August 30, 2009

WAR Hosts Open House in NYC and Announces the Launch of SHAC North America

Friends and other interested parties gathered at a community meeting space in NYC’s Greenwich Village for a Win Animal Rights Open House and film screening. Events like this were common in WAR’s early days and hopefully will be again. After sampling a delicious spread of vegan snacks, visitors were able to talk to learn about WAR from activists that participate in events and activities in New York City.

A merchandise table heaping with t-shirts, hats, buttons, bandannas and stickers made for an excellent shopping opportunity. Sign up sheets were available for new subscribers to WAR’s e-mail action alert list. Halfway through the open house, everyone settled down to hear the welcome message delivered by collective organizer, Camille Hankins.

As founder of WAR, Hankins spoke about its history and mission, with special emphasis on the campaign to Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (SHAC). Recent victories including the successful closure of WAR’s most recent Operation: Institutional Investor Insanity (IX3) with a happy “Mission Accomplished” were reported as well as the bankruptcy of global fur target Escada. Also announced was the successful conclusion of the Stop Monkey Business/Gateway to Hell campaign to save the Nepal monkeys. On Friday, August 28, 2009, it was announced that the Nepal government would not export any monkeys to USA vivisection labs. Even better news, the monkeys are due to be released back into the wild very shortly.

The welcome message was followed by screenings of the SHAC Global videos Time for Action 3 and the newly released Time for Action 4. Also screened was activist favorite “Strike Back” about the SHAC USA campaign. After the videos, a short Q & A session followed.

Following a short discussion of the “Green Scare”, the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA) and government repression instigated and financed by corporate/industry lobbyists and bullies, an announcement was made that “SHAC IS BACK” with the formation of SHAC-North America. It is not known at this time where SHAC-NA will be headquartered although rumor has it that it might be in Mexico. The SHAC-NA website (http://shac-na.com) will be up and running soon and publication of a SHAC-NA newsletter is scheduled for either later this year or early next year.

W.A.R. (WIN ANIMAL RIGHTS) is an independent non-profit organization not affiliated or associated with SHAC, SHAC USA or any other group or organization and does not conduct or incite any illegal activity. The above information is not meant to incite or request any illegal actions or illegal activities of any kind. If you have any questions about the legality of any act, we encourage everyone receiving this (or the) action alert(s) to check your local laws and ordinances before proceeding to do anything.