Written by:
Gina DeVries
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this Issue of Curve:
11.4
Caitlin Childs, 17, lives in Atlanta. She has been involved with queer, feminist, anarchist, animal-rights and environmental activism for several years.
What do you think is important about working from a multi-issue perspective?
I feel that all oppression is connected. The system we currently live under is inherently oppressive, and I don’t believe that we can gain true freedom until it is abolished.
You have done a lot of work for animal rights, especially against the fur trade. What information about animal rights do you want people to have?
As Alice Walker said, “The animals of the world exist for their own reasons. They were not made for humans any more than black people were made for whites or women for men.” Animals are exploited in numerous ways: the meat and dairy products people eat, the clothing people wear, the animal research people support and view as “necessary” and the forms of so-called “entertainment” people attend, such as circuses and rodeos. I try and educate people about these forms of exploitation and encourage them to show compassion for others, both human and nonhuman.
You are working with the Mutual Aid Collective (MAC), which is starting an anarchist infoshop and community center in Atlanta. What services will it provide?
The infoshop will be a place where groups can hold meetings and learn about what other members of their community are doing, and where people can attend various skills-sharing workshops to place power back in the hands of the community. We also plan on having books, pamphlets and literature on various political issues and skills for sale and loan. Right now the biggest dilemma is a lack of space. We are working on various fundraising projects.
You took part in the protests in Philadelphia during the Republican National Convention. What was that experience like? Do you think radical activism will change now that Bush is president?
During the protests, I was arrested while sitting peacefully on the street, and in the process my wrist was broken by a police officer. I was then taken to jail, where I was denied all of my constitutional rights — 420 activists were arrested that day, and the part that shakes me up the most is that I had it good. It was inspirational to see all the activists out there for all different causes working together in solidarity. I believe no politician can solve any of our problems. I do hope that with Bush as president, we will see more people leaning towards the left and joining us in our struggle for liberation.
— Gina DeVries
baby dyke-in-residence, age 17
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