Those in power will seek to silence you, repress you, criminalize you.
I have been criminalized for acting on behalf of misfortunate dogs left to die at the end of a chain on at least two occasions. Those entrusted with their care have born false witness against me, and have themselves gone unpunished for the crime of animal cruelty.
Those in power have lied in both the media and on the witness stand, blocked true justice, and sought to repress the moral obligation I am under to speak on behalf of chained dogs. I have been shocked and horrified to see the extent to which they will go to protect their ability to torture dogs, their 'property,' as they will, and the extent to which they will go to villify those who act on behalf of the dogs.
Yet, my moral obligation to speak on behalf of chained dogs continues, in fact, strengthens.
As Howard Zinn wrote in his autobiography, "You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train" (1994), "I wanted more than 'objectivity'; I wanted students to leave my classes not just better informed, but more prepared to relinquish the safety of silence, more prepared to speak up, to act against injustice wherever they saw it."
That's what I want from viewers of this piece. To relinguish the safety of silence, speak up, and act against injustice. Die knowing you stood for those who had no ability to stand for themselves.
Chain pictured is from Magnum, former foster dog rescued from a miserable life. This art is no longer in print.
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