I joined Substack and The Simple Heart for one reason. You are inspiring. The world would be a much better place with more people like you and the volunteer rescuers in it. I feel proud of everyone who tried and want to say thank you.
As a fellow rescuer at the April 18 Ridglan rescue action who brought and used fence cutting tools and was teargassed and temporarily blinded by pepper spray to the face, I’d like to share my thoughts with you on the definition of non-violence and our tactics moving forward.
You convinced me to join you at Ridglan when you said the action would be modeled after the Gandhi salt march. I believe we lose support from allies and from the general public when we employ the breaking and entering tactic. Both Gandhi and King opposed property destruction in nonviolent movements.
To you, violence only includes violent actions towards people and animals. But If we had truly modeled our rescue action after the Gandhi salt march, we would not have brought tools and not have cut the fence. We would have simply walked up to the gate and been arrested in wave after wave of rescuers.
After the action, the news stories would have been about the 300 peaceful protesters who were arrested attempting to rescue 2000 dogs that remain at an animal breeding facility that is losing its breeding license due to a history of animal cruelty. Our arrests would have been for a simple trespassing charge. We would not have needed to move the action to Saturday, and by keeping the action on Sunday there would have been more press covering it.
I understand it means we would’ve gone into the action knowing that we would not rescue any beagles. With 20/20 hindsight, we now know that our strategy of bringing tools and cutting into the fence also yielded zero rescued beagles.
I look forward to continuing working with you peacefully pressuring Ridglan to release the remaining dogs into loving families.
Thank you for all you do to inspire so many people like me to join this very important movement.
Hi Bill! Appreciate this comment, and I was personally concerned about the use of tools. Part of what convinced me was that Gandhi himself used wire cutters to breach fences during the Salt March. Here is the relevant excerpt:
"The volunteers formed into columns, with their leaders carrying ropes and wire cutters. They advanced slowly for half a mile - a ghostly procession - toward the salt works."
The way I see this is that we are like emergency first responders. Firefighters, EMTs often break down doors to help human beings, and even animals. We are in the same situation, so the tool use is justified. But it's important for us to remain nonviolent even as we use those tools.
Violence cannot really be committed against inanimate (without soul) objects. Violence is a word co-opted by legalised terrorists to undermine the peaceful individuals striving to create a free world of boundless and glorious love 🪽
Ps enlisting long term activists with much lived experience of police brutality tactics, can provide strategies in moving forward - it's likely that future police tactics, where the police are essentially being used as a private army by corporates against the people, will involve brutality, arrests onsite, midnight etc raids on activists homes, stealing people away from same, and not stonewalling as to where people have been taken.
I'm not persuaded by this argument. There is a reason why we don't hurt people or animals. They have feelings and it is bad for their spirits and their lives.
Cutting fences has no such consequence. It may be the right or wrong move, but it hardly seems immoral to me in this situation. It seemed necessary.
300 average, everyday, non-vegan, non animal rescuers are not willing to be arrested. And walking up to the fence asking 300 people to be arrested (there were only 1k people, hundreds of which were green team which lowers the number of available rescuers) would not have prevented the chemical deterrents- 300 would have been arrested and 300 more would have run away. Damange to property has been conducted in all animal rescue operations - it is necessary. I agree though, that an open rescue is not just telling them everything about our plans beforehand and showing up in the daytime, an open rescue can also be discreetly completing the action, rescuing the dogs, then openly admitting, with media evidence, of the action. The the biggest things they did wrong were they were expecting everyday people - people above 50, dentists, teachers, moms etc. to be able to immediately take part in non-violent "warfare" completely untrained and they also figured that after the March 15th action, the cops were just going to let us mosey onto the property and "steal" animals again. That was a beyond stupid assumption and I for one knew that was never going to happen, but there's no way to relay those concerns to organizers. Even now, they have not sent out a survey for people to WRITE how they feel about this action or give feedback only this little questionnaire which doesnt account for any nuance. I would certainly be involved in another action with this group, but they shpuld probably get some pro-bono professional tacticians into their ranks before attempting another rescue that will "make history."
Interesting point of view. What does violence mean? If we break something that belongs to someone like a fence, does that mean it is violence? And if we had guns with us and did not use it to hurt people, does that mean it is non-violence?
Wayne - thank you for your thorough explanation about what happened when you were trying to liberate the Ridglan dogs. While the outcome is not what you, or we, wanted, I am appreciative of how you take responsibility and learn from what you see as your 'mistakes'. Since the current regime we live under only does finger pointing and never takes responsibility, you are a breath of fresh air. Please don't give up. The dogs, and all un-liberated animals need you and all of us who care about them.
