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.

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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.

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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