Jordan Halliday


Jordan Cade Halliday is an American animal rights activist, former political prisoner, instructor, speaker, author, designer, artist & developer. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in 2009 on charges related to resisting a federal grand jury investigating local illegal animal rights activities, mainly concerning fur farm raids in Utah. He was jailed for nearly four months under a contempt of court order to compel him to testify. He was later released and indicted on criminal contempt of court. He pleaded no contest to "Criminal Contempt of Court" on July 27, 2010. The charge is a unique one in that it is sui generis, meaning it is neither a felony nor a misdemeanor. He was sentenced on November 3, 2010, to 10 months in prison with 3 years of probation upon release. He filed an appeal with the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals which was denied. He was accused of violating his terms by allegedly associating with the vegan straightedge. His house was raided by a dozen armed FBI agents and he started serving his sentence early on January 9, 2012. He was released on July 20, 2012, his civil time running concurrent with his criminal time. He was released with 3 years of probation. On August 8, 2013, he was granted early termination of supervision after filing a motion with his lawyer.

Early life

Halliday was raised in West Jordan, Utah, where he graduated from Copper Hills High School. According to personal writings and court records Halliday was in and out of treatment for various mental health related issues over his life. Halliday has been diagnosed and identifies as someone who is neurodivergent.

Activism

Animal Rights Activism

Veganism
According to testimony by his mother he became vegan at age 12. Halliday decided to go vegetarian when he witnessed a cow give birth to a calf which was named after him. The calf later was sold presumably for veal or rodeo entertainment. When eating steak one night with his family, they joked they could be eating "Jordan", so Halliday pushed his plate away and has refused to eat meat ever since.
Salt Lake Animal Rights Project (SLARP)
During High School, Halliday formed SLARP which was a school club dealing with Animal Rights issues in Salt Lake.
Animal Defense League of Salt Lake City
Later in life Halliday formed the Salt Lake Chapter of the Animal Defense League known as ADLSLC.

Other Activism

Halliday is a long time activist who has focused on multiple issues. He believes that total liberation includes the liberation of Humans, Earth, and Animals.
Outside of Animal Rights Activism; Halliday has also helped organize, plan & worked with multiple other activists & communities around the world on issues relating to: Anti-Fascism, Anti-Capitalism, Mutual Aid, Food Insecurity, Homelessness, LGBTQIA+, Environmentalism, Tar Sands Resistance, Indigenous Rights, Racial Injustice, Immigration Reform, Human Rights, Community Building, Humanitarianism, Mental Health, Equity, Neurodiversity, Disability Rights, Rape & Sexual Assault, Prison Reform / Abolition, Prisoner Support, Police Brutality, Child / Human Trafficking, Child / Human Slavery & Exploitation, as well as many other causes.
Halliday has been quoted saying: "We need to cast a wide net & embrace other communities and their leaders and elders, especially those who are marginalized. Overlap movements and work together to combat all forms of injustice."

Charges & Arrests

Grand Jury Resistance

Halliday was subpoenaed to testify before the Federal Grand Jury in Feb. 2009, in Salt Lake City, Utah. The grand jury was thought to be investigating recent mink releases by the Animal Liberation Front, which Halliday claims to support but isn't affiliated.
Others feel it is a modern-day witch hunt to gather information on the local Animal Rights community. Halliday's Support Committee claims that the grand jury was allegedly formed to investigate the mink raids, but the questions asked went far beyond the inquests into criminal activity. Halliday allegedly used a form of Civil disobedience to resist the federal grand jury.

Civil Contempt of Court

Halliday was found to be in civil contempt of court by order of a judge. He was incarcerated for nearly four months, after which he was let out and charged with criminal contempt of court.

Criminal Contempt of Court

Halliday pleaded no contest to "criminal contempt" on July 27, 2010. He was sentenced on November 3, 2010 to 10 months in prison and 3 years probation upon release. He filed an appeal with the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals which was denied. He was accused of violating his terms by allegedly associating with the vegan straightedge after allegedly giving an interview to an apparel company.

FBI Raid & Arrest

Halliday's house was raided by a dozen armed FBI agents and he started serving his sentence early on January 9, 2012. He was released on July 20, 2012, his civil time running concurrent with his criminal time. He was released with 3 years of probation.

Targeted residential picketing

Halliday was convicted with count one "Targeted Residential Picketing Prohibited" by a jury of four peers on December 1, 2009. This charge arose from a 2008 protest in the neighborhood of an animal researcher.
Halliday's other charge of "Wearing a mask with the intent to commit a crime" was dropped by the prosecution to avoid another mistrial after the jury failed to reach a verdict for over 4 hours. In an earlier trial there was a mistrial caused by a Fur Farmer being on the Jury.
Halliday was sentenced to 1 year probation, 50 hours community service, and a $750 fine. However, on appeal Halliday was ultimately found Not Guilty.

Harassment

During the summer of 2008 Halliday claims to have experienced a lot of strange harassment outside of his home. Halliday claims the harassment started shortly after his name appeared in a University of Utah newspaper in regards to anti-vivisection demonstrations.
Some of this harassment included:

Which Side

Podcast

Halliday is currently the co-host of the political podcast Which side which features various guests with discussions involving animal rights, earth rights, atheism, anarchism, and many other topics.

Media Collective

Halliday also helped found the Which Side Media Collective - a New Media Collective for a new type of Counter-Culture.

Prisoner Support

Halliday is known to be involved in Prisoner Support as well as Prison Education, abolition and reform.

Anarchist Black Cross of Salt Lake City (SLCABC)

Halliday currently organizes prisoner support events including letter writing nights through SLCABC.

Save the Kids from Incarceration

Halliday is the Co-Editor of the Save the Kids from Incarceration book series "Poetry Behind the Walls" & "Wisdom Behind the Walls" published by Arissa Media Group of which Halliday is a Senior Editor.

Boards and Committees

Halliday has sat & currently sits on the board of many various non-profits, collectives, organizations, programs & committees; including but not limited to:

Animal Rights

Some of Halliday's known speaking engagements include:
Some of Halliday's known writings engagements include:
Outside of Activism, Halliday is also known for award-winning creative, graphic design & web development.

Pinebee Creative

Halliday is the Founder & Creative Director of Pinebee Creative, an award-winning Creative Design Studio based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Halliday has assisted thousands of brands, both large and small, with creative design and development; from Emmy, Grammy, Oscar & Tony Award-Winning acts and performances & large corporations like Disney, Nickelodeon, Carhartt & Taco Bell to local non-profits, organizations & small businesses.

Teaching

Halliday also teaches Graphic Design & Web Development at a local Community College.

Animal Care

Halliday is known to help care for & foster animals, specifically cats & kittens, but also farm animals like Chickens & Ducks.