Sunday, October 14, 2007

National Primate Liberation Week Launched in New York City

Demo #1: Jane Mahoney, Senior Vice President – AXA Equitable

The first stop of the day was a first time visit to the home of AXA Equitable executive Jane Mahoney. Court requirements put activists directly in front of an upscale steak house, The Palms, whose Manager came out whining and moaning about the noise. After politely explaining why they were there, the chanting continued despite the best efforts of said Manager to disrupt the protest. This location which was so close to Rockefeller Center ensured a steady flow of traffic. Graphic posters gave credence to the horrific abuse going on at Huntingdon Life Sciences where 500 animals, including primates, are killed for consumer product testing.

Demo #2: Peter Laventhol – Owner Spark Management LP

A short walk away was the home of Peter Laventhol, Owner of Sparks Management LP. Peter owns 53,600 shares of LSR (Huntingdon Life Sciences or HLS) stock. Activists educated Peter’s neighbors with flyers specifically detailing Spark’s relationship with HLS. Many were interested in why the protest was scheduled at a residential location. After viewing the pictures of bloody mutilated puppies and monkeys, they quickly got the message and showed support. Two visitors to our country stopped to have a conversation with an activist who explained about the cruelty and horrors of HLS in Spanish.

Demo #3: ESCADA, 715 Fifth Avenue, New York City

On the way to the next location and because of geographic proximity, activists pulled out an anti-fur banner and posters and did another demo against Escada. On Saturday, they had launched the global campaign to make Escada fur free. Sunday’s protest was much louder and more aggressive than the protest held on Saturday. Escada security, which wasn’t expecting such a quick return visit, immediately locked the revolving doors preventing any potential customers from entering the store. Employees looked on in horror as Saturday’s mild and pleasant posters were replaced with large gory color posters of skinned fur animals and the quiet, mild mannered demonstrators were replaced with loud aggressive protesters.

Demo #4: Stanley Tulin, Vice Chairman & CFO – AXA Financial

Next up was the luxury hi-rise Columbus Circle home of Stanley Tulin, second in command at AXA Financial. The large banner was unfurled once again and many flyers were distributed to passersby. All literature details the connection between the target and killing of 500 animals every day by Huntingdon Life Sciences. “We’ll be back, until they stop the killing” was the message that activists chanted.

Demo #5: Lamberto Andreotti, President – Worldwide Pharmaceuticals – Bristol-Myers Squibb

Even though the home of Lamberto Andreotti is a regular stop on the protest circuit, activists are always happy to return to this location. Andreotti’s management position, puts him in a position of influence over Bristol-Myers Squibb’s relationship with both Huntingdon Life Sciences (customer) and Oxford University (major donor). As a key executive, he has the ability to cut BMS ties with both HLS and Oxford University. In addition, this location is perfect for allowing activists to shame the numerous Central Park Carriage Horse drivers that travel along Central Park West.

Demo #6: Guy Spier, President Oxford Alumni Association of New York

The final protest of the evening marked the official launch of National Primate Liberation Week in New York City. As President of the Oxford Alumni Association, Guy Spier has the ability to rally his fellow alumni to oppose the building of the Oxford University animal laboratory currently under construction after lengthy delays and escalating costs.

Activists chose this location to honor the memory of Felix, a primate who suffered in the laboratory of animal torturer, Tipu Aziz. In was recently revealed to SPEAK campaigners, that after they were done using him, Felix was killed by Oxford in June, 2007. Activists have vowed to continue to voice their protest to Oxford Alumni Association until they take a firm stand against the continued use of expansion funds to torture and murder animals in vivisection laboratories.

Outrage Against Central Park Carriage Horse Trade

The loud and spirited protest against Oxford Lab was interrupted by one of those horrid horse drawn carriages, on its way back to the stable. Activists turned for a moment to shame the driver and one of the activists was assaulted by the driver, who spit on him without provocation. Three angry activists gave chase to catch up with the driver, who broke numerous traffic laws, in an attempt to get away; no doubt afraid of what was going to happen if the activists caught up with him. Fair warning to Central Park carriage drivers…..this group is not passive, they fight back. Assault an activist, suffer the consequences.