You should not feel guilty about anything! It wasn’t your fault, you didn’t assault the rescuers, it was the police and the security people that did it! They are guilty!
Yes, the dogs are still there, and it’s hard to think about it without bursting into tears.. but what you’ve achieved there is monumental! I was so proud watching everyone being so brave and so wished I was there!
Tomorrow, there is a parliamentary debate on ending animal testing in the UK.. ( I’m writing from England) so I have hope ( not much, but some) that one day places like Ridgland Farm will be a thing of the past! 🫶🏼❤️🐶
That sounds horrendous and it would be too much for anyone, let alone a child.. so sorry you witnessed that! But look at the person you are today, inspiring and giving hope to so many people.. thank you!🙏
Wayne, this has been the biggest burden on my mind and in my heart for the last year, so I can't imagine you going thru this all those years and maintaining your dignity, strength and continuing each day forward with this. You have reached so many for what you stand for. I respect you and know you should never feel guilty for what took place Saturday, not your fault at all. Goes to show how corrupt the law is and now fingers point at them for how they treated such kind people. WI will have a bad reputation from this point forward. You are a winner and you have so many behind you so let's all keep going. All the years working on this you prevailed! Dogs are being released which lightenes this burden I have endured leaving me with a mental scar of how many animals have been abused for so so long. Thank you for your hard work.
Some big names in dog training are also now calling for the beagles to be freed. Victoria Stilwell and Dr.Patrica McConnell have both published pieces on this. Thank you Wayne for everything you do and risk. Thank you to all who tried. I wasn’t able to go but I sent money to help others make the journey.
I appreciate your discussion of the mistakes, it helps with future planning and efforts. But your heart and soul were in the right place. All of us in animal rescue have made mistakes, but your direction and willingness to stand up against the inhumane treatment of the dogs at Ridglan and other labs is inspiring. I believe that if all of us animal lovers--despite our political convictions--could band together, that we would be the largest and strongest "lobby" in America. Keep up the brave work, Wayne. Millions of us are with you.
Now that it's clear that the authorities will use violence on protestors, it's time to consider guerilla warfare tactics minus the weapons of course. Communications that can't be tracked, burner phones?
Please don’t blame yourself for any of this- your motives are pure to save these poor dogs! You have helped them immeasurably by bringing all this media attention they would never have gotten otherwise! Now I think you need to concentrate on legal ways to free these dogs plus keep up the pressure on social media. You are a hero!🤗💖
The fact that you are a moral & just man & believe with all your heart in righting the wrongs of this society is very inspirational & very much needed. You add great strength to the cause you and so many others are endeavoring to change. The fact that you are a lawyer & know the law is a great asset. Keep on your path for justice for these animals! We who feel as you do will add our strength to the cause that is so very important, the well being of these animals!! God Bless each & every one of you for doing the right thing!!
Did you discuss your successes? There must have been some that you want to wrap into the path forward. In spite of the failure to rescue any dogs, the attempt has drawn the attention of thousands of media outlets and outspoken public personalities that it may not have otherwise. The widespread attention on Ridglan's horrendous treatment of the dogs is a win for future efforts and animal rights.
In hindsight, if we all had gas masks we might have been able to get through the cops. Also in hindsight, a discreet rescue at night with a couple dozen carefully trained rescuers would have possibly been doable. Have they made armed security permanent?
You’re thinking like a lawyer when you need to act like a Seal Team. Manners, thoughtful arguments and reasoning will produce nothing but contempt from them and a hateful resistance. All at the dogs expense. You need to execute a well planned and rehearsed rescue like a military operation. Fight fire with fire. The element of surprise cannot be underestimated.
My own dissonance was me thinking “ I seriously can’t see how this is going to work” with the regular “ trust the organizers they know what they’re doing”! One time I voiced info for increasing success as I have a rural background and was harshly put down for adding a positive idea for success. The only option was to trust the organizers had some sort of amazing plan, so we persisted that day waiting for orders. We had been instructed to follow the leaders so I pressed myself to follow as there is a plan and not question it.
It’s amazing what did happen that day in the way of consciousness-raising but the injuries to people and trapped dogs haunt me. I also feel TERRIBLE as I asked an animal communicator to inform the dogs what is happening to decrease their terror.
