Sunday, August 16, 2009 Protesting Presidents of Huntingdon Life Sciences Customers Novartis & Bristol-Myers Squibb On Sunday, August 16th despite the heat wave that has descended upon New York City, more than a dozen activists gathered to protest the presidents of Huntingdon Life Sciences’ customers Novartis and Bristol-Myers Squibb. Demo #1: Robert Pelzer - President - Novartis First stop of the afternoon was the luxury hi-rise building of Novartis US President Robert Pelzer. After a short discussion, activists choose to station themselves on the hottest side of the building in direct sunlight, in order to be in the best location to reach and influence Pelzer’s neighbors. Despite the heat, the activists were enthusiastic and energetic. Hundreds of flyers were distributed and as is always the case with this location, the residents are compassionate and supportive of the activists’ mission. Many stopped to chat and to ask questions. Some who had stopped by the demonstrations in the past, paused to tell activists that Robert Pelzer had replied to their e-mails claiming that they had not been a customer of HLS for years. If this is the case, why have they not responded to polite attempts at communication with their offices both here and abroad? Why do they refuse to make a definitive statement to the SHAC campaign? Why are they covered by the restraining order that covers HLS customers? Mr. Pelzer, if you are not doing business with HLS why are you enduring the protests at your home, when they can be stopped so easily? Demo #2: James Cornelius - Chairman & CEO - Bristol-Myers Squibb Next up was an even more luxurious hi-rise, the Time-Warner building, which has as it’s pinnacle, the opulent penthouse residence of Bristol-Myers Squibb Chairman and CEO, James Cornelius. These drug lords spare no expense when it comes to their comfort and living conditions. Since Cornelius is on the 59th floor, activists feel that they have to be especially loud to get their message across. Once again, the protest was loud and aggressive. Flyers were distributed to Cornelius’ neighbors as they entered and departed from the building, as well as the many shoppers from the building’s popular lobby shops. Security guards for the building have learned from failed past attempts to dislodge the protestors, that they will not be coerced or intimidated into leaving by fake rent-a-cops. Voices rose in loud unified chants……”500 hundred animals died today, James Cornelius is to blame” and “You must, you must, you must understand….the blood, the blood, the blood is on your hands”. When will you wash the blood of innocent animals off of your hands, Mr. Cornelius? Demo #3: Lamberto Andreotti - President & COO - Bristol-Myers Squibb A short walk away from Cornelius’ Columbus Circle address, activist descended on the ritzy residence of Lamberto Andreotti, President and COO of Bristol-Myers Squibb. Paparazzi were in evidence as this building is also the home of aging, has-been pop icon Madonna, whose birthday was celebrated on that day. Sadly, Madonna is best known by activists for her full-length chinchilla coat and her murder of innocent pheasants……Madonna is no friend to animals. Voices were once again raised to call attention to the suffering of hundreds of thousands of captive laboratory animals. Chants referenced the killing of 500 animals every day by Huntingdon Life Sciences and the complicity of Bristol-Myers Squibb. Huntingdon Life Sciences may be the ones actually doing the killing, but Bristol-Myers Squibb is contracting the killing and is equally responsible for the atrocities that occur at HLS. Insensitive, uncaring companies like Bristol-Myers Squibb distance themselves from the killing. The SHAC campaign places responsibility where it belongs….on the doorsteps of the monsters that sign the checks that keep Huntingdon Life Sciences in the animal killing business. Do the right thing Bristol-Myers Squibb, cut your ties with Huntingdon or face continued exposure of your perversion and that’s a promise! Note: Throughout the afternoon, activists paused their anti-vivisection campaign to call out the animal abusers that enslave and drive the poor horses that lug lazy tourists around New York City. Although the temperature rose above 90 degrees F, and complaints were called in to the ASPCA (which is supposed to monitor the humane treatment of the city’s carriage horses), horses continuously passed the protest line. Heat was literally steaming off of the hot tarmac, still the parade of horses continued. Each and every driver was insulted and berated. Each and every one, nothing more than perverts and animal abusers. Video Clips: |
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