Auckland Animal Action
Encyclopedia
Auckland Animal Action (AAA) was formed in August 1996 by a small group of people seeing the need for a grassroots activist group that promoted direct action against all forms of animal abuse. Since then, AAA has run campaigns against all forms of animal abuse, most notably the Fur Free Auckland campaign.
. Actions have included investigations into alleged factory farms, protests outside these farms and campaigns against companies, including Tegel Foods Limited
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AAA also promotes and organises the media coverage for investigations carried out by underground groups. In January 2007 AAA received nationwide media coverage for an investigation and release of animals carried out by the Animal Liberation Front
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Criticism of AAA’s anti-possum fur policy comes from David Farrar who says, "I see the Auckland Animal Action Group justify their opposition to use of possum fur, because "to wear a dead animal's skin is disrespectful to the animal". Well killing our trees is disrespectful also, and the possums started it!"
Factory Farming
AAA has also been active against factory farmingFactory farming
Factory farming is a term referring to the process of raising livestock in confinement at high stocking density, where a farm operates as a factory — a practice typical in industrial farming by agribusinesses. The main products of this industry are meat, milk and eggs for human consumption...
. Actions have included investigations into alleged factory farms, protests outside these farms and campaigns against companies, including Tegel Foods Limited
Tegel Foods (New Zealand)
Tegel Foods Limited is a PEP owned company based in New Zealand. It employs approximately 1,700 people at locations across New Zealand.-Controversy:...
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AAA also promotes and organises the media coverage for investigations carried out by underground groups. In January 2007 AAA received nationwide media coverage for an investigation and release of animals carried out by the Animal Liberation Front
Animal Liberation Front
The Animal Liberation Front is an international, underground leaderless resistance that engages in illegal direct action in pursuit of animal liberation...
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Civil Disobedience
AAA was the first animal liberation group in NZ to start using civil disobedience (CD) in campaigning against what they believe is animal suffering and abuse. In 2003 AAA used Civil Disobedience in their campaign against Harpers Fashion's sale of fur products. Members of AAA chained themselves to the door of the Hartley’s store in High Street.Possum Fur Campaign
AAA oppose possum fur marketed as eco-friendly. This policy was accompanied by protests at the 2005 New Zealand Fashion Week. Rochelle Rees from AAA believes: "...the promotion of possum fur would lead to an unsustainable demand, as it had with rabbits and foxes." In 2005 Auckland Animal Action launched a campaign against possum fur.Criticism of AAA’s anti-possum fur policy comes from David Farrar who says, "I see the Auckland Animal Action Group justify their opposition to use of possum fur, because "to wear a dead animal's skin is disrespectful to the animal". Well killing our trees is disrespectful also, and the possums started it!"