Kill scientists, says animal rights chief
Fury as former surgeon calls for selective assassinations
Jamie Doward, social affairs editor
Sunday July 25, 2004
The Observer
A top adviser to Britain's two most powerful animal rights protest groups
caused outrage last night by claiming that the assassination of scientists
working in biomedical research would save millions of animals' lives.
To the fury of groups working with animals, Jerry Vlasak, a trauma surgeon and
prominent figure in the anti-vivisection movement, told The Observer: 'I think
violence is part of the struggle against oppression. If something bad happens
to these people [animal researchers], it will discourage others. It is
inevitable that violence will be used in the struggle and that it will be
effective.'
Vlasak, who likens animal experimentation to the Nazis' treatment of the Jews,
said he stood by his claim that: 'I don't think you'd have to kill too many
[researchers]. I think for five lives, 10 lives, 15 human lives, we could save
a million, 2 million, 10 million non-human lives.
Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (Shac), which campaigns for the closure of
Huntingdon Life Sciences, has close links with Vlasak. He has also advised
Speak, the organisation that last week forced out the contractor building an
£18 million primate research laboratory in Oxford.
David Martosko, research director at the Centre for Consumer Freedom, which
monitors activist groups on behalf of business interests, responded by saying
Vlasak was 'one of the most dangerous animal rights zealots on the planet'. He
added: 'He's not making bombs, but he is making bombers.'
September. Legal experts warned that, if he uses his speech to promote
violence, he could be charged with incitement.
Vlasak has made a series of incendiary claims that will alarm moderates in the
animal rights movement and reinforce claims that Shac and Speak are fronts for
extremists.
Three months ago, he told a US television audience that violence was a 'morally
justifiable solution'. Earlier this month, he gave a speech in Virginia in
which he said: 'It won't ruin our movement if someone gets killed in an animal
rights action. It's going to happen sooner or later.'
Vlasak meets Shac leaders regularly. He has played a big part in writing
speeches, directing its strategy and advancing scientific arguments against
animal experimentation. He also worked with Speak in its successful effort to
prevent the building of a primate research centre in Cambridge and says he
plans to work with the group on its Oxford campaign.
Other animal rights groups have distanced themselves from him. Until recently
he was a member of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), a
group funded by the powerful lobbying group People for the Ethical Treatment of
Animals (Peta) and endorsed by Shac.
But a PCRM spokeswoman told The Observer: 'He is not a member of the
organisation.' Vlasak confirmed he was not working with the PCRM 'at the
moment'.
While acknowledging that his views might alienate some people, Vlasak, who
claims animal experimentation 'wastes billions of pounds a year', said more and
more people in the animal rights movement were drawn to violent action. 'The
grass roots are tired of writing letters. The polite approach has not worked,'
he said.
Patricia Hewitt, the Trade and Industry Secretary, last night promised that the
law would be strengthened to tackle the growing number of incidents. On Friday
Home Office Minister Caroline Flint will unveil measures designed to clamp down
on protesters. It is believed ministers are frustrated that the CPS and the
police have not taken a sufficiently robust stance against the movement.
One of the City's largest institutions, the National Association of Pension
Funds, is about to offer a £25m reward to help catch protesters who threaten
businesses associated with animal research firms.
Yesterday, 300 Speak activists celebrated their coup in forcing building firm
Montpellier to pull out of the new Oxford primate research centre with a march
through the city centre. Protester Robert Cogswell attacked the NAPF's offer of
a reward. 'It should stop wasting money and start looking at why people are
taking illegal action,' he said.
Yesterday Natasha Avery, a spokeswoman for Shac, declined to comment on its
links with Vlasak. Speak did not return calls.
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| User: "Tadapope" |
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| Title: Re: Kill scientists, says animal rights chief |
26 Jul 2004 01:55:48 PM |
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I sure glad I retired as a medical researcher back in 1978.
Tangents are infinite in all of nature in
all 21 universes constantly and at random.
Oh Joy & Lysergically Yours!
Tom
The Psychedelick Pope
Patron Saint of the Internet
Saint Isadore of Laytonville
http://www.apple2.org.za/gswv/me/
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| User: "Woodswun" |
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| Title: Re: Kill scientists, says animal rights chief |
26 Jul 2004 05:18:35 PM |
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In article <20040726071349.05051.00001715@mb-m24.aol.com>, (TonyZ2001) wrote:
Kill scientists, says animal rights chief
Fury as former surgeon calls for selective assassinations
Jamie Doward, social affairs editor
Sunday July 25, 2004
The Observer
A top adviser to Britain's two most powerful animal rights protest groups
caused outrage last night by claiming that the assassination of scientists
working in biomedical research would save millions of animals' lives.
To the fury of groups working with animals, Jerry Vlasak, a trauma surgeon and
prominent figure in the anti-vivisection movement, told The Observer: 'I think
violence is part of the struggle against oppression. If something bad happens
to these people [animal researchers], it will discourage others. It is
inevitable that violence will be used in the struggle and that it will be
effective.'
Vlasak, who likens animal experimentation to the Nazis' treatment of the Jews,
said he stood by his claim that: 'I don't think you'd have to kill too many
[researchers]. I think for five lives, 10 lives, 15 human lives, we could save
a million, 2 million, 10 million non-human lives.
Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (Shac), which campaigns for the closure of
Huntingdon Life Sciences, has close links with Vlasak. He has also advised
Speak, the organisation that last week forced out the contractor building an
£18 million primate research laboratory in Oxford.
David Martosko, research director at the Centre for Consumer Freedom, which
monitors activist groups on behalf of business interests, responded by saying
Vlasak was 'one of the most dangerous animal rights zealots on the planet'. He
added: 'He's not making bombs, but he is making bombers.'
September. Legal experts warned that, if he uses his speech to promote
violence, he could be charged with incitement.
Certainly sounds like incitement to me. He's a dangerous person.
Woods
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| User: "Cuan" |
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| Title: Re: Kill scientists, says animal rights chief |
26 Jul 2004 07:06:15 AM |
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On 26 Jul 2004 11:13:49 GMT, (TonyZ2001) wrote:
Kill scientists, says animal rights chief
Fury as former surgeon calls for selective assassinations
should that be Fury...or Furry?
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| User: "Marvin The Paranoid Android" |
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| Title: Re: Kill scientists, says animal rights chief |
26 Jul 2004 06:48:06 AM |
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Or just mechanicaly debone them and process them into something marketable
like 'Brain Food' or 'Food for Thought'.
As long as it's profitable ....
<snipped in it's entirety>
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