I think going forward we have to assume extrajudicial militarization against the populace is the norm, sadly.
Thank you Wayne and family for your courage and sacrifices.
The day that you chose to rescue the beagles could not have been more inauspicious. Saturday and Sunday saw Saturn (law, obstacles) in a conjunction with Mars (battles, dynamic energy). This yielded "driving forward (Mars) with the brakes (Saturn) on." All of the elements of failure that you encountered reflected this extremely difficult conjunction. Next time...counsel with an astrologer to set your efforts up for success. It is fully and absolutely possible. The animals depend upon you for that.
If you do bring in astrology at all, Wayne, I'd recommend fine tuning with sidereal in addition to tropical, with campanus houses since you're likely to appreciate a Dane Rudhyar -ish approach, + choosing significant asteroids: there the importance of our mythic constructs and our potential for establishing new meanings for those handmedowns really shows us the realtime. You can study charts for important dates in activism also --- animal liberation, MLK, Gandhi, whoever. I'm sure there are various astrologers in your audience who would love to see this effort flourish, and all have unique gifts.
i will suggest that you & Wayne collaborate together on the timing of the next rescue. You can inform him of the most advantageous time to strike! I & all who are moral & hold compassion for these animals want this rescue to succeed! btw..i am an Aries of the 1st decant
I joined Substack and The Simple Heart for one reason. You are inspiring. The world would be a much better place with more people like you and the volunteer rescuers in it. I feel proud of everyone who tried and want to say thank you.
Whether 165 or 1,000 attempted rescuers...it was one hell of a good and righteous effort!
Further in my opinion this will greatly raise political opinion as regards the inherent misery being inflicted on farmed animals across our country!
Please keep up the outstanding leading edge campaign!
Wayne,
As a fellow rescuer at the April 18 Ridglan rescue action who brought and used fence cutting tools and was teargassed and temporarily blinded by pepper spray to the face, I’d like to share my thoughts with you on the definition of non-violence and our tactics moving forward.
You convinced me to join you at Ridglan when you said the action would be modeled after the Gandhi salt march. I believe we lose support from allies and from the general public when we employ the breaking and entering tactic. Both Gandhi and King opposed property destruction in nonviolent movements.
To you, violence only includes violent actions towards people and animals. But If we had truly modeled our rescue action after the Gandhi salt march, we would not have brought tools and not have cut the fence. We would have simply walked up to the gate and been arrested in wave after wave of rescuers.
After the action, the news stories would have been about the 300 peaceful protesters who were arrested attempting to rescue 2000 dogs that remain at an animal breeding facility that is losing its breeding license due to a history of animal cruelty. Our arrests would have been for a simple trespassing charge. We would not have needed to move the action to Saturday, and by keeping the action on Sunday there would have been more press covering it.
I understand it means we would’ve gone into the action knowing that we would not rescue any beagles. With 20/20 hindsight, we now know that our strategy of bringing tools and cutting into the fence also yielded zero rescued beagles.
I look forward to continuing working with you peacefully pressuring Ridglan to release the remaining dogs into loving families.
Thank you for all you do to inspire so many people like me to join this very important movement.
Bill Robbins, Beaucerons Red Team
Hi Bill! Appreciate this comment, and I was personally concerned about the use of tools. Part of what convinced me was that Gandhi himself used wire cutters to breach fences during the Salt March. Here is the relevant excerpt:
"The volunteers formed into columns, with their leaders carrying ropes and wire cutters. They advanced slowly for half a mile - a ghostly procession - toward the salt works."
https://www.upi.com/Archives/1930/05/21/Natives-beaten-down-by-police-in-India-salt-bed-raid/5882104113261/
The way I see this is that we are like emergency first responders. Firefighters, EMTs often break down doors to help human beings, and even animals. We are in the same situation, so the tool use is justified. But it's important for us to remain nonviolent even as we use those tools.
Violence cannot really be committed against inanimate (without soul) objects. Violence is a word co-opted by legalised terrorists to undermine the peaceful individuals striving to create a free world of boundless and glorious love 🪽
Ps enlisting long term activists with much lived experience of police brutality tactics, can provide strategies in moving forward - it's likely that future police tactics, where the police are essentially being used as a private army by corporates against the people, will involve brutality, arrests onsite, midnight etc raids on activists homes, stealing people away from same, and not stonewalling as to where people have been taken.
I'm not persuaded by this argument. There is a reason why we don't hurt people or animals. They have feelings and it is bad for their spirits and their lives.
