We've been watching as ten animal protection campaigners were arrested
and are now being held in Austria, at first without charges, and now
with very generic charges of being part of a "criminal organization."
The Austrian animal movement has been among the most effective in the
world, in large part because activists there recognize the importance
of peaceful tactics and incremental change. It's not hard to come to
the conclusion that these arrests are politically motivated.
Many of the imprisoned activists are involved with VGT, the Association Against Animal Factories, and their site has up-to-date information on what's happening. One good run-down is the article: Police Repression against Animal Protection in Austria: A Summary, and don't miss this letter from Dr. Martin Balluch (one of the ten imprisoned) about his experiences.
The Canadian radio program Animal Voices has released a show about this crack-down, which includes a 2004 interview with Dr. Balluch. It's inspiring to hear his words on effective activism and pragmatism, but also interesting to hear him condemn the kinds of actions the Austrian government is trying to pin on him and his colleagues.
ARI's thoughts are with the Austrian activists, and we wish for their prompt release.
Many of the imprisoned activists are involved with VGT, the Association Against Animal Factories, and their site has up-to-date information on what's happening. One good run-down is the article: Police Repression against Animal Protection in Austria: A Summary, and don't miss this letter from Dr. Martin Balluch (one of the ten imprisoned) about his experiences.
The Canadian radio program Animal Voices has released a show about this crack-down, which includes a 2004 interview with Dr. Balluch. It's inspiring to hear his words on effective activism and pragmatism, but also interesting to hear him condemn the kinds of actions the Austrian government is trying to pin on him and his colleagues.
ARI's thoughts are with the Austrian activists, and we wish for their prompt release.
UPDATE: According to VGT, as of September 3rd, 2008, the Austrian government has released all of the imprisoned activists.
