The Terrorization of Dissent: Corporate Repression, Legal Corruption, and the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act

by Jason Del Gandio, Anthony J. Nocella II (Editor), Piers Beirne (Foreword)

In 2006 the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA) was passed with the intention to equip law enforcement agencies with the tools to apprehend, prosecute, and convict individuals who commit "animal enterprise terror." But, as many have come to realize, this act does not concretely define what is meant by that phrase, leading to the interpretation that anyone interfering with a company's ability to make a profit from the exploitation of animals can be considered a terrorist. In this unprecedented and timely collection, some of the most influential voices in the world of law and animal rights examine the legalities of the AETA, highlight its repressive nature and the collusion between private interests and political legislation, and provide theoretical frameworks for understanding a variety of related issues. In a series of interviews, the book also gives animal advocates who have been convicted or directly affected by the AETA, including members of the AETA 4 and SHAC 7, an opportunity to speak for themselves. Ultimately, these writers show that the AETA is less about fighting terrorism and more about safeguarding corporate profit, and that it should be analyzed and resisted by everyone who believes in a better world. Featuring: Piers Beirne, Sarahjane Blum, Heidi Boghosian, Walter Bond, Joseph Buddenberg, Sarat Colling, Kimberly E. McCoy, Jason Del Gandio, Scott DeMuth, Carol L. Glasser, Jennifer D. Grubbs, Josh Harper, Stephanie Jenkins, Jay Johnson, Eric Jonas, Michael Loadenthal, Dara Lovitz, Lillian M. McCartin, Anthony J. Nocella II, David Naguib Pellow, Will Potter, Dylan Powell, Ryan Shapiro, Wesley Shirley, John Sorenson, Vasile Stanescu, Brad J. Thomson, and Aaron Zellhoefer

Genres: Nonfiction, Research, Activism

309 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2014

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never felt so compelled to write a review. I am an animal rights supporter but I’ve never considered myself an activist.
I grew up with this idea that ALF/ELF was not the right group to fall in with, not knowing any actual facts about them. My negative views of them have certainly changed. Do I support all they do? No, but now I firmly believe in their right to do it without excessive penalties or earning the ridiculous label of terrorist. This isn’t just a book for animal rights supporters either! The potential negative use of the AETA can effect many other social justice activists/supporters of other types.
This book was such a huge discovery for me in regards to law, government, and social justice movements. The anthology format with varied perspectives and topics was great for someone with such little historical/theoretical/ law based knowledge. I feel like this book has been a gateway for me to explore these topics further. It’s reignited that passion that has dwindled in the last 10 years as “real” life has taken root.

Bottom line: If you have any concern for freedom of speech in the US, read this book.

[Martin Rowe]

I'm the publisher of this book, and thought I'd provide a bit of background to this book. Lantern has published widely on the subject of animal advocacy, and this book aligns nicely with our other concern as a publisher—which is the First Amendment right to express one's opinion, even if it is unpopular or presented in an obnoxious manner. We published a clearly presented and compellingly argued monograph some years ago by Dara Lovitz, a lawyer, called MUZZLING A MOVEMENT, about the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act. We also published ten years ago a well-received and polemical anthology by Steven Best and Anthony Nocella entitled TERRORISTS OR FREEDOM FIGHTERS? about the Animal Liberation Front. This anthology contains in-depth information on the passage of the AETA, and the political, legal, and corporate background to its creation—as well as why it is unconstitutional and has had a chilling effect on legal protest and direct action on behalf of animals. The volume also contains several compelling interviews with individuals currently behind bars because of convictions under the AETA. This subject should be of great concern to all those interested in freedom of expression and assembly.