Misplaced Pages

Revision as of 21:16, 4 December 2007

Keith Mann is a British animal rights campaigner and writer, widely regarded as operating "at the top of the Animal Liberation Front pyramid," and viewed as a cause célèbre within the movement.

The Guardian writes that Mann advocates a "turn to extremism" by the animal liberation movement, describing him as a "terrorist-style" saboteur who "cemented his place in animal rights folklore" after being jailed for attempted arson.

He is the author of From Dusk 'til Dawn: An insider's view of the growth of the Animal Liberation Movement (2007).

Early life and activism

Mann was raised in Rochdale, Lancashire by his father, who worked as a caretaker, and his mother, whom he describes as having done "everything else."

His first job was on a dairy farm while on a youth training scheme at school. He writes in From Dawn 'Til Dusk that his lasting memory of the job is the cows crying out all day searching for the calves that had been removed from them. He came into contact with rights activists in 1982, when he encountered some local hunt saboteurs handing out leaflets in the street, and was inspired by what he saw as their selflessness. His first removal of an animal from captivity was when he took a rabbit from a hutch that he used to walk past every day, after having asked the owner for weeks to do something about the rabbit's situation. He writes that this incident changed his view of "theft" forever, and that thereafter, he viewed himself as a "proud ALF activist." His next removal was of a tub of goldfish from a fairground, resulting in him having 53 goldfish in his bath for weeks until he found good ponds for them in Rochdale.

These acts of, as Mann sees it, "liberation" led to others that he says he is unable to confess to. He writes of his activism that: "There is something thrilling about this, of course — the rush of adrenalin that comes from facing the unknown — alarms, a chase, live animals, dead animals, prison, none or all of it." He writes that his involvement with the ALF has led to the happiest and saddest times of his life, as well as danger and trauma. He has fallen off buildings and through a roof; has jumped through a first-floor window; and has swum through a river wearing a pair of wellington boots, before jumping on a bus soaking wet and begging a free ride. He been shot at, spat on, punched, and driven at; had elephant urine thrown over him by an angry clown; has been chashed by men with spades; arrested, charged, and convicted for things he writes that he had not, in fact, done; and has been imprisoned and, while there, gone without food because he was unwilling to eat animal products.

Mann is considered by the police to be "at the top of the Animal Liberation Front pyramid." He has acted as a spokesman for the group and attracted the support of celebrities such as Carla Lane and Celia Hammond. In 1998, he predicted someone will die as a consequence of animal experimentation, noting "we are capable of dealing with anyone; no one has died yet, but that will come."

Convictions

Mann was first jailed in 1992 in connection with an attack on the home of a fox hunter. In 1994, he was sentenced to 14 years in jail, reduced to 11 years on appeal, for 21 offences including possession of explosives, incitement, criminal damage, and escape from custody. He had set a number of meat lorries on fire and, after his arrest, escaped from Stretford police station. The sentencing judge justified a lengthy custodial sentence by describing him as a "dangerous and fanatical" man whose tactics "bore all the hallmarks of terrorism."

After being paroled, he became involved, according to the Sunday Times, in the launch of a new campaign called Gateway to Hell, aimed at "targeting airports, ports and freight firms importing animals for experimentation." The National Extremism Tactical Co-ordination Unit believes the group is closely linked with SHAC, and it used similar tactics with attacks launched against the homes of five air transport executives within days of the campaign starting. Describing himself as a spokesman for the campaign Mann explained, "once we have stopped the airports, which we will do before too long, it is going to be difficult for them to find other ways of bringing animals in."

Mann was again jailed in April 2005, after raiding a research laboratory and removing 695 mice that were being used to test Dysport. He argued that the tests were illegal because the product was being tested for cosmetic purposes, which is banned in Britain. A court rejected his claims, and found that the tests were in compliance with UK regulations because Dysport is used for therapeutic purposes to prevent muscle spasms. He was found guilty of burglary and ordered to conduct 230 hours of community service. However, on leaving the court, Mann threatened a director of the research company, reportedly telling him, "Your trouble has only just started, you will need to look under your bed." Mann was charged with contempt of court and sentenced to a six months in custody, which he served in Winchester Prison.

Since his release from jail, he has continued to protest against animal testing on behalf of SHAC, which he calls "the most important campaign" in the animal liberation movement.

Writing

Mann's first book was published in May 2007. From Dusk 'til Dawn, with a foreword by British poet Benjamin Zephaniah and featuring Britches on its cover, offers a behind-the-scenes account of the animal liberation movement.

Notes

1. ^ "ALF extremist stands by call to flames", The Guardian, June 25, 2005.
2. Zephaniah, Benjamin, foreword, in Mann, Keith. From Dusk 'til Dawn, Puppy Pincher Press, 2007.
3. ^ "Veteran animal rights activist jailed after threat in court", The Guardian, April 30, 2005.
4. ^ Mann, Keith. From Dawn 'Til Dusk. Puppy Pincher Press, 2007, p. 13.
5. Mann, Keith. From Dawn 'Til Dusk. Puppy Pincher Press, 2007, p. 186.
6. ^ Mann, Keith. From Dawn 'Til Dusk. Puppy Pincher Press, 2007, p. 14.
7. ^ Animal rights activist jailed after threatening scientist, The Independent, April 30, 2005
8. Vegan bodybuilder funds animal extremists, The Sunday Times, March 15, 2007
9. ^ Airports are new target of animal groups, The Sunday Times, February 27, 2005
10. "Animal protester jailed after court threat", Portsmouth Today, 30 April, 2005
11. "No Apologises! No Compromises! No Prisoners!" Abolitionist Online, retrieved November 15, 2007

• Animal Liberation Front
• Animal rights movement
• Animal testing
• British activists
• British criminals
• Living people
• English vegans