Destiny has dictated to us that we dedicate our lives toward creating a humane world for animals, a world in which animal rights are equal to human rights. While we work to achieve our personal and singular goals in the pursuit of justice for animals, we must not forget that a multitude of animal issues comprise animal advocacy.
The more we become aware of and educate ourselves about the multi-faceted world of animal advocacy, the more we learn about our role in the grand scheme of animal rights as a collective endeavor.
Animal advocacy is more than our philosophy and our actions in regard to promoting the interest of animals. Animal advocacy is a conscious decision to live a cruelty-free lifestyle as a peaceful, non-violent example for others to follow.
We cannot not ignore our destiny; we must fulfill our mission to enlighten and engage the world, use every ounce of energy, every special ability, utilize our creative capacity, to secure animal rights.
“I got the idea to make my first documentary, Behind the Mask, because I was getting extremely frustrated with the legal system,” Animal Rights Attorney Shannon Keith explains. “I became an attorney to help animals, but it seemed everything was an uphill battle. Most judges are afraid to create new law or take any kind of chances so most of the cases were losing battles.”
At the time, as the mainstream media continued to fuel the fire by portraying animal rights and environmental rights activists as terrorists and eco-terrorists, Shannon resolved to dispel the myths and reach a larger audience to reverse this image.
“The power of film is truly amazing,” says Shannon, Founder of Uncaged Films. Shannon has produced and directed two award-winning documentaries exposing animal abuse and exploitation. “These are images people need to see.”
Images we would never see unless someone had the courage to expose the atrocities committed against animals behind closed doors.
Behind the Mask: The Story of the People Who Risk Everything to Save Animals, reveals the sickening truth and terror of factory farms, the fur industry, animal vivisection in laboratories, and the people who profit from animal suffering.
Through interviews and footage of underground rescue operations, Shannon’s compelling and unforgettable documentary on the Animal Liberation Front (ALF), a name used by individuals who independently carry out non-violent direct action on behalf of suffering animals, is a life-altering experience.
The documentary truthfully portrays the Animal Liberation Front as it is: small autonomous groups of passionate people from all over the world who carry out non-violent direct action, people who believe saving animals from horrendous torture and death takes precedence over the law.
After the amazing success of Behind the Mask, “I decided to make an exposé of the fur trade,” Shannon says of her second documentary, Skin Trade. “This was a three year journey that took me all over the world, going undercover on fur farms, conducting undercover interviews and more, in order to learn the truth and expose the truth about the fur industry.”
Skin Trade will be the feature film presentation at the Anti-Fur Society Animal Rights Conference, May 31 - June 2, 2013, in Alexandria, Virginia. Shannon will conduct a question and answer session after the film; she will also be speaking at the Anti-Fur Society Animal Rights Conference about how to effect change and discussing the legal rights of animal rights activists.
“We have a long way to go in the fight for animal liberation,” Shannon states. “Too often people are complacent and wait for someone else to do something. Unless you do it yourself, it's not going to get done. To be a true activist for change, you need to take initiative and really work.”
“We all have our niche, different ways we can help make the world a better place for animals. Whether it be through art, public speaking, education, or music,” Shannon believes, “there is a place for it all and we need you all!”
Comments