I first met Dara Lovitz at the Institute for Critical Animal Studies Conference earlier this year. Pressed for time, she broke down large swaths of legal history and made the Animal Enterprise Protection Act (AEPA), Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA) and all other AE_A’s accessible and understandable (she is actually pretty funny too!). Dara’s new book, “Muzzling A Movement,” is just like that presentation; a to the point history and commentary on the U.S. Governments unconstitutional and repressive legal response to animal and environmental rights activism.

Complete with copies of both the AEPA and the AETA printed in the back of the book, you get a concise history of all of the major Animal and Environmental rights cases as well as a nice little primer on who the industry players are in the Government, and how they are connected. A break down of Senate and House hearings on the topics of Animal and Environmental activism where a favorite of mine, as the U.S. Government routinely creates potemkin panels of those involved in animal industries; wherein all logic and reason go out the window in the race to paint exploiters as the “real vicitms.”

Bringing this history to light, Lovitz has created a great counter to the “muzzling” tactics of the U.S. Government and although legal attempts by activists have thus far been unsuccessful in striking down the unconstitutional nature of the AETA, knowing the law is the first step in subverting it.

“Muzzling A Movement” is a great casual read for those concerned with animal and environmental exploitation, a must read for those concerned with animal rights and environmental rights activism, and the perfect intro for any budding lawyers wishing to learn about animal rights, environmental rights or civil liberties.