Strike at the Roots of Animal Cruelty!
Animal activists shine a bright light into the dark recesses of factory farms,
vivisection labs, fur farms, product-testing facilities and animal "training"
complexes. Their actions foster today's growing awareness of animal
abuse, inspire awakenings and help create changes for billions of lives
every year.
Striking at the Roots: A Practical Guide to Animal Activism brings
together the most effective tactics for speaking out for animals and gives voice to activists from around the globe, who explain why their models of activism have been successful and how you can become involved.
Concise and full of practical examples and resources, this manual for success will show you how many of the worlds most engaged activists overcome obstacles, effectively speak to the public, lobby policymakers, conduct corporate and restaurant outreach, deal with law enforcement, cope with stress and avoid burnout, all while keeping their eyes on the prize of achieving victories for animals.
This book will empower you to make the most of your skills. From simple leafleting to taking direct action, each chapter clearly explains where to begin, what to expect and how to ensure your message is heard.
What people are saying about Striking at the Roots:
"Brilliant, easy to read, full of real-life experiences and practical examples. If you want to make your life count, influence others and save a few thousand lives, this book is your roadmap. Give it to everyone you know!"
Ingrid Newkirk, president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
"Striking at the Roots is a practical field guide for animal rights activists that covers a wide spectrum of strategies and tactics for dealing with the media, the courts, the streets, and those foul dark places of horror where animals are so cruelly treated and where compassionate activists must reluctantly venture in pursuit of effective intervention. If you are serious about helping animals, then you should seriously read this book."
Captain Paul Watson, founder and president of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
"Striking at the Roots by Mark Hawthorne is an eloquent reminder that in this age of big organizations, big money, and big media, it's still the individual activist who makes the real difference. Clear, practical guidance on everything from letter writing to civil disobedience is combined with inspiring and edifying stories of people from around the world who are making their voices heard for the animals. A must-read for both the veteran activist and the person who wants to get involved but isnt quite sure how to get started. I wish it had been available when I got started as an animal activist, and I'm certainly glad it's here now. It ranks with the best guides to animal advocacy that have ever been written."
Norm Phelps, author of The Longest Struggle: Animal Advocacy from Pythagoras to PETA and The Great Compassion: Buddhism and Animal Rights
"In Striking at the Roots, Mark Hawthorne manages to set before us the full horrors of man's inhumanity to animals without leaving the reader feeling helpless and puny. He has talked to campaigners in many countries, analyzing what works and, having done so, can signpost the way to positive action. His writing is lucid, shrewd and results-driven. He advises on everything from talking to the public at a street stall to affecting a change of policy at a major corporation. There is also guidance on how to survive emotionally the knowledge that, second by second, money and prestige come to those who mass produce, abuse and dispose of animals. His message is that the task we face is immense but that when people of compassion apply themselves skillfully, we have what it takes to change the world."
Andrew Tyler, director of Animal Aid
"Mark Hawthorne demonstrates that anyone, regardless of the resources at their disposal, can and should get active for animals. His advice for positive, results-oriented advocacy will help advance the cause of animal protection. For anyone interested in what they can do to garner wins for animals, Mark's book is a great place to start."
Wayne Pacelle, president and chief executive officer of the Humane Society of the
"There is not a single page of this book from which I did not learn something valuable!"
Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, author of When Elephants Weep: The Emotional Lives of Animals and The Pig Who Sang to the Moon: The Emotional World of Farm Animals
"Mark Hawthorne once again reminds us of the power of one. Striking at the Roots is a complete roadmap for animal activists, from letter writing to guiding those who may find themselves arrested. It directs readers to available resources, organizations, and individuals. But it goes beyond the general guide book by including passionate stories from national leaders and grassroots activists from several countries. It also considers the emotional toll on activists by offering guidance for finding ones emotional level of activism and includes suggestions on maintaining some peace of mind while engaged in the struggle; this is a major contribution. Striking at the Roots is a compassionate and valuable tool for activists."
Dorothy H. Hayes, author of Animal Instinct
"Striking at the Roots is an eloquent and inspirational guide to action for animals. The power to change society rests with each and every one of us its not enough to change ourselves, we have an obligation to planet Earth, to the web of life itself, to change others. This book motivates and informs, puts the passion into compassion and will save lives."
Juliet Gellatley, founder and director of Viva!