The Struggle for Animal Rights

Where does the animal rights movement come from and where is it going to? Reform or Revolution? - the eternal question of social change How can democracy be saved from state repression? The modern animal rights movement as a social struggle was born in England in 1964 with intellectual criticism of and direct action against the way nonhuman animals are treated in society at once. From there it mushroomed into society at large and into other countries. The end of the 1980s saw the downfall of fur as a prestigious fashion item followed by the rise of vegetarianism and veganism together with increased pressure on factory farming. The empire stroke back, though, an unprecedented wave of repression hit the ambitious movement. Now we are at the dividing line, will economy and multinational concern power prevail or can democracy and social justice gain the upper hand? A personal account of 34 years of political engagement for animals rights and the environment.