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What have been the main turnpoint in your life and how did they shape you?

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Hi Pelle,

Thanks for coming in today. In your 2012 interview with Birger Schlaug, he asks you to define civil obedience, which you define (roughly translated) as a non-violent act for good things, standing for what you do while also respecting everyone involved, even those who maintain injustices.

But how can you be sure you are respecting all people in your acts of civil disobedience? For example, when you freed hens, I find it very hard to believe that the chicken-coop owner felt respected even if you did give him a chocolate box.

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Do you think violence in activism can ever be appropriate? Do you believe that peaceful protests are the most effective in the long run?

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We see different initiatives in the United States to honor and subsidize services to the veterans.  The servicemen’s readjustment act of 1944 and the Purple Heart are examples. The purple Heart is a token for injured soldiers by the enemy in Iraq and Afghanistan. According to your knowledge, is it easy to tell if the United States is pro-dialogue?  In this scenario would you participate as an activist?
By Narice

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your stance and use of peaceful activism is inspiring. However, when such methods are met with violence, it is not  uncommon that the peaceful protests turn violent. What is the best approach to keep the situation peaceful and address the violent opposition?

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For many individuals, breaking the law in order to convey social change or to express themselves is not a route they are willing to take. It seems to me that you do not belong to that category of people based on your actions as an activist. I am curious to know the way you perceived your actions on an ethical ground, and how far would you be willing to go in order to achieve your activist goals.

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Hello Pelle, thanks for coming to speak with us on Monday! Similar to some other questions here, I am curious as to your thoughts on changing peoples' way of thinking about eating sustainably in contemporary society. Particularly, I wonder what you think about the fact that in some countries that are privileged enough, vegetarianism and veganism are on the rise but following such diets can be inordinately expensive; on the other hand, in countries where meat has long been a rare luxury, as it becomes more accessible it is consumed in greater quantities, as a symbol of status. While it is scientifically shown that vegetarianism is better for the planet and for people's health, those often are not convincing enough arguments for many--what or how can these ideas be communicated to various economic groups more successfully, and what structural adjustments are necessary for large scale change?

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To achieve change in the sense of a sustainable livelihood for all beings on this planet, what role do you think plays personal constraint? Assuming that constraining ourselves with respect to our own habits (for instance flying, eat meat, consumption etc.) is necessary, how do you think can one spread such a value, especially in neoliberal countries where constraint is regarded as an impediment of your very own freedom?

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Your beliefs help u towards positive impact in society thought there was a lot of risk. As you took risk for yr life.
What should people do when they know that
there any act against unlawful activity Will put his/ her whole family indenger

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New dialogues connecting animal rights activism and positive debates regarding these issues are increasing everyday on our modern society. So, in your opinion, what are the main challenges still affecting our society to reach social change in this specific topic? In comparison with the last decades, do you consider that the individuals are genuinely starting to be more “conscious” during on their daily choices when it comes to animal rights and its further consequences? Thank you so much!

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Would you say that there are a strategy to target a specific audience with your activism or is it an urge to do a difference there and then, for example with individual animals.

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Do you think gun control is needed for peaceful society or causing social change peacefully?

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Thanks for your inspiring work and for visiting our course.
I wonder about your thoughts on power and the responsibilities that follow. We’re the ones having all the power over the animals (since they can’t defend themselves and we change natural life cycles). According to you we have to live up to that responsibility and ‘modernise’ our animal/meat views/uses/production.
How do you see the industry changing in a practical way and how do you respond to business/money arguments? Many countries depend on their meat productions i.e.

Thanks!

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What are your thoughts on how your peaceful activism still meets legal repercussions, e.g. imprisonment? Even though your activism is peaceful, it it still sometimes illegal. Do the legal consequences feel justified, or does it feel as though your being treated unfairly?

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First of all i want to thank you for all the animal rights activism you have done as i believe it is so important to be compassionate and live a peaceful and equal life with all the beings on this planet! From my understanding, you are vegetarian (correct me if i'm wrong). If so, could you tell me the reasons why you are vegetarian and then would love to hear your thoughts on Veganism and why you haven't chosen to protect the animals from the dairy industry as well as meat as it seems to be a well known fact they all suffer a large amount being used for our food. Also, from your own experience, i would love to hear your ideas on what you think is the most  affective animal rights activistim and why... maybe giving an example of your most influential experiences you can remember today?

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Dear Pelle,
Why do you think change needs to be peaceful? Is there ever a situation that you think violent activism could be justified? Where are the boundaries of the definition of violent behaviour for you?
Thanks for coming to talk to us and for your admirable work!

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As we face a future of considerable global challenges (climate change being the most significant) in your opinion what is the biggest barrier to creating peaceful social change?

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In your activism based on peaceful civil disobedience, how are these actions been reported in the media? If the  feedback gotten back from the publc have been perceived as negative (generally, it is not approved when people break the law, for whatever reason), how are you and your fellow activists working with that?
In other words, how can you maximize positive response from the public in your type of activism?

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Faith is probably a very strong motivator for civic courage. Would it be different for you if you were not religious? Where would you suggest atheists to search for courage?

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I think that civil disobedience can be very effective, but reading the change theory f this week regarding dialogue in activism, I do agree that dialogue will always make things happen faster, but what would you recommend to do when the power relations are too strong so there is no space left for any dialogue possibility? What strategy rather than civil disobedience and pressure might work to create or inspire change?

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I have noticed, that some animal rights activists do actually hate people. For example, one of my friends once posted on her facebook about elephant torture in India and the post was followed by very violent comments from her and some other people's side about how they would have done the same or even worse to these people torturing animals and etc... and it was not a one time post, that girl was "spamming" my facebook news with similar hateful messages to people torturing animals, unitl I honestly got scared of her (not that I am torturing animals), but it jest felt a bit extreme, so I ended up de-friending her.

