Laila Kassam of Animal Think Tank on popular protest movements, mass arrests, and publicity stunts
May 12, 2020
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Laila Kassam, a co-founder of Animal Think Tank and editor of a forthcoming book on food and agriculture, shares insights from her advocacy work. She discusses the dynamics of social movements and the strategies that succeed in shifting public opinion. Kassam explores the effectiveness of mass arrests and creative stunts in protests, drawing lessons from movements like Extinction Rebellion. Additionally, she reflects on the importance of grassroots activism and the need for narrative development in the animal justice movement.
Animal Think Tank utilizes the Social Movement Ecology Framework to foster collaboration among various groups for effective social change.
The role of public opinion in shaping social movements is crucial, with both polarizing actions and consensus-building tactics having significant effects.
Direct action and creative protest tactics are emphasized as vital strategies to engage the public and challenge animal exploitation norms.
Historical insights from movements like Civil Rights provide valuable lessons for animal advocacy, informing adaptive and experimental approaches to activism.
Deep dives
Animal Think Tank's Vision
Animal Think Tank is focused on building a broad-based anti-speciesist movement, aiming to collaborate with various individuals and organizations in the animal justice ecosystem. They share an aspiration similar to that of the Sentience Institute, utilizing historical research to inform effective strategies within the movement. A notable method being employed is the Social Movement Ecology Framework, which emphasizes the need for different groups to collaborate in unity while leveraging their various theories of change. This framework highlights personal transformation, building alternatives, and changing dominant institutions as essential components of their strategic direction.
Momentum-driven Organizing
Momentum-driven organizing serves as the backbone of Animal Think Tank's approach to mobilizing action and creating large-scale movements. This organizing model combines the energies of mass protests with sustainability principles to foster transformative social change. One of the model's key components is the cycle of momentum, which encompasses escalation, absorption, and increased popular support, allowing activists to effectively trigger significant public reactions. An example of this approach in practice can be found in the operational dynamics of movements like Extinction Rebellion, which serves as inspiration for Animal Think Tank's strategies.
The Importance of Narrative
Narrative plays a crucial role in the movement for animal justice, acting as a vehicle to engage the public and frame the conversation around animal welfare. Animal Think Tank recognizes the need for a developed metanarrative that resonates with people’s existing values and beliefs to effectively catalyze change. They emphasize the significance of storytelling in their actions, aiming to design impactful demonstrations that evoke emotion and drive public discourse. The ongoing narrative research project aims to equip animal advocates with the tools to effectively communicate core messages, thereby increasing the movement's reach and influence.
Lessons from Social Movements
Learning from historical social movements provides valuable insights into effective strategies in animal advocacy. Animal Think Tank draws parallels between their work and the experiences of past movements, utilizing lessons from the Civil Rights Movement and the Suffrage Movement to guide their approach. They acknowledge both the successes and the limitations of these historical examples, fostering a mindset of experimentation and adaptation to develop effective tactics. This reflective approach involves continuously learning from the complexities of activism and the dynamic nature of social change.
Community Building and Engagement
Animal Think Tank aims to enhance community engagement by nurturing strong, decentralized structures that empower activists. Their focus on community organizing emphasizes the importance of building networks of leaders and supporters who can mobilize effectively for animal justice. The development of local chapters, grassroots initiatives, and inter-organizational collaborations are pivotal to cultivating a robust movement. By fostering relationships at every level, they seek to expand their influence and create lasting change within communities.
The Role of Direct Action
Direct action is a tactic used by Animal Rebellion and other affiliates to raise awareness and drive public interest in animal rights. This approach often includes confrontational tactics designed to challenge societal norms surrounding animal exploitation. The organization aims to develop a community of activists willing to participate in nonviolent civil disobedience, emphasizing the need for impactful, community-based protests. They believe that direct action serves not just to disrupt but also to instigate broader conversations about ethical consumption and systemic change.
Building a Mass Movement
The overarching goal of Animal Think Tank is to create a mass movement for animal justice in the UK by systematically developing its foundational elements, or 'DNA.' This involves crafting a compelling narrative, structuring an inclusive organization, and devising strategies that relate to broader societal contexts. With ongoing projects aimed at conducting narrative research and evaluating their approach to on-the-ground activism, they are setting the stage for sustained impact. The recruitment of passionate individuals to join their mission is a key element of their plan to mobilize resources and expand their efforts.
Social movements often seek to shift public opinion and mobilize supporters on a large scale. But which tactics achieve these goals most effectively? And how have social movements achieved this in the past?
Dr Laila Kassam is a co-founder of Animal Think Tank and the co-editor of the forthcoming book, Rethinking Food and Agriculture: New Ways Forward.
Topics discussed in the episode:
“The social movement ecology” and the theoretical framework that Animal Think Tank uses (3:10)
The importance of public opinion for social change, and the pros and cons of actions that polarize public opinion (16:35)
The evidence base the Animal Think Tank and This Is An Uprising use, and the weaknesses of using social movement evidence to glean strategic knowledge for the farmed animal movement (20:55)
Extinction Rebellion and Animal Rebellion — what they’re doing, why, and Animal Think Tank’s lessons from the first actions (25:48)
Sacrifice, demandingness, and mass arrests as potential motivators and demotivators for activists (33:07)
Creative actions, stunts, gimmicks and the effects that these have on perceptions of social movements (42:07)
The value of confrontational tactics like Direct Action Everywhere’s disruption of Bernie Sanders’ rally (49:30)
Whether veganism or “active and sustained participation” in the movement is more tractable (55:38)
Animal Think Tank’s current research priorities (1:02:22)
Other resources that Animal Think Tank recommends reading (1:09:12)
Rethinking Food and Agriculture — Laila’s co-edited book and the value of expertise in “sustainable agriculture” for the farmed animal movement (1:17:17)
Laila’s experience with international development work and her concerns with this field (1:25:15)
The importance of funding constraints for Animal Rebellion and other organisations focusing on building a mass protest movement (1:33:08)
Resources discussed in the episode are available at https://www.sentienceinstitute.org/podcast
