Animal Rights Activism Month – Chapter 2 – Building a Movement Workshop

Shivonne Engen i Anni Lanki su službeno otvorile Mjesec aktivizma za prava životinja 06. studenog 2018. s radionicom Izgradnja Pokreta (Building a Movement) koju su održale u prostorijama Prijatelja Životinja u Jurišićevoj 25 u Zagrebu. (English: Shivonne Engen and Anni Lanki officially opened the Animal Rights Activism Month at 6th of November with their workshop Building a Movement, which held place at Animal Friends Croatia, Jurišićeva 25, Zagreb.)

Pokretač radionice je bila ideja o osnaživanju zajednice aktivista za prava životinja kako bi sami pokret mogao rasti i biti efektivniji u ostvarivanju svojeg cilja – oslobođenje životinja. Centar predavanja su bili The Save Movement i Direct Action Everywhere.

(English: The launcher of the workshop was the idea of ​​empowering a community of animal rights activists so that the movement itself could grow and be more effective in achieving its goal - the liberation of animals. Center of lectures were The Save Movement and Direct Action Everywhere.)

Shivonne Engen, osnivačica inicijative Activism on the Road, istaknula je bitne razlike između karnizma, veganstva i aktivizma. Kao primjer uzela je scenu gdje se pojedinac suočava s prizorom gdje jedan čovjek vrši nasilje nad psom. Ponuđene su mu tri opcije:

1. Pristupiti čovjeku i zajedno s njim vršiti nasilje nad psom (karnizam)

2. Proći kraj navedene scene kao da se ništa ne događa (veganstvo)

3. Pristupiti čovjeku i zaustaviti ga u navedenom činu (aktivizam)

Iz toga možemo zaključiti da je aktivizam primarno sredstvo za ostvarivanje apsolutnog oslobođenja životinja kojem težimo kao aktivisti za prava životinja. Nije dovoljno ne konzumirati životinjske proizvode, ne koristiti kozmetiku/proizvode za kućanstvo koji su testirani na životinjama ili sadrže sastojke životinjskog podrijetla i ne nositi odjeću/obuću koja je napravljena od vune, svile, kože, krzna itd.

Tijekom predstavljanja Direct Action Everywhere navedeni su neki od načina na koji se može raditi ulični aktivizam. Metode prakticiranja DxE su mirnog karaktera, poput predlaganja proširivanja veganske ponude u trgovinama zdrave hrane, pokretanje peticija, dijeljenje letaka, umjetničkih performansa, outreach s prolaznicima na ulicama, prikazivanja videa ili filmova, radionice, prezentacije. Zatim postoje metode koje se nazivaju disruptions, koje su vezane uz nenasilne proteste u trgovinama, supermarketima, restoranima te ostalim javnim mjestima/događanjima gdje je cilj šokirati publiku i potaknuti ih na razmišljanje. Dio DxE je također i takozvani open rescue gdje aktivisti za prava životinja pod cijenu vlastite sigurnosti spašavaju životinje s farmi i ostalih lokacija. (English: Shivonne Engen, founder of the Activism on the Road initiative, highlighted the important differences between carnism, veganism and activism. As an example, she took a scene where an individual faces a scene where a man is committing violence against a dog. Three options are offered: 1. To approach a man and to commit violence against a dog with him (carnism) 2. Pass by as if nothing happens (veganism) 3. To approach a man and stop him in the act (activism) From this we can conclude that activism is the primary means of achieving the absolute liberation of animals we aspire to as animal rights activists. It is not enough not to consume animal products, not to use cosmetics / household products that have been tested on animals or contain ingredients of animal origin and do not wear clothes / shoes made of wool, silk, leather, fur, etc. While presenting Direct Action Everywhere, there are some of the ways in which street activism can be done. DxE practicing methods are of a calm character, such as proposing expanding vegan offerings in health food stores, launching petitions, sharing leaflets, artistic performances, outreach with passers-by on the streets, displaying videos or films, workshops, presentations. There are then methods called disruptions, which are related to non-violent protests in shops, supermarkets, restaurants and other public places / events where the goal is to shock the audience and encourage them to think. Part of the DxE is also the so-called open rescue, where animal rights activists, at the cost of their own safety, save animals from farms and other locations.)

Anni Lanki (lijevo) i Shivonne Engen (desno), Photo: Mislav Skrepnik

Anni Lanki, kao predstavnica Berlin Animal Savea, uputila nas je malo u svoju priču vezanu uz aktivizam te objasnila značenje The Save Movementa, kako je pokret zapravo započeo i zašto je bitno biti svjedok na bdijenjima (vigilima) pred klaonicama.

“Ako smo proveli jedan dio svog života jedući ih, onda zaslužuju da provedemo i dio svog života kao svjedoci na njihovom zadnjem ispraćaju”, istaknula je Anni. (English: Anni Lanki, as a representative of the Berlin Animal Saving Center, took us a little into her story about activism and explained the meaning of The Save Movement, how the movement actually started and why it is important to be a witness on the vigils in front of the slaughterhouses. "If we spent a part of our lives eating them, then they deserve to spend some of their lives as witnesses at their last farewell," said Anni.)

Izgradnja pokreta (community building) je jedna od najvažnijih stavki u borbi za prava životinja. Podizanje morala, krug dijeljenja (sharing circle), druženje, ali i zajedničko planiranje akcija, međusobna potpora, razumijevanje, poticanje individualnosti i novih ideja. Funkcioniranje u zajednici aktivista sve više izgleda poput funkcioniranja ljudi u obitelji. Kvaliteta i uspješnost pokreta za prava životinja se ne vidi samo u postignućima i rezultatima, nego i u kvalitetnim odnosima u zajednicama aktivista.

(English: Building a community is one of the most important items in the struggle for animal rights. Morality raising, sharing circle, socializing, but also joint action planning, mutual support, understanding, fostering individuality and new ideas. Functioning in the community of activists increasingly looks like the functioning of people in the family. The quality and success of the animal rights movement is not only seen in achievements and results, but also in quality relationships in community activists.)

Photo: Mislav Skrepnik