angry-hippo:

Contrary to the claims of certain liberals, animal liberationists have historically had broad politics that embrace intersectionality, challenge the state, and threaten capitalism. One of my favorite examples is the Northern Animal Liberation League, better known as NALL. Under the slogan, “Over the fence when they least expect it,” NALL members carried out mass demonstrations that regularly turned into daylight raids. Sometimes hundreds of activists would invade a laboratory or farm and simply overwhelm the security. Why the mass raids instead of the clandestine work of groups like the ALF? Well, the members of NALL believed that the ALF was too individualistic, and that widespread public participation was a necessary component of direct action. This theory did not work for them as time went on and they became too infiltrated to stay operational, but the roots of their organizing sprang from radical stances on communalism, socialism, and anti-statism. NALL members frequently participated in struggles outside of those directly tied to non-human rights, like protests against the poll tax and support for Britain’s striking miners. These early pioneers are a wonderful example of the breadth of our compassion and the inclusive, revolutionary politics espoused by early animal lib militants.