Sunday, October 12, 2008

Novartis Executives Protested Again in Honor of Political Prisoners

Demo #1: John Minardo - Novartis General Counsel

Activists first visited John Minardo’s home on September 21, 2008. As an executive for Huntingdon Life Sciences customer Novartis, their hope was that John would communicate with the campaign and use his influence to get Novartis to cut their ties to HLS. That day in September, protesters vowed to return and they made good on their promise his day.

Their large banner, showing the bloody mutilated remains of what once was a precious beagle puppy, was displayed for all of John’s neighbors to see. Flyers with John’s contact information were distributed freely to his neighbors. Many expressed their disgust that companies like Novartis paid for the torture of innocent animals like the ones portrayed on the many signs and the large banner.

Protesters vowed to step up the action here and next time the largely silent demonstration will likely be replaced by a louder and more aggressive protest. “500 animals died today….John Minardo and Novartis are to blame”.

Demo #2: Wayne Merkleson - Novartis General Counsel

Second stop of the afternoon was the home of Wayne Merkleson, also General Counsel for HLS customer Novartis. Activists have been here many times over the past two years and promise to keep returning until Novartis sees the light. An excellent location on E. 10th Street, close to Union Square and surrounded by New York University dorms, this is a popular location. Add to that the fact that this building houses some of the most crotchety people in the city and you can understand why activists keep coming back.

At this location, activists have been assaulted with water bombs, physically attacked by neighbors and have had building residents come out of the building bragging that they microwave and eat cats and dogs. Every building in NYC has one or two nuts. This building seems to have more than their fair share of loonies. Once again, the large banner was unfurled and posters were held high for all to see. Posters depicting the sick depravity that happens in Huntingdon Life Sciences and that is paid for by the uncaring drug pushers at Novartis exposed HLS as the monsters that they are.

Many flyers were distributed to passersby, who vowed to let Novartis know how they feel and to boycott their products until they make a pledge to stop funding the animal cruelty at Huntingdon Life Sciences. Wayne Merkleson was named and shamed and some of Wayne’s building neighbors asked to know what apartment he lived in. One resident took flyers to distribute within Wayne’s apartment building.