Interface: a journal for and about social movements Article Volume 7 (1): 40 - 69 (May 2015) Wolf, Beyond nonhuman animal rights 40 Beyond nonhuman animal rights: a grassroots movement in Istanbul and its alignment with other causes 1 Silvia Ilonka Wolf Abstract This paper aims to shed light on the way the nonhuman animal rights movement in Istanbul aligns itself with other progressive leftist causes. This alignment manifests itself on different levels; other struggles are incorporated both intellectually and practically. Intellectually the relation between speciesism and other forms of discrimination is emphasized through the use of philosophies that theorize this relation. These philosophies are often further developed and debated. The practical dimension involves networking with other movements, campaigning for other causes and joining other movements’ protests. But discrimination against disadvantaged groups also causesdisputes within the nonhuman animal rights movement itself. What do these debates reveal about inconsistencies within the movement? And to what extent is the nonhuman animal rights cause acknowledged in other movements? I seek to find answers to these questions through ethnographic research. The grassroots character of the movement appears to be a major influence with regard to its radical, progressive, ethical vegan advocacy and its stimulation for further knowledge and self-improvement. Keywords: social movements, nonhuman animal rights, Turkey, grassroots activism, alignment, Istanbul, veganarchism, abolitionist approach Introduction In June 2013 the Gezi Park protests mobilized thousands of citizens to the streets of Istanbul and other Turkish cities. Although the protests started as an environmental, rights-to-the-city movement, it soon represented a myriad of individuals, groups, and social movements. Part of this heterogeneous mass was a movement that had appeared relatively recently on the Istanbul activist scene: the nonhuman animal rights movement. For these (mostly) ethical vegans the 1 I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the editorial board of Interface. This paper could not have been written without their useful comments and feedback. I would also like to thank my thesis supervisor Ayşe Öncü, for her suggestions have greatly contributed to this paper. Thanks also to Banu Karaca who motivated me to start writing about this topic. Finally, a special thanks to the activists and other vegans who have participated on this research and who are, by virtue of their participation, co-creators of this paper.