Numerous animal rights arrests - not many convictions
Gary | 10.11.2008 16:26 | Stop Sequani Animal Testing | Animal Liberation
In late September there began a campaign by police forces all around the UK and throughout Europe and North America to arrest people involved in animal rights and liberation activities. These arrests were often on the most flimsy of evidence, evidence that is some cases was obtained illeagly. There have been developments since then and regretfully some individuals are still in jail however the majority are free and although are bailed to return to court are at least not stuck in prison.
There is however an ongoing and bigger problem facing us all. A problem that is either being denied or hidden by some people within our movement - police infiltration and police informers. Nearly all of these arrests were the result of inside information, some of it gained we know by the copying of Sean Kirley's computer others by some individuals simply selling what they know to the police. We all of course have our views of these people, poverty, fear, a feeling of being 'in over ones head' all are possible drivers but the fact remains that this has resulted in us being probably weaker than we have been in years and god knows what information in the hands of the police.
Despite that some still think that the way to deal with this challenge is to hide or deny it. Even Indymedia uk here which in the past had been great for telling the truth felt the need to become part of the cover up. See this series of posts ---------
www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/09/408433.html?c=all
The police action is spreading, they are sharing information across borders and are co-ordinating their efforts. Today in Poland three arrests of individuals just because they were on Sean Kirtley's email listings !
I really strongly encourage everybody to remember the basics of security, no mobile phone calls, no emails, meet only face to face. Be wary of anybody new that seems very keen to be involved, never keep records in electronic format and most importantly of all remember your friends and please, please do not sell them out.
We all need to stay together for the sake of the cause we all love so much.
There is however an ongoing and bigger problem facing us all. A problem that is either being denied or hidden by some people within our movement - police infiltration and police informers. Nearly all of these arrests were the result of inside information, some of it gained we know by the copying of Sean Kirley's computer others by some individuals simply selling what they know to the police. We all of course have our views of these people, poverty, fear, a feeling of being 'in over ones head' all are possible drivers but the fact remains that this has resulted in us being probably weaker than we have been in years and god knows what information in the hands of the police.
Despite that some still think that the way to deal with this challenge is to hide or deny it. Even Indymedia uk here which in the past had been great for telling the truth felt the need to become part of the cover up. See this series of posts ---------
www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/09/408433.html?c=all
The police action is spreading, they are sharing information across borders and are co-ordinating their efforts. Today in Poland three arrests of individuals just because they were on Sean Kirtley's email listings !
I really strongly encourage everybody to remember the basics of security, no mobile phone calls, no emails, meet only face to face. Be wary of anybody new that seems very keen to be involved, never keep records in electronic format and most importantly of all remember your friends and please, please do not sell them out.
We all need to stay together for the sake of the cause we all love so much.
Gary
Homepage:
http://www.abolitionistapproach.com
Comments
Hide the following 9 comments
Troll
10.11.2008 16:43
ARC
Your evidence?
10.11.2008 16:47
We all know the importance of activist security and have no problems with people sending out reminders to be secure. HOWEVER linking Sean Kirtley and Sequani 6 evidence to arrests in Poland sounds like another round of bullshit.
Are you claiming to be Professor Gary Francione who blogs at abolitionist approach?
He never EVER signs his postings Gary....
ConcernedActivist
please spare us!!!
10.11.2008 17:30
At the risk of boring everyone to tears again I repeat Sean's computer was taken by the police when they raided his house. This is what they do, they do not require someone to sneak in. Encryption is very advisable.
In all fairness though the bloke pretending to be Gary Francoine does give some sound advice about being careful.
Lynn Sawyer
trollLOLin around
10.11.2008 17:41
1. Being aware of police informants is common sense. We do not need to be hysterical about it. Asking people to stop being hysterical about it does NOT mean we are trying to censor or ignore the issue. The reason previous posts were hidden by indymedia is because they aren't stupid and can also see that the same few people are trying to hype up something that isn't really a problem and doesn't need to stop us recruiting new people or allowing people to get involved in protest.
2. Most of the recent arrests were NOT due to "insider knowledge". Most were a flimsy attempt by police who had little or no evidence and were grasping at straws.
3. All of the posts claiming that the AR movement is wrought with insiders and informations have yet to post ANY evidence.
4. Allegations over Sean's hard drive getting copied still fail to have manifested into any tangible proof and even IF it were true (highly unlikely), those who keep going on about this seem to keep bypassing the fact that Sean was arrested for Sequani not SHAC.
Yes, there will be informants within any protest movement. We all know this and we all just get on with things with this in mind, staying secure but not shutting people out or stopping what we're doing. What is happening here is quite simply that people are trying to split up the AR movement with speculation, lies and hysteria. They think that causing distrust amongst our own will make everything break down and stop. Unfortunately, those responsible are not that bright and most posts are written in the same poor way, with the same grammatical errors and along the same ridiculous lines.
Keep troll spottin' guys :o)
TrollWatchUK
Reply To Gary
10.11.2008 17:51
xXx
Pan The Friend & Protector Of All The Animals
what to do with informers ???
10.11.2008 18:08
bones
for goodness sake!
10.11.2008 19:40
so whoever you are stop using and abusing his name.
i should know
could it be.......
10.11.2008 20:05
Culprits?
g
Gary Francione
12.11.2008 14:57
Why would a genuine activist pretend to be another activist or proport to be speaking on behalf of an organisation they are not involved with?
So far we have had someone pretending to be from Veggies and someone else(or the same person) pretending to be from the Vegan Prisoner Support Group to name but 2. All in all folks it does not work, you see we are all quite capable of contacting one another to see if for example VPSG have made a post. Give us some credit and maybe use a little more sophistication next time.
Lynn Sawyer