My Mission - Filming Florida's "Not A Petting Zoo" Farm

My animal rights group initiated a "film a factory farm" event. I couldn't justify the gas nor could I find anyone to carpool with - So I decided to participate in my own area, by photographing not a large industrial "factory farm", but a small enterprise that uses nonhumans as products and commodities. 
A bit of background about the man who operates this place that sells "small farm animals". I've been to his place several times during the last few years. This property is adjacent to a farmers market that sells a nice variety of veggies... On every occasion that I've spoken with this man his attitude has been consistently crass, rude, vulgar and down right hostile. I guess that's why I wanted to document what types of characters run these animal enterprises.

Throughout the dozen or so times I've visited this run-down "farm" the animal "products" have always been in less than ideal conditions; Left without water or food, torn tarps that offer no shelter from weather and absolutely no bedding or nesting material. The only thing in good repair at this place are the chains and locks..


                                                    At the onset of our first meeting he warned me that he does not sell "pets". That these animals were for meat or sacrifice only. I winced and said "No thanks" to either because I was a vegan.


From that time on he went out of his way to gleefully tell me about how his business booms, selling to people during their ritual "offerings". He would go into great detail explaining all the religions that do this, that or the other to these animals during their "holy" days. He told me I should go to the graveyards and by the lakes at dawn to see dozens of headless cats and dogs... He is clearly against all "ethnic" groups... But he has no problem exchanging lives for cash. There was always a stock of goats and lambs during Ramadan and other religious events. And of course he carried turkeys, geese and ducks for Thanks-killing day. Now, aside from this... I never instigated any friction. I spoke my mind peaceably... Disagreed with his believes and interacted with what nonhumans he'd allow me to... It never seemed like he minded me on his property. 


But this particular day I was there with a camera... Once he saw me filming he demanded I leave. He shouted vulgar things at me with his nose an inch from mine. His daughter, seen in the background also yelled with rage for me to "LEAVE!". I'm certain that had there not been witnesses he would not have "controlled" his temper. His anger was escalated to the point that his body was shaking in a fit. The veins in his face bulged and turned blue... He shouted to me that I was a "liberal - peta - faggot - whore!". Nice...

Still I took what pictures I could as he threatened to call the sheriff. I would have left after these few photos... That was my only intent - To document these beings held for future sacrifice and slaughter. That was my "mission". But I refused to go. Instead I leaned on my car and stated that I was not breaking any law. The property I was on was not his. And it was not illegal to take photos of any "farm" or farmed animal. 


Sure enough within minutes a car pulled up and I was asked what my intentions were of photographing his place. I affirmed that it was only to document what a place that "sells" animals for future killing looked like. I also offered my name, address, age, height, etc. I wanted it to be clear that I was totally cooperative - And rational.

After a few minutes I began my plea about how these chickens and ducks are no different than any other being. How everyone just wants to live and how none of us has the right to take someone elses life... I assured him that my intentions were just to create a more peaceful world. And that the idea of violence or aggression against anyone was not my goal at all. After he listened a while... He called in some code that said I was not a threat... And that he didn't need back up...

I talked a bit more about compassion... And how we all really have empathy for others - It's just that our culture discourages us from acting on it... After my short out pouring he told me that his wife was almost a "vegetarian" and how he thought about it too (for his health). !!! Meanwhile, I am smiling my charm ear to ear as I hand him a copy of Why Vegan and Mr. Mean Farm-man is seething over our unexpected pleasant exchange! Ha! LMAO!

So a minute or two later, I extended my sincere apology for upsetting things. I asked if he would convey that to Mean Farm-man... I was also advised not to test my welcome there again.  And that's fair enough - There's nothing I want there anyway, except for the liberty of these animals on death row. :( 


I said "thank you" and left. 


Now... Between us - Can I tell you I was afraid? That at some point I didn't really know what Mean Farm-man was capable of? That my knees were nervous... And that as I waited for officials to arrive I ran through all sorts of bad scenarios and the possibility of arrest went through my head. After all... This is Polk County with Grady Judd at the helm of "the law".  And my confidence in any "justice" system is holding on by a very frayed thread.


The thing about it is... You don't always have to be breaking a law to have your life put on hold or burdened with unimaginable debt to prove your innocence. That is why I wrote this entry about admiring those who risk so much in direct actions that do have known consequences. My little piss-ant encounters illustrate to me that those who risk so much more... And accomplish the actual liberation of victims, truly deserve accolades. I do not believe they are "terrorists" when they break locks or destroy property in order to rescue prisoners and slaves. I will not ever be one to harshly judge that their actions jeopardize the public's perception on animal rights because honestly, if these people aren't sympathetic to the caged pigs and chickens... They will hardly be moved with empathy at the meat cases either.

I admit openly that I haven't the courage or chutzpah it takes to lay my life, safety or freedom on the line... But for those who go beyond what I fear - - - They are heroes in my eyes...