I understand, that one can get very emotional on this topics...I myself always feel anger and disappointment when I hear about animal torture. However, I still think that violence is violence, no matter to whom it is addressed to: to animals, or to humans. So I personally don't think it is rightful to prioritize animals over human, or vice versa. We, humans, are horrible, I agree, but if you claim that you stand for peace and love, then make sure you don't discriminate any of the living beings.

What is your opinion on that? And how do you manage to keep up with all the negative emotions  arising from seeing animal torture and other societal injustices?

Thank you!

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I think that non-violence and civil disobedence actions are a great strategy for social change. However, it also feels like it sometimes does not get so much attention or reach a lot of people. What strategies do you think are good to adress those problems and is it ways to make a bigger impact? Such as combining with other activism or strategies for change.

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Pelle,

As a consequence of some of the civil disobedience acts you have been a part of, you were sent to prison for a while. I’m wondering if your time in prison affected you, and your beliefs. Did it change any of your views on society, or your actions? Do you think it’s ‘fair’ for people ‘doing the right thing’, even if it’s against the law, to be charged with a fine or sent to prison? It would be interesting to hear some of your thought on this.

Thank you for your time, and what you do!

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As all cultures have varying beliefs and values, how do you think different societies and cultures influence the impact that one can have?

I was researching your book, Jordens Herrar, and reading about your comparison of slavery and animal oppression. I also believe that we will look about on our actions and be ashamed of the way we have acted, and failed to act for the voiceless.

Do you believe it is vital for people, surrounding and associated for example with animal oppression, to change their values in order for justice to be achieved?

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One of our earlier guests in the course Brian Palmer spoke of civic courage and how it can be 'infectious' for societies. From your experiences in activism, how have you found the impacts to spread? Do you agree with Brian Palmer's statement that courage can be infectious?

Follow up question: how significant of a role does religion play in your belief of animal rights? I am curious as if it is significant or central to your beliefs, why aren't there more religious people who share your beliefs? (/why don't all religious people share your beliefs?).

Thank you for your time and all that you do!

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Dear Pelle,
As you have been engaged in animal right activism for such a long time, how have you witnessed the evolution of animal rights and the attitude towards veganism?
Also, how have you increased the magnitude of your impact, being an individual, to spread through society as it is today?

Thank you for your time!

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I find your stance on peace activism very much inspiring and I do believe that this strategy allows for a good possibility for social change. Yet I was wondering whether you believe that violent means are never justified ? Considering examples of violent authoritarian rule, actors for social change sometimes find themselves forced to use violent means to justify their arguably good ends.

Kind regards,
Esmée Ramaaker

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I was wondering what your thoughts are on the practice of evoking “reasonable force” by law enforcement officers while cracking down on protestors. Especially as this has provoked some protesters into violence. Any corrective measures you suggest?

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I think this youth-run movement in the US for gun restriction is really inspiring and even sea-changing in the political arena. Here are two articles, one that talks about the movements momentum and another about some possible impacts of this movement.

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LITTLETON, Colo. (Reuters) - Colorado gun control activists rallied on Thursday near Columbine High School, calling for an end to gun violence one day before the 19th anniversary of the massacre there and a planned nationwide student walkout.

The roughly 200 demonstrators who gathered in the Denver suburb of Littleton on a windy afternoon included a survivor of the Feb. 14 school shooting in Parkland, Florida that left 17 dead.

The walkouts and drive to sign up voters are aimed at pressuring U.S. politicians to enact tighter restrictions on gun sales in the run-up to November's mid-term congressional elections.

"The idea is to unite and empower survivors, to stand together," said Emmy Adams, an 18-year-old senior at nearby Golden High School.

On April 20, 1999 two Columbine seniors killed 12 of their classmates and a teacher before committing suicide. Since then mass shootings have occurred with shocking frequency across the United States.

Among the speakers at the "Vote for Our Lives" event were Parkland High School student Carlitos Rodriguez, who told the crowd that politicians would listen if their seats were at stake.

Students from more than 2,600 schools and institutions are expected to walk out of class at 10 a.m. local time on Friday, organizers say.

Activists asked students to wear orange, the official color of the campaign against gun violence, and observe a 13-second silence to honor the victims killed at Columbine.

Columbine has not held classes on April 20 since the massacre, a district spokeswoman said, so there would be no walkout at the school. Students were encouraged to take part in community service.

The latest national rally comes more than a month after tens of thousands of students from some 3,000 schools participated in the #ENOUGH National School Walkout to demand that lawmakers seek tighter gun control regulations.

It also follows "March For Our Lives" rallies in cities across the United States on March 24 that were some of the biggest U.S. youth demonstrations for decades, with hundreds of thousands of young Americans and their supporters taking to the streets to demand tighter gun laws.

Dudley Brown, president of the Colorado-based National Association for Gun Rights, said the gun-control movement seeks to have the government take away rights, "precisely opposite of what the civil rights activists did in the 1960s."

"The main objective of these students is to ban firearms completely, and confiscate the firearms of law-abiding Americans," Brown said. "We will oppose them at every step."

BEFORE YOU GO

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Students From 2,600 Schools Plan Walk Outs To Protest Gun Violence

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LITTLETON, Colo. (Reuters) - Colorado gun control activists rallied on Thursday near Columbine High School, calling for an end to gun violence one day before the 19th anniversary of the massacre there and a planned nationwide student walkout. The roughly 200 demonstrators who gathered in the Denver suburb of Littleton on a windy afternoon included a survivor of the Feb.