Trying To Stop Terrorists With Lawsuits
The Regents of the University of California have filed a lawsuit against "animal activists" who have been harassing university researchers at their private residences. The increasingly violent terrorists - and they are terrorists - have been aggressively attacking the researcher's homes and families. There is a chilling note buried in the story as well.
The University of California regents have responded by suing UCLA Primate Freedom, the Animal Liberation Brigade, the Animal Liberation Front and five people allegedly affiliated with them. It is a tactic that the regents successfully employed nine years ago.
The regents hope to win a permanent injunction similar to one granted against Last Chance for Animals in 1989. But some experts note that the regents now are battling more violent, Internet-savvy foes who thrive in online communities, post faculty "targets" on Web sites and upload how-to guides for their attacks.
"The reality is that, unlike in the past, where movements really relied on interpersonal communication and gatherings to ferment this radicalization, all this is happening online now," according to Oren Segal, co-director of the Anti-Defamation League's Center on Extremism in New York. "The ability for people to learn about the movement and how to carry out attacks on behalf of it are easier than it's ever been because of the Internet."
Indeed, a temporary restraining order — prohibiting harassment and posting of faculty members' personal information on the Internet — was granted Feb. 21 by a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge. But three days later, six masked protesters reportedly disrupted a child's birthday party at the home of a University of California at Santa Cruz researcher and confronted her husband at the door, hitting him on the hand.
It is unclear whether the protesters are connected to those named in UC's lawsuit.
Harassment by violent animal rights activists has climbed at universities across the country, including Oregon Health and Science University, the University of Utah, and Ohio State University, where researchers have been victims of home visits or, in one case, found their windows slathered in glass-eating acid. Scientists, administrators and lawyers are closely watching the effectiveness of the California regents case.
Experts say the shift toward more personal attacks is a response to increasingly fortified laboratories, which universities began securing in the 1980s and 1990s as attacks heightened.
Now, groups have shunned "Fort Knox" in favor of ill-prepared homes, said Jerry Vlasik, the former vivisector turned spokesman for the North American Animal Liberation Press Office. Vlasik has repeatedly advocated for using "whatever force against animal research scientists necessary."
"If killing them is the only way to stop them," he said in a telephone interview, "then I said killing them would certainly be justified." (Emphasis added)
I have said before that it is only a matter of time until someone is killed by the environmental terrorists. I'm afraid that the above statement indicates that there is little time left. The authorities had better get serious about stopping these people and their illegal acts now, before they escalate even further.
By ted goldman, Tuesday, 11 March , 2008 @ 9:51 am
"Politically correct" universities are reaping what they sow. Perhaps a good "counseling" session for these activists might be suggested by the academics. Maybe the "learned" class might want to investigate the perceived "deprived" upbringing of these terrorist animals. The terrorists may be members of a "disadvantaged" group. Or they could be part of an "underrepresented" class.
The verbal possibilites of academics when excusing activites against people other than themselves is endless. Do acadmics now seek pity from the public for their own trevails?
It is delicious to see academics squirm when they are victims.
Now that’s what I call schadenfreude.
By Mockinbird, Tuesday, 11 March , 2008 @ 12:37 pm
I thought that guy named Vlasik was in charge of pickled items.
On harrassing the academic scientific researchers, perhaps the UN could be of some help.
By old_dawg, Tuesday, 11 March , 2008 @ 2:33 pm
This will come to a complete halt once the first protester is shot for trespassing. Probably why they aren’t trying this in Texas