Cutting fences has no such consequence. It may be the right or wrong move, but it hardly seems immoral to me in this situation. It seemed necessary.
-- I was not there.
300 average, everyday, non-vegan, non animal rescuers are not willing to be arrested. And walking up to the fence asking 300 people to be arrested (there were only 1k people, hundreds of which were green team which lowers the number of available rescuers) would not have prevented the chemical deterrents- 300 would have been arrested and 300 more would have run away. Damange to property has been conducted in all animal rescue operations - it is necessary. I agree though, that an open rescue is not just telling them everything about our plans beforehand and showing up in the daytime, an open rescue can also be discreetly completing the action, rescuing the dogs, then openly admitting, with media evidence, of the action. The the biggest things they did wrong were they were expecting everyday people - people above 50, dentists, teachers, moms etc. to be able to immediately take part in non-violent "warfare" completely untrained and they also figured that after the March 15th action, the cops were just going to let us mosey onto the property and "steal" animals again. That was a beyond stupid assumption and I for one knew that was never going to happen, but there's no way to relay those concerns to organizers. Even now, they have not sent out a survey for people to WRITE how they feel about this action or give feedback only this little questionnaire which doesnt account for any nuance. I would certainly be involved in another action with this group, but they shpuld probably get some pro-bono professional tacticians into their ranks before attempting another rescue that will "make history."
Interesting point of view. What does violence mean? If we break something that belongs to someone like a fence, does that mean it is violence? And if we had guns with us and did not use it to hurt people, does that mean it is non-violence?
Very good to hear this reasoning about the process on the ground.
It was good to read this.
Wayne - thank you for your thorough explanation about what happened when you were trying to liberate the Ridglan dogs. While the outcome is not what you, or we, wanted, I am appreciative of how you take responsibility and learn from what you see as your 'mistakes'. Since the current regime we live under only does finger pointing and never takes responsibility, you are a breath of fresh air. Please don't give up. The dogs, and all un-liberated animals need you and all of us who care about them.
Thank you
You should not feel guilty about anything! It wasn’t your fault, you didn’t assault the rescuers, it was the police and the security people that did it! They are guilty!
Yes, the dogs are still there, and it’s hard to think about it without bursting into tears.. but what you’ve achieved there is monumental! I was so proud watching everyone being so brave and so wished I was there!
Tomorrow, there is a parliamentary debate on ending animal testing in the UK.. ( I’m writing from England) so I have hope ( not much, but some) that one day places like Ridgland Farm will be a thing of the past! 🫶🏼❤️🐶
Guilt it something I've reckoned with my entire life, since I saw dogs being killed as a child. So I appreciate this comment -- and your support!
That sounds horrendous and it would be too much for anyone, let alone a child.. so sorry you witnessed that! But look at the person you are today, inspiring and giving hope to so many people.. thank you!🙏
Look after yourself ❤️
Wayne, this has been the biggest burden on my mind and in my heart for the last year, so I can't imagine you going thru this all those years and maintaining your dignity, strength and continuing each day forward with this. You have reached so many for what you stand for. I respect you and know you should never feel guilty for what took place Saturday, not your fault at all. Goes to show how corrupt the law is and now fingers point at them for how they treated such kind people. WI will have a bad reputation from this point forward. You are a winner and you have so many behind you so let's all keep going. All the years working on this you prevailed! Dogs are being released which lightenes this burden I have endured leaving me with a mental scar of how many animals have been abused for so so long. Thank you for your hard work.
Some big names in dog training are also now calling for the beagles to be freed. Victoria Stilwell and Dr.Patrica McConnell have both published pieces on this. Thank you Wayne for everything you do and risk. Thank you to all who tried. I wasn’t able to go but I sent money to help others make the journey.
Amazing!
I appreciate your discussion of the mistakes, it helps with future planning and efforts. But your heart and soul were in the right place. All of us in animal rescue have made mistakes, but your direction and willingness to stand up against the inhumane treatment of the dogs at Ridglan and other labs is inspiring. I believe that if all of us animal lovers--despite our political convictions--could band together, that we would be the largest and strongest "lobby" in America. Keep up the brave work, Wayne. Millions of us are with you.
Now that it's clear that the authorities will use violence on protestors, it's time to consider guerilla warfare tactics minus the weapons of course. Communications that can't be tracked, burner phones?
