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INTERVIEW

How did you get involved in animal rights?

I was first exposed to the reality of life for animals after finding myself in a slaughterhouse as an inquisitive youngster. It was the biggest rude awakening of my life to discover the truth about how we treat animals for food. Seeing the fright in the wide eyes of these gentle souls as they near the end of the lives is something that will always haunt me. Following this experience I went out of my way to find other animal abuse and expose it to others. I joined the campaigns of like minded people and became a committed activist for animals.

How old were you?

15

Why animal rights – when so many humans need help? Aren’t human needs more important?

The enormous waste of feed that goes into rearing meat, the excessive consumption of water, the degradation of the land by over grazing, the raping of the oceans, the dangerous use of animal tested drugs and other animal tested toxins are all human rights issues. As long as we consider ourselves as more important than those weaker and more vulnerable than us we will never find peace. It’s imperative for all our futures that we evolve from this position of superiority and a reliance on violence and learn to respect non human life. The roof of the problem is the best place to begin.

I know you have done prison sentences because of your involvement, can you tell me about them?

I have been imprisoned twice for my Animal Liberation Front activity, the first time they punished me with an 11 year prison sentence. The next one was for 18 months. I had been involved in sabotage and animal rescue raids which are evidentially having the desired effect if the reaction of the authorities is any indication. It usually is. I received a great deal of support while in prison from people all over the world.

How do you feel about criminal damage in the name of the ALF?

I really don't feel very much when I hear about inanimate objects being harmed and it baffles me when I see people getting more animated and angry by such things than they do about the extreme violence inflicted on a massive scale to sentient beings. Life takes precedence over property.

What advice would you give to activists who are just starting out?

Remove yourself from complicity with the meat and dairy industries. These industries are jointly responsible for more animal suffering and death than any other. However far removed we might think we are from engaging in animal abuse we are directly responsible for heinous crimes with every mouthful of their flesh. For the record, fish are not floating vegetables and vegetarians don't eat them.

You have written a book “From Dusk till Dawn” – can you tell us a little bit more about that?

I started this project while serving time in prison but luckily the 15 years it took to complete weren't all spent inside! From Dusk till Dawn tells the fascinating story of growth of the Animal Liberation Movement from early thinkers like Pythagoras to the modern day Underground Railroad for animals the Animal Liberation Front. It's a 680 page book full of images of activists in action and can be obtained from www.fromdusktildawn.org.uk or locally from Beauty without Cruelty Cape Town on 021 559 7324

Tell us more about your involvement in the documentary “Behind the Mask" ?

It has always been important to me to tell the truth and even closer to my heart the truth about our treatment of other animals. Behind the Mask is the most incredible film ever made on the Animal Liberation Front. It's not full of the usual horrors associated with animal rights issues and very watchable. It's the film version of the book and getting rave reviews and should be watched by everyone.

You travel all around the world - how do you feel activism in Britain differs from the rest of the world?

We are a little further ahead in the UK but there are really exciting things happening in many other countries right now as humans wake up to the negativity of our domineering behaviour.

How have you dealt with the threats to your freedom of expression and freedom to gather imposed on you by the British Government?

I like many others have continued to do all I am able to bring about change. What we are doing is an essential part of human evolution and it can't be stopped. It's up to all of us who care to do all we can. Governments are controlled by those we seek to affect so we have to accept a backlash as an essential part of that process and work through it however we can. We are graced with some highly motivated, focussed campaigners for whom there is one goal.

What’s it like to be an animal right activist in jail – how do the other prisoners respond to you?

With some curiosity at first.
As someone who has acted with selflessness yet paid a heavy price there is some confusion for those among us who are driven by money and the most common question I got was 'how much did you get for helping animals?' They thought I was mad when I said ‘nothing’, but the huge amount of support I received showed them there was something to what I was trying to do. Nearly every day I would get letters of support from around the world and many people visiting me. As our movement is made up predominantly of women this is big kudos in a male prison!

Do you even have a private life – how do family members respond to your work?

My family has become other campaigners for animals. Some of my natural family have followed my example other just talk about one day doing so, some couldn't give a toss for anyone or thing but themselves. It is important that we all take time out for ourselves and enjoy the delights of life on this beautiful planet and the kindly folk who inhabit it. It is also important that we mix with those not so enlightened so we can influence them, even if this just means remaining upright and able to function normally in their presence even if we haven't consumed animal body parts!

God gave us dominion over animals; if God says its OK to use animals for food, who are you to argue against God and what it says in the Bible?

My initial response to this was to swear! It's a very weak excuse for using violence. Lets say I don't believe any god would wish hope or desire that the amazing creatures he had created would be so readily massacred at the hands of his most advanced creation. Violence is not the way of the whole human and we have a duty to care for those weaker and more vulnerable than us not decimate and torture them. To respect and nurture is not just an instinct it is an essential ingredient and one I believe God would respect over the indiscriminate use of extreme violence.

Do you ever get scared? ?

Yes. I fear for the future of our planet. I fear I wont be able to do enough to help make things right. Yes, I fear for myself. Fear however, does not stop others from suffering very real physical pain and distress. For evil to flourish needs only the enlightened to do nothing.

Interview by Lejane Hardy, BWC

Keith Mann talking to interested participant at the Beauty without Cruelty hosted South Africa Animal Rights Film Festival held in Cape Town recently