Friday, April 13, 2007

WAR Continues Campaign against HLS Money Brokers

Demo #1 - John Guttilla – Partner – Rotenberg, Meril, Solomon, Bertiger & Guttilla

The first demo of the evening was held in front of two popular NYC bistros that happen to be next door to the Upper Eastside home of CPA John Guttilla, Partner in the notorious firm that hid their identity from us for 2 years. This CPA firm enabled HLS to stay in business, after Deloitte Touche (one of the world's largest and most prestigious public accounting firms) did the honorable thing and severed their ties with the monsters at HLS.

This continues to be a wonderful location as we have plenty of foot traffic and everyone seems to be very animal friendly and supportive of our cause. Many stopped to ask us why we were standing in front of Maz Mezcal, a popular Mexican Restaurant and an equally popular Sushi Bar, Tokubei 86. Management was not very happy about the fact that we were standing in front of their businesses. We explained to them that we had no choice, and that were just complying with a court order that keeps us away from Guttilla’s front door. We suggested to both that they contact John Guttilla and that they should take it up with him as we are only there because of John’s continued blood money relationship with Huntingdon Life Sciences.

Both restaurants hope that John gets the message before warm weather brings all of those sidewalk diners. Considering the great support we get in this neighborhood, WAR has vowed to be a fixture on East 86th Street until RMSB&G cuts their ties to HLS.

Demo #2 - Paul Bennett, NYSE Senior Vice President

The next stop was a return visit to New York Stock Exchange Executive, Paul Bennett. Paul lives just minutes away from John Guttilla. Once again, the people at this location make it a great place to distribute literature and talk to sympathetic neighbors. With three animal friendly businesses right across the street (Vet’s Office, a Grooming Salon and a Pet Boutique) everyone we spoke to asked for literature and was keen on finding out more about how a company like HLS was allowed to trade on the NYSE.

Folks were horrified about the animal cruelty and equally horrified when they heard that a disreputable company like HLS was allowed on NYSE Arca. When we explained that HLS, trading as LSR, was deeply in debt and leveraged to the hilt, people were concerned that stockholders would ultimately be hurt by the NYSE politically expedient decision to allow LSR to trade.

Demo #3 - Sandra Holleran, Vice President – Bristol-Myers Squibb

A short walk away from Paul Bennett was the luxurious high rise building of Sandra Holleran, Vice President of one of HLS’ largest customers Bristol-Myers Squibb. We explained to passersby that without BMS contracts, HLS could not continue to kill animals.

Although this location is not as heavily trafficked as the others are, we were touched when a young boy stopped to stare at the pictures on our banner. He stayed to talk for a bit and was disturbed to learn that companies like HLS routinely kill millions of animals to test common household products. We were also pleased that residents of the building came down to speak to us and promised to seek out their neighbor, Sandra Holleran, to speak to her about BMS’ continued relationship with HLS.