Animal Liberation Press Offices relayanonymouscommuniques, photos, and videos to the media aboutdirect action undertaken by theAnimal Liberation Front (ALF),Animal Rights Militia (ARM),Revolutionary Cells – Animal Liberation Brigade,Justice Department, and otherleaderless resistance within theanimal liberation movement.[1][2][3] It states that it will "explain and seek to justify any action, whatever it may be", so long as it appears to have been carried out "with the sincere intention of furtheringanimal liberation."[1] The North American press office also includes a newsletter, prisoner list and merchandise page.[4][5]
The press office's position is that it receives claims of responsibility from anonymouscells, and that its officers "do not engage in illegal activities, nor do they know any individuals who do."[6] In contrast, a British High Court judge described press officerRobin Webb as a "central and pivotal figure" in the ALF.[7]
The first press office was founded in the UK in October 1991. Media relations were originally handled by theAnimal Liberation Front Supporters Group, but a new ALF press office was created to receive claims of responsibility anonymously, in order to avoid charges of conspiracy. The name was changed again, this time to the Animal Liberation Press Office, after the introduction of theTerrorism Act 2000, in order to avoid police attention, and to reflect that the office issues statements on behalf of a number of activist groups, not just the ALF.[1]
Robin Webb, formerly a member of theRSPCA ruling council, runs the office in the UK.[8]
The press office inNorth America, also known as NAALPO, was co-founded in 1994,[5] and re-opened in December 2004,[9] bySteven Best, an associate professor of philosophy at theUniversity of Texas, El Paso. The current press officers are:[4]
In October 2006, the distinction between the British Animal Liberation Press Office and the ALF was questioned when aHigh Court judge ruled that Robin Webb was bound by an injunction banning protests atOxford University. Webb had argued that he was a journalist and not a member of the ALF or its supporters group. According toThe Guardian, the judge described Webb as a "central and pivotal figure [in the ALF]," and concluded that "the press office was not a neutral reporting exercise or even simply a vehicle for apologists for the ALF, but a vital part of the ALF's strategy."[7] In contrast, the North American press office claims:[5]
If the Press Office had any direct dealings with the underground, knew who the members of underground groups were, or were members ourselves, law enforcement would not hesitate to charge and imprison us. The Press Office frequently receives communiques anonymously from these underground groups, and passes them along to the media, but has no personal knowledge of who sends them or from where they are sent.
