Ria+Ding+-+speech+excerpts

//In my opinion, these brief excerpts from speeches (presented at the National Association of People for Free Animals conventions) reveal a significant idealogical shift in Ms. Ding’s thinking. I believe this shift is relevant to the case.//

**From a speech given by Ms. Ding to NAPFAn volunteers, summer, 2000**.

“We must use whatever means necessary to free any animal held in bondage by so called pet owners. Remember, the animal in their possession didn’t ask to be owned. Better to let animals run free, and create their own societies, than to force them to conform to human society. Beg, borrow, steal… Think of whatever excuse you need to get possession of a captive animal and liberate it.”

**From a speech given by Ms. Ding to NAPFAn volunteers, summer 2007.**

“Like many of you, I used to think the end justified the means when it came to freeing our animal friends. I have been known to lie, cheat, manipulate, and even steal in order to bring an animal the just freedom it richly deserves.

“But now I have turned away from these methods that are outside the law. The reason is simple logic. How many of us are here today? One thousand? If each of us free as many animals as possible, and avoid imprisonment, our influence is still limited. Instead of physically stealing animals, we must change people’s hearts and minds. We must build the trust of our neighbors, and persuade them with wise words of compassion and understanding.

“If outsiders see us as the enemy, we can never hope to win the converts we need to change long held patterns of pet ownership. We must be seen as an organization that cares, an organization that values the things most Americans value. Then people will invite us into their homes, and make us their friends. Then we will be able to build influence that saves not just one pet, but generations of pets.

“So do not step outside of the law in your quest to save your animal brothers and sisters. But, Ria, you might say to me, surely we must fight for justice at every opportunity. We must, dear friends, but we must fight with cunning and shrewdness, remembering that if we win every battle, but lose the war, we have still lost. Our cause is too great to jeopardize it for the sake of a few. Those animals that remain in the chains of ownership are paying a sacrifice so that their cousins and family members will be free throughout history.”