Please don’t blame yourself for any of this- your motives are pure to save these poor dogs! You have helped them immeasurably by bringing all this media attention they would never have gotten otherwise! Now I think you need to concentrate on legal ways to free these dogs plus keep up the pressure on social media. You are a hero!🤗💖
The fact that you are a moral & just man & believe with all your heart in righting the wrongs of this society is very inspirational & very much needed. You add great strength to the cause you and so many others are endeavoring to change. The fact that you are a lawyer & know the law is a great asset. Keep on your path for justice for these animals! We who feel as you do will add our strength to the cause that is so very important, the well being of these animals!! God Bless each & every one of you for doing the right thing!!
Did you discuss your successes? There must have been some that you want to wrap into the path forward. In spite of the failure to rescue any dogs, the attempt has drawn the attention of thousands of media outlets and outspoken public personalities that it may not have otherwise. The widespread attention on Ridglan's horrendous treatment of the dogs is a win for future efforts and animal rights.
In hindsight, if we all had gas masks we might have been able to get through the cops. Also in hindsight, a discreet rescue at night with a couple dozen carefully trained rescuers would have possibly been doable. Have they made armed security permanent?
You’re thinking like a lawyer when you need to act like a Seal Team. Manners, thoughtful arguments and reasoning will produce nothing but contempt from them and a hateful resistance. All at the dogs expense. You need to execute a well planned and rehearsed rescue like a military operation. Fight fire with fire. The element of surprise cannot be underestimated.
My own dissonance was me thinking “ I seriously can’t see how this is going to work” with the regular “ trust the organizers they know what they’re doing”! One time I voiced info for increasing success as I have a rural background and was harshly put down for adding a positive idea for success. The only option was to trust the organizers had some sort of amazing plan, so we persisted that day waiting for orders. We had been instructed to follow the leaders so I pressed myself to follow as there is a plan and not question it.
It’s amazing what did happen that day in the way of consciousness-raising but the injuries to people and trapped dogs haunt me. I also feel TERRIBLE as I asked an animal communicator to inform the dogs what is happening to decrease their terror.
I think going forward we have to assume extrajudicial militarization against the populace is the norm, sadly.
Thank you Wayne and family for your courage and sacrifices.
The day that you chose to rescue the beagles could not have been more inauspicious. Saturday and Sunday saw Saturn (law, obstacles) in a conjunction with Mars (battles, dynamic energy). This yielded "driving forward (Mars) with the brakes (Saturn) on." All of the elements of failure that you encountered reflected this extremely difficult conjunction. Next time...counsel with an astrologer to set your efforts up for success. It is fully and absolutely possible. The animals depend upon you for that.
Interesting but the astrology that I heard for that day was the opposite. Perhaps individual interpretations?
You can trust my post, Kally. But also do not hesitate to research this conjuction yourself.
If you do bring in astrology at all, Wayne, I'd recommend fine tuning with sidereal in addition to tropical, with campanus houses since you're likely to appreciate a Dane Rudhyar -ish approach, + choosing significant asteroids: there the importance of our mythic constructs and our potential for establishing new meanings for those handmedowns really shows us the realtime. You can study charts for important dates in activism also --- animal liberation, MLK, Gandhi, whoever. I'm sure there are various astrologers in your audience who would love to see this effort flourish, and all have unique gifts.
Horary inquiry would be most helpful.
Yes e.g. dates of both advances and setbacks. It's amazing how much they can 'have in common' at the level of celestial bodies.
Mac I “trust” your post, but I received this in my inbox right before the action which seemed applicable.
“Fire meets discipline. Action meets vision.
This Aries New Moon today carries extra intensity, a super stellium in Aries, with Mars, Saturn, and Neptune all meeting in the same sign.
Fire meets discipline. Action meets vision. Impulse meets structure.
This is not subtle energy. It’s a cosmic push forward.
Aries is fire, passion, and action.
It moves fast, often acting first and thinking later. As the first sign of the zodiac, Aries initiates, sparking life into motion.
The Aries New Moon April 17 is a potent time to set intentions around what you want to create next.
Light your inner fire. Take action. This is your catalyst to do something different.”
i’m not big into astrology, but this sure seemed like a sign to me. Sorry it contradicts your info.
I'm referring to the conjunction of Saturn and Mars on April 17/18/19, not the Aries new moon.
i will suggest that you & Wayne collaborate together on the timing of the next rescue. You can inform him of the most advantageous time to strike! I & all who are moral & hold compassion for these animals want this rescue to succeed! btw..i am an Aries of the 1st decant
Thank you for the update , this effort can’t go away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!