Mobilizing a Movement (with Dan Kidby)

We live in an era of social movements. From #BlackLivesMatter to #FreePalestine, massive mobilizations of ordinary people have seized the national agenda – and reshaped policy of nations across the globe. How does it all happen? And can we do the same for animal rights? Dan Kidby is the co-founder of the UK-based Animal Rising, formerly Animal Rebellion, one of the most successful grassroots efforts in animal rights history. He and his fellow organizers have occupied massive meat markets, shut down the distribution network for McDonald’s, and saved 18 beagles from one of the largest dog research facilities in the nation in a daring daytime rescue. And they have done it on a shoestring budget, with a mostly volunteer network of activists. You’ll learn not only about the strategy that allowed Dan and his fellow activists to routinely make global headlines – and reshape the UK’s environmental movement in support of the fight against factory farms – but about his personal approach to creating change, including radical transparency in organizing. At a time where it seems so many of our institutions are failing, Animal Rising is… rising. And if they succeed, they’ll create a just and sustainable plant-based future for us all. More about Animal Rising- CNN coverage: https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/22/uk/animal-rebellion-mcdonalds-gbr-intl-scli/index.html\ BBC coverage: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4n2nk20mrvo And follow Animal Rising: https://www.animalrising.org/ https://www.instagram.com/animal.rising/ https://www.facebook.com/AnimalRising https://twitter.com/AnimalRising - The Simple Heart on Substack - Subscribe to Wayne Hsiung's newsletter to learn more about the #RightToRescue at https://simpleheart.org! - Chapters: Chapter 1 00:00-11:51 - Intro, Animal Rebellion/Extinction Rebellion, & Dan joining the animal rights movement Chapter 2 11:52-17:38 - Being in animal rights spaces & direct action Chapter 3 17:39-23:09 - Wayne & Dan before the animal rights movement Chapter 4 23:10-30:19 - Meditation & social justice movements Chapter 5 30:20-47:32 - Strategy, narrative, & nonviolence Chapter 6 47:33-1:03:26 - Rescue stories & systemic change for animals Chapter 7 1:03:27-1:10:38 - Collective Action Problem, conformity, & opportunity Chapter 8 1:10:39-1:27:54 - Starting Animal Rebellion (Animal Rising), starting Direct Action Everywhere (DxE), & talking with other organizations Chapter 9 1:27:55-1:37:59 - Building & maintaining relationships in the animal rights movement Chapter 10 1:38:00-1:51:15 - Security culture, police repression, & welcoming newcomers Chapter 11 1:51:16-2:02:06 - Openness of activists during “criminal” trials & when organizing actions Chapter 12 2:02:07-2:05:27 - Open rescues, open organizing culture, & strategic capacity Chapter 13 2:05:28-2:15:20 - Elevating people as leaders & removing people in the animal rights movement Chapter 14 2:15:21-2:20:05 - Final thoughts & outro