Trespass, animals and democratic engagement

Clare McCausland

Abstract:

Since at least the 1970s, one of the stock standard tools in the animal protection movement's arsenal has been illegal entry into factory farms and animal research facilities. This activity has been followed by the publication of images and footage captured inside those otherwise socially invisible places. Trespass and the subsequent dissemination of images is a practice underpinned by the belief that one of the reasons animal suffering is legally permissible is that many people are unaware of the extent to which some modern animal uses inflict pain. In this paper we examine the ethics and politics of trespass by animal advocates. Is illegal entry onto private property justified in the name of animal rights? Is trespass consistent with the principles of civil disobedience? We also consider what type of political framework animal advocates who break the law in that way should look to in order to justify their actions.

Location: Cussonia Court Room 1 (in the courtyard between the Old Quad (Building 150) and the Old Arts buildings).