Together
We campaign in whatever way we are able to at the moment, always trying to make a contribution to a saner more just reality for all.
We have written and produced songs, designed products that promote more conscious/compassionate lifestyles, started vegan businesses and attempted to launch many more, conceived and atempted to implement a myriad of outreach programs, written numbers of essays, distributed books, leaflets, etc. wherever it might do some good.
Yet, we have found ourselves victims of COINTELPRO style programs to thwart our activities. Slander, theft of personal resources and interference with personal and professional relationships are some of the tactics that have been used to limit our effectiveness. In fact, physical and economic attacks were so numerous and continued for so long that we were finally driven into homelessnes in the winter of 2008. At the brink of starvation, unbathed and frightened... the attacks continued (see below).
But we also continue... to seek ways to heal this society because Life Matters; yours, ours and ALL other animals and everything that is a part of this highly conscious interactive system we call Life.
In regard to COINTELPRO, it should be mentioned that several of the businesses and non-profits that sprang up following the FBI's announcement that it would be investigating ALL vegetarians in the mid nineties appear to be surveillance and control mechanisms launched to direct and 'weed' the movement. These include VegNews, Veganica, Vegan Essentials, and (at least) the IDA chapter in the SF bay area headed by Alfredo Kuba (which is engaged in promoting entrapment scenarios so WATCH OUT!). Associated with these groups are writers who plagiarize the works of legitimate, but targeted activists in order to quickly garner respect for themselves within the vegan/environmental movement.
Not only do these groups facilitate control and surveillance, they provide the false sense that freedom of speech and economic pursuit exists for most vegans. But, nothing could be further from the truth.
For instance, shortly after we became homeless, we made our way to Baja Sur where free camping was available. On the same beach where we camped were several others, mostly Canadians and Americans. There was also an abandoned house. We thought the house would make a great beachfront cafe so we decided to try to locate some used cooking equipment and make vegan burritos at cost for everyone. And, as life would have it, we met an organic farmer who liked our idea and volunteered to supply free produce (whatever he failed to sell that day). But soon after we began planning this, groups of apparently unrelated people showed up, all within days of each other and quickly struck up close 'friendships'.
They took over the house, slashed our tent, air mattress and clothing (when we left to get provisions), sicced dogs on us, painted "The Militant Vegan Cafe" on the side of the house and made a big to do about serving a meat centered dinner for many of our fellow campers. Other harrassment schemes were planned and executed. They also began an aggressive slander campaign even approaching people with whom we only exchanged polite 'hello's'.
The fact that we were dealing with a coordinated military/secret service attack was apparent but just in case we had any doubts: One night, we watched out of sight as Cliff Drill, a vegan business owner (Splaff), participated in an operation that entered the camp of four young Canadian surfers while they were gone with night vision equipment and carefully examined all of their gear. It can not be overstated that; many so-called vegan and vegetarian spokespersons and entrepreneurs are essentially nothing more than 'wolves' undercover.
The FBI, military secret services and their international partners respect no borders. And, activists are often given plenty of reason for caution no matter where they go.
I hope you will read this article about COINTELPRO. I have not related the tiniest percent of the total atttacks on us nor those that were most violent and frightening. But, I have tried to demonstrate how the COINTELPRO program operates to isolate activists and prevent their thoughts and activities from informing the general society (except as they may get appropriated, spun and incorporated into the programs of approved sources and entities).
