Page 22 - the SyI Quarterly 14 Booklet Format
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Our Membership
Animal Rights)
“Extremism …An increasing • Encourage whistleblowing from targeted companies
• …And ‘New Media’ brings celebrity star quality...which in turn assists in funding protest movements….
problematical issue Celebrity supporters = provide and attract significant money and publicity
• Many stars support protest campaigns
• TV, film celebrities speak at various rallies and fund Raisers –
- By Guy Mathias FSyI • Fracking This can fund:
• Anti-globalisation /Anarchist • Activists to work 24/7 ‘on the job’
• Social Justice • Paid, full-time researchers, analysts, and organisers…. beavering away in the background
• Speciesism • Travel and expenses for international demonstrations
Campaigns have evolved but Extremism has been ‘Street-Wise’ / ‘Legal-Wise’
with us for decades. Some campaigns have proved • Legal professionals provide ‘at scene’ advice at Demonstrations
successful, but many struggled to make a real impact • Protestor ‘guides’ are in evidence
politically or publicly. So…Campaigns are increasingly • Legal representation at major trials
global in ambition and scale…and the tactics have • Civil Actions for ‘unlawful arrests’
evolved, that brings us to the How…. • Settlement claims and awards - if successful - fund campaigns
• Researchers will assess company balance sheets and results and then can, from them
• Identify directors, affiliates/ associates as potential targets
Internet
• Provides fast email communication • Misinformation published as financial facts
• Encryption – can be hard to crack
• Facilitates cyber-attacks against targets Activism has developed its effectiveness and reach, and Activists are:
• Activist websites on uncontrolled ISP’s • Tactically flexible
• Disinformation/ Misinformation – very challenging • Relentless
to rebut! • Pursue targets with ‘zeal and passion’
I would like to begin with a quote from my • Are willing to ‘sacrifice’ and if necessary, risk incarceration
background when combatting single-issue Extremism. Mobile phones & Social media facilitate: • Prison time - (within limits!)
• Instant comm’s! • Prison - can be considered a badge of honour
“Every social justice movement has embraced • Plans secret - until last minute execution of those
violence...every successful social justice movement plans Intimidation is a key weapon of choice for activists…
has utilized violent tactics to achieve their goals....” • ‘mobile demonstrations’ • Activists will Ignore ‘legal’ niceties
Dr. JERRY VLASAK, Animal Defence League • Untraceable - ‘pay as you go • Target individuals, families, secondary, tertiary targets
• Prepared to inflict serious damage
Extremism embraces many causes, and, in this article,
I wanted to pose the following question - What are Extremist Groups – multi-country/ mutual support • Overt threats – staff and families
today’s challenges regarding single-issue protesting • European Activists cross EU borders n groups of • Damage to buildings
and activism? mixed nationality • Home Visits’ leading to damage and intimidation
• XR – EXTREME REBELLION/ Anti-Globalisation • Vehicles vandalised / damaged
We know there are so many causes that increasingly • Earth Liberation Front (ELF)…and ALF
resonate with every cross-section of society:
Cyber conspiracies - Our systems have
• Anti-Fossil Fuels/ Global Warming/ Animal Rights vulnerabilities…
groups • Secure connectivity via social networking
• Radical environmental direct-action groups – XR • Recognized criminal hierarchy
(Extremist Rebellion) • Strong international relations
• Anti-nuclear • Solidarity against targets and state
• Anti-war groups • Cyberspace has opened a new battleground for
• Anti-arms trade “hearts and minds” …. for attacking company
• Extreme right wing/ Extreme nationalists reputations
• GM crops • ‘Social media’ devices make organisation of groups
much easier (as seen with Extinction First and
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