Chancellor denounces activist violence (UCLA)

[Mugu]

Daniel Schonhaut, Bruin Contributor
dailybruin.ucla.edu


UCLA Chancellor Gene Block condemned violence by animal rights activists in a university statement last week after two vehicles were torched outside of a Los Angeles home on Nov. 20. Students and Workers for the Liberation of UCLA Primates claimed responsibility for the attack which targeted a UCLA researcher.

snip

An improvised incendiary device was used to carry out the attack, UCLA spokesman Phil Hampton said. Hampton said the vehicles were destroyed outside of a house that was occupied by “a woman who does not work at UCLA and her daughter.” Both were sleeping at the time of the attack, Hampton said.

snip

The North American Animal Liberation Press Office, which speaks on the behalf of animal rights activist groups, responded to Block’s remarks in a statement released Nov. 27. “These are typical lies and deception that UCLA and other apologists for animal abuse trot out to hide their complicity in the unnecessary imprisonment, torture and killing of non-human animals,” said Jerry Vlasak, a spokesman for the Animal Liberation Press Office.

Vlasak described the use of violence in the struggle to end animal research as an unfortunate but necessary measure. “The UCLA administration has had every opportunity to peacefully negotiate, and has flatly refused even to meet with (animal rights groups).” He added, “All peaceful things have been tried, so what else can be done?”

http://www.dailybruin.ucla.edu/news/2008/dec/04/chancellor-denounces-activist-violence/">Complete article

[gratuitous]

1. "All" peaceful things have been tried?

What a pitifully limited imagination. Not to mention that this is the first time I've heard of this group and its beef with UCLA. Based on that alone, I’m thinking they haven’t tried anywhere near “all” peaceful alternatives, and violence never drives out violence.

[lapfog_1]

2. “All peaceful things have been tried, so what else can be done?”

Where to begin. What an entirely selfish and childish attitude.

Burning up things and destroying things is not winning any hearts and minds either.

Doesn't work for our military in Iraq, won't work for the animal rights people here.

And of course, there is the logical extension... "All property damaging things have been tried, so what else can be done?" (in response to the query "why did you shoot that university researcher?" Because, you know, the anti-abortionists have BTDT.

[nini]

3. I hate those poeple

When my nephew was 5 years old he had major heart reconstruction at UCLA. My sister waited in fear for 5 years after he was born due to the problem he had at birth. The chance of him dying on the table was pretty high considering what was done.

We are walking up to the hospital the morning of his surgery and the protesters were screaming at us to not go in there, shoving signs in our faces, and practically assaulting us.

How the fuck did they know anything about why we were there and how fucking dare they harass anyone like that.

It was the closest I ever got in my life to getting violent with someone. My poor sister was already a wreck and those fuckers made it worse.

They do NOTHING for their cause with this crap.

:grr:

[Posteritatis]

5. Wait - they were getting in your face for taking your nephew to the hospital?

Thefuck? What stick got up their ass that particular day?

[nini]

9. My nephew was in the hospital already

we were on our way in the morning of his surgery.


They had no idea what the people going in there were dealing with - they're shitheads.

[defendandprotect]

4. I'm against any violence ---and TORTURE hides behind "research" label --

[Rage for Order]

6. Have you done your part?

You could certainly volunteer to take the place of one of the primates in the lab. I'm of the mind that it's better for new surgical techniques to be tested on animals rather than humans, but if you feel that strongly about it then you can certainly allow them to test new surgical techniques on you instead. Just think, you'll be sparing an animal from "torture" AND putting your money where your mouth is!

[defendandprotect]

7. We don't need either testing on animals nor humans -- big profits in this.....

animal torture --

Reflect for a moment on our "Slash and Burn" medicine ...

way behind other nations -- we rank 37th in world in health care.

The FDA releases drugs which are doing great harm to citizens --

And cancer results have never been worse --

We need to end "for profit" medicine --!!

And your part in this---????

Is to actually do some thinking and reading --

Death by Medicine

http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2004/mar2004_awsi_death_01.htm

[Odin2005]

11. So rats are more important then sick humans?

Like I said, screwed up priorities. :crazy:

[defendandprotect]

12. Obviously ..

you're not much at reading comprehension --

[boozepusher]

14. You may want to read this about cancer rates

http://patient.cancerconsultants.com/CancerNews.aspx?DocumentId=42884&Keywords=cancer,news,information,treatment,Cancer%20Rates,incidence,decline

[flvegan]

8. I'm an AR activist, and Jerry Vlasak is a stupid douchebag.

I wish he'd just go back under his rock and stay there. In addition, the NAALPO is a "self appointed" spokesgroup for the actions of animal rights group and the ALF.

Firebugs have no place in this movement, sorry.

[Odin2005]

10. Bunch of F-ing crazies.

These people care more about lab rats them homeless people, or sick people who will benifit from medical discoveries from animal trials. Bunch of nuts with misplaced priorities. :grr:

[superduperfarleft]

13. "The North American Animal Liberation Press Office....."

"...which speaks on the behalf of animal rights activist groups,"

No it doesn't. Not even close. Even the more militant groups think Jerry Vlasak is a loud-mouthed, self-aggrandizing idiot.