Resisting Surveillance in the Animal Rights Movement

• In Event: Poster Session I

Abstract

The researcher conducted face-to-face and phone interviews with 11 activists in the states of Nevada, Oregon, and Colorado to determine the extent and impact of surveillance within the animal rights movement. An unexpected finding of this research was that the majority of the sample in the study were aware of the concept of surveillance. Additionally, many activists expressed the view that surveillance was an inevitable part of being an activist. Many activists also reported that they took precautionary measures to avoid surveillance and actively partook in counter-surveillance measures. Despite their knowledge of and exposure to surveillance, it does not appear that state-sponsored surveillance has stifled the willingness of activists to participate in the animal rights movement.

Author

• Cassandra Boyer, University of Nevada, Las Vegas