarian philosophical position: “In 1993, political scientist Robert philosophical position: “In 1993, political scientist Robert Garner published a book called Garner published a book called Animals Politics and MoralityAnimals Politics and Morality. . On page 27, Garner writes, ‘Singer is clear...that he is not an On page 27, Garner writes, ‘Singer is clear...that he is not an advocate of rights.’” advocate of rights.’”

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““bint”: “It isn’t the AW advocates bint”: “It isn’t the AW advocates that call Singer the Father of the AR that call Singer the Father of the AR movement. It is those who are within movement. It is those who are within the AR movement who are the AR movement who are responsible for that” (ARD 27802)responsible for that” (ARD 27802)

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Guither (1998: 132) states: Guither (1998: 132) states: “Through educational efforts “Through educational efforts with their members and to the with their members and to the general public through the general public through the media, they are challenging media, they are challenging and attempting to discredit the and attempting to discredit the animal rights doctrines and animal rights doctrines and beliefs”. beliefs”.