Episode #32: Animal Personhood: Wayne Hsiung’s Legal Battle Beyond the Courtroom
ListenTalking Animal Law with Wayne Hsiung
In this episode of Talking Animal Law, we’re joined by Wayne Hsiung. Host Alison Burns sits down with Wayne Hsiung, a prominent attorney, co-founder of Direct Action Everywhere (DxE), and the force behind his new initiative, The Simple Heart. Wayne shares his remarkable journey from a top academic and lawyer to a leading animal rights activist. He explains his philosophy that law is not a fixed concept but a dynamic force shaped by social movements.
This conversation explores the pivotal moments that led him to embrace direct action, including a powerful childhood experience with his family’s dog and a jarring trip to China. Wayne delves into his strategy of using the courtroom as a stage for public opinion, likening his approach to historical figures like Susan B. Anthony and Martin Luther King Jr.. He also discusses the nuances of legal victories and losses, the significance of his California appeal, and the contrasting approaches of the animal rights movements in the US and the UK. Wayne’s insights offer a powerful and hopeful vision for the future of animal law and personhood.