Shannon Keith Raises the Bar on Animal Activism

[Guest guest]

Link: http://www.envirolink.org/external.html?itemid=200809082124220.714091

 

*Shannon Keith Raises the Bar on Animal Activism*

by Mark Hawthorne

*Monday Sep 8th, 2008 1:12 PM

 

*Shannon Keith, an animal rights attorney and the producer of " Behind the

Mask, " discusses direct action, animal law and her upcoming documentary.

 

Shannon Keith is a Los Angeles-based attorney and filmmaker, perhaps now

best known for her powerful 2006 documentary " Behind the Mask, " which

introduced audiences around the world to the activism of the Animal

Liberation Front. In 2004, she started a non-profit group called Animal

Rescue, Media & Education (ARME). ARME rescues homeless animals and focuses

on stopping the problem at its roots through educational initiatives,

including making documentaries about animals and animal activists.

 

In court, Shannon has represented such animal activists as Kevin Jonas, SHAC

and Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. She is now working on her second

documentary. Although I knew of Shannon and her work on behalf of animals

and activists, I was able to learn from her firsthand at the Let Live

conference in Portland last June. Shannon is a dedicated animal activist

with a valuable perspective on the movement.

 

Shannon, what news can you share about your next film?

" Skin Trade " is going to be slightly different than " Behind the Mask " in the

sense that it will be geared toward a greater spectrum of people. Skin Trade

will have all new experts, new footage, activists and celebrities talking

about the fur industry. The message of the film, which is anti-fur, will

really hit home because of the emergence of fur in the fashion industry in

the last couple of seasons. Even though the film is anti-fur I am going to

show both sides of the fur issue — something that I think will add

credibility and strength that will be undeniable to the average " Joe " on the

streets watching an animal rights film.

 

It sounds compelling. When will the public be able to see it?

Oh, it's not done yet. We expect it to be completed by January 2009.

 

Your activism seems to have two main prongs: your work as an attorney

defending animals and activists, and your work as a film producer of

documentaries. How do these two influence each other?

As far as being an animal rights attorney, the documentaries help explain to

the general public and even individuals in the movement what it is I do, and

who I defend. With regards to " Behind the Mask, " it really seemed to clear

the air not only on who or what the ALF is about, but why I defend direct

action activists. The media and government unjustly call them " terrorists, "

and as their defense lawyer I get labeled one as well. A lot of people would

ask why I defend such " violent domestic terrorists, " but after watching the

movie the subject seems to be much clearer to them. With " Skin Trade, " I

hope to have the same result but more so with my other clients, the animals.

I want to portray the cruel realities of fur but target it to the general

public. Hopefully, it will be clear why it is that I chose a career

defending animals.

 

Now that " Behind the Mask " has been out for a couple of years, what has the

impact been?

The impact has been tremendous. I cannot even begin to explain the extensive

ground it covered. " Behind the Mask " really hit home to the people already

in the animal rights community and sparked almost this euphoric passion in

them. The progress we make for the animals is slow and sometimes we lose

some activists and the film really seemed to rekindle that fire we all

share. The impact the movie had on the average citizen, not into animal

rights, was equally as great. I get emails all the time about how it changed

people's lives and helped them become vegetarian, adopt a cruelty lifestyle,

go vegan, stop purchasing animal-tested products or how wrong they were

about the ALF. It's amazing!

 

" Behind the Mask " argues that peaceful activist tactics like writing letters

don't work — that direct action is really what brings change in social

justice movements. Do you think there are any above-ground strategies

activists can do to effectively advocate for animals?

Yes, I do. But I believe they have never worked alone; meaning, when we have

seen change happen through protest, it has been because there were more

radical factions working in conjunction with above-ground activists, whether

known or unknown. In fact, I believe it is imperative that for the

underground actions to be effective there are above-ground campaigns in

place at the time. I still believe in traditional protest activity, as well

as trying to change the law through the legislative process.

 

People who are not willing to do any of these things can simply boycott

animal cruelty, by not spending their money supporting these companies and

industries.

 

I was really impressed with your presentation at the Let Live conference in

Portland; I was especially surprised to hear you say police will lie to

activists when confronting them. Would you expand on that a bit?

Police and FBI, and any other law enforcement for that matter, are allowed

to lie. They are allowed to tell you that if you do not talk with them, you

will be arrested. That's why it is so important for activists to know their

rights. One should never talk with government officials or provide any

information, even if they think they already know it. Keep your mouth shut,

or assert your right to remain silent or have an attorney, at which point

they are legally required to stop questioning you.

 

With the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act and other legislation clearly

intended to intimidate activists, what long-term role do you think direct

action will play in animal activism?

The repression perpetrated by the governments in enacting unconstitutional

laws such as AETA, etc., is only backfiring. Because legal protest is now

sometimes illegal or activists are deterred, they have gone underground.

Since the passage of AETA, I have heard of more underground direct actions

than before AETA.

 

What do you do to keep from getting burned out?

That's a good question. I try to keep my head in the game and never forget

of the pain these animals suffer. But, I try my hardest to have a good time

when I can, because if I don't, I will burn out. I love hiking with my

companion dogs and going out with friends and NOT talking about animals

sometimes.

 

Do you think Spain's decision to grant rights to great apes offers us any

hope that courts may one day regard all animals as more than property?

Any win for the animals, here or abroad, should be a sign of hope. The

animal rights movement is one that requires a process that can sometimes be

daunting and long. Every time we hear of any sort of inch being given over

to us means we should pull that much harder on the proverbial tug of war we

are playing here. Spain granting rights to greater apes is a catalyst to

rights being given throughout. The day will come when we pull and all the

exploiters, and animal abusers direct and indirect, fall in the mud. If we

can make them budge even an inch, we can make them budge again and again.

 

What advice do you offer activists who are interested in using the legal

system to advance the interests of animals?

The spectrum of animal rights law is a not a very populated one. I advise

that working for animals in the legal field will help to show how serious we

are about our cause. It takes dedication, hard work, perseverance and

motivation to become a lawyer, and especially to become one not for the

money, but for a cause. The more legal representation we have in the animal

rights world, the bigger the chance we have to get into politics and make

changes for the well-being and freedom of the billions of animals constantly

tortured and murdered for the most trivial of reasons.

 

For more information about Shannon Keith, please visit

http://www.animal-rights-lawyer.com/index.html

http://strikingattheroots.wordpress.com/

 

 

 

 

 

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