Critter crazy

>>Animal rights activist fights
cruelty, often from behind bars

by CHRIS BARRY

Name: Gabriel Villeneuve

Age: 29

Occupation: Activist

Bio: This determined Plateau rooster was first introduced to animal rights issues as a teenager via bands like Crass and Conflict, who’d penned a few timeless classics on such endlessly lyrical matter as veganism and the Animal Liberation Front (ALF). Becoming vegan himself, Gabriel soon hooked up with PETA and various other animal rights organizations “way more hardcore than PETA.” Five years ago, he moved to Montreal from his native Ottawa to launch the Canadian arm of SHAC (Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty, www.shaccanada.net), a Euro-based organization solely devoted to shutting down one “research” company full of happy-go-lucky vivisectionists in particular, Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS). Now legally forbidden to be in contact with his comrades at SHAC Canada, Gabriel says he will be starting up another animal rights organization in the near future. “Montreal is the North American capital for vivisection when it comes to pharmaceutical products. There are over 50 companies affiliated with HLS located here. And don’t think that if you lose your cat or dog one day that they won’t wind up on one of these vivisectionists’ tables.”

One tactic SHAC employs to further their cause: “Demonstrations late at night outside the homes of CEOs who do business with HLS.”

One tactic Gabriel feels quite strongly about: Direct action. “Because it works—SHAC has gotten more than 100 companies a year to stop working with HLS because of the tactics. Petitions and rallies are great but finding out where the people responsible live and then going over to do property destruction, that works too. I’m not saying people should do illegal actions, I’m just saying the tactic has worked for other movements in the past. So yes, we end up in jail and get a lot of police attention, but jail is a minor discomfort compared to what animals go through.”

The number of times he’s been arrested: “Over 70.”

Total amount of time Gabriel has spent in jail to date: Roughly six months.

What’s the difference between some lunatic blowing up an abortion clinic in the name of pro-life and an organization like the ALF blowing up a research lab in the name of animal rights? “First, remember that SHAC is involved in the legal side of the movement. But the ALF never hurt anyone. They might be considered violent in that they blow up cars and buildings, but never have their activities taken any human or animal lives. I don’t consider the destruction of property an act of violence. It’s really economic sabotage, which is justifiable, and as a tactic, it works.”

Is it well known in prison circles not to mess with a guy who’s prepared to go to jail to save the lives of a few unfortunate alley cats? “They make jokes about me, they think it’s ridiculous I’m in jail. I have no place in prison. I’m not a criminal. I don’t even do anything illegal. I’m just an activist, so I’m pretty much alone when I’m in prison. Fortunately, people tend to respect activists in prison.”

Last book read: Wal-Mart: The Bully of Bentonville, by Anthony Bianco.

Musical preferences: Tiken Jah Fakoly, Bob Marley, Active Slaughter.

Words of wisdom: “Words and tears mean nothing, action is everything.”

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