Here, Guest Blogger, Sociologist and Activist, Brook Bolen shares her friend Caitlin’s story. Be forewarned: it will infuriate you and make you damn positive that you’ll want to know what your rights are:
Something we can pretty much all agree on–and a basic tenant of Sociology 101–is that conformity to typical and normative behavior is socially encouraged, accepted, and rewarded. Doing things outside the norm can cause those around you to take notice. Whether you prefer a vegan diet, wear fuschia sequins on Tuesdays, or advocate openly for causes you support, these differences make people take notice.
But did you ever think that choosing to eat tempeh over turkey tetrazzini would cause you to be confused with a terrorist?
Take my homegirl, Caitlin Childs, who’s an utterly INCREDIBLE vegan/animal & queer/intersex rights activist, writer, and burlesque star. Back in December 2003, she and some fellow activists were peacefully protesting Honey Baked Ham. These vegan activists came equipped with educational leaflets and picket signs, both of which focused on the fundamental animal cruelty of the meat industry. The vegans were informed by a police officer, however, that if they attempted to either speak to patrons or hand out leaflets that they would be arrested. While they knew it was a violation of their First Amendment rights, these activists were not particularly in the mood to be arrested, so they chose to simply stand outside the business holding their signs.
After the protest, Caitlin and another vegan activist, Chris Freeman, noticed a man in an unmarked car observing them and taking their pictures. Out of concern for their safety, Caitlin wrote down the car’s make, model and tag number; she and Freeman then left. Upon leaving, they noticed they were being followed by the same suspicious unmarked car and pulled over into a parking lot. They were then swarmed by a uniformed officer and the plainsclothes man they had seen taking pictures. Though they had no obvious legal reason to pull Cailtin and Freeman over and they refused to give one when asked, they demanded the contents of the vegans’ pockets. They ordered Caitlin to hand over the paper she had used to copy down unmarked car’s tag number on; Caitlin refused to turn this information over. She was then forcibly arrested, charged with disorderly conduct, handcuffed, and searched by the male officer–even though she requested a female officer perform the search–who confiscated both the paper and her the keys to her house! And while Freeman informed officers he would have to reach into his back pockets for his wallet, the officers became physically aggressive with him when he did so. While the vegans were released from custody and criminal charges were dropped, neither of Caitlin’s items were returned to her.
When there are people being raped, mugged and murdered, why on earth would any law enforcement officials–local or otherwise–be interested in peaceful activists protesting animal cruelty?
It just so happens the plainsclothes man in the unmarked car was a detective of the Department of Homeland Security. His mission? To keep the FBI informed of planned activities and protests by multiple and varied activist groups and individuals whose intentions and actions would compromise the integrity and safety of our country. Based on these guidelines, the Department of Homeland Security focuses largely on domestic and international terrorism, counterterrorism, and border security. Oh yeah, and people who advocate for a plant-based diet.
Now, almost six years after the incident and four years after the lawsuit was filed, Caitlin and Freeman have gone to trial. The verdict? The Homeland Security officer was found guilty of violating the vegans’ Fourth Amendment rights by searching and seizing them without probable cause. In so doing, the jury ruled the officer treated their rights with “malice or reckless indifference.” I’d say that’s putting it practically feather-lightly. But no worries, y’all–everybody got theirs. Even though the offending officer was found guilty, even though Caitlin and Freeman’s rights were ignored, even though these people had to deal with the hassles of pursuing lawsuits for the length of a presidential term while their lives were going on, it’s all good. These vegans’ Fourth Amendment rights were valued at $4. Yes, you read correctly. FOUR DOLLARS. TOTAL. 2 DOLLARS FOR EACH VEGAN. Each received one dollar in both compensatory and punitive damages–essentially, a buck a year.
I know we live in a society whose structures and prevailing ideologies function to support racism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, et al. As such, I know, broadly speaking, we protect and value the rights of a few rather than of many or all. Yet on some level, I can’t help but wonder what impact, if any, the perception of their veganism had in this case. Vegetarian and vegan living is in no way comparable to the acts of terrorism that the Department of Homeland Security ostensibly seeks to squash, yet they have the power to challenge and change the status quo in many ways.
Clearly, there are the health issues. Those with plant-based diets are healthier across the board and suffer from fewer health woes, such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and obesity, just to name a few. And most, if not all, of these ailments are overwhelmingly treated by doctor-prescribed or over-the-counter medications. When you think about it, isn’t it interesting that the Western medical establishment chooses to sell expensive chemical medications to treat peoples’ problems rather than the infinitely more sensible preventative measure of endorsing veg living? But that would, of course, keep a substantial portion of money out of their pockets.
This would also mean we would, at least on some level, both prioritize and have greater respect for life and compassion–for the Earth and all its inhabitants. What effects could an ideological and practical shift of this nature engender? I glow with excitement when I consider the infinite possibilities– such as increased health and wellness for all people, a sustained environment, and happier animals. In my wildest fantasies, this could also create a shift in capital for people. We could conceivably use the money saved from not producing toxic and expensive meat to instead produce enough nutritionally sound food to feed all of us–that would mean money left over that could then be used to give everyone a shot at a living wage. (Those are just a few of the benefits this idealistic Sagittarius can dreamily envision).
Wanna help Caitlin? Unfortunately, because this case has already gone to trial, there’s not much that can be done to support it now. You can, however, spread the word about this case; you can also educate yourself about your civil liberties and constitutional rights and work to ensure they are not being violated. Familiarizing yourself with the American Civil Liberties Union (A.C.L.U) is also an excellent reference point. You can read their press release about this case here.
I believe Caitlin’s activism is, for myself and many others, a powerful reminder of the passion and power of our choices. At the risk of sounding green or naive, consider for a minute how beautifully profound a gift choice is. Attribute its existence to whomever you like (governmental, spiritual, or otherwise), but choice really is a fabulous thing. Make those choices, honey, and support em. Choose to educate yourself and others and choose, like Caitlin, to stand up for yourself and your choices. And keep on keeping on. That is but one way we can create the change we want to see in ourselves and in the world to boot.
Brook Bolen is a country-fried redheaded femme siren, activist, pit bull baby mama, writer, and voracious (vegan) eater. She supports counter-hegemony wherever possible. She can be reached here.