Memories of Freedom

Beginning in the late 1970s, various environmental protesters in the UK, the US, and Canada began to turn their attention to animals and animal rights. Whether on farms, in research labs, in fur farms, or at sea, people began to act on behalf of animals-often risking life and limb to protect and free endangered creatures. Thus, by 1980, the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) came into being. This was followed shortly thereafter by the Earth Liberation Front (ELF). Both groups were dedicated to direct action in defense of animals and nature without endangering people in the process. Among those early activists was a young native American named Rod Coronado. Attracted to the Sea Shepherd as a teen, he joined the group in 1981, and by 1985 he was an active member of the crew. Just one year later, he and a friend managed to sink two illegal Icelandic whaling ships-without harming anyone-which brought him international notoriety. Rod then switched to land-based protest actions, saving wild horses, mink, rabbits, chickens, dogs, monkeys...any animals suffering abuse and cruelty. Along with others, Rod not only freed captive animals, he damaged or destroyed the cruelty infrastructure: cages, labs, buildings-whatever sustained animal cruelty. All actions were on the table, including arson. But as always, no humans were ever threatened or endangered. But the law was not far behind. By late 1993, Rod was on the FBI's "most wanted" list. A year later, he was apprehended and began several years, off and on, in prison. Undeterred, Rod continued to advocate for animals and nature, whether in prison or out. He got married, had children, got divorced, found a new partner. By the 2010s he moved more toward conventional, legal activism, working on behalf of wild wolves and bears. Today, approaching 60, Rod continues to work tirelessly for the well-being of wild nature. He has a wealth of experience to draw from, and this book recounts in detail his many actions in defense of animals. His is a remarkable life, and this autobiography-among the very few by leading activists-tells the inside story of the ALF and ELF in a way that no one else can.