Sunday, February 10, 2008

Protests Against HLS Customers and Suppliers and Fur Ghoul Dennis Basso

Day of Action Dedicated to SHAC 7 Prisoners Jake Conroy and Josh Harper

Demo #1: Lamberto Andreotti, President Worldwide Pharmaceuticals – Bristol-Myers Squibb

A dozen activists gathered under an ominous sky with winds blowing perilously hard, clutching banners and posters at the luxurious Central Park West home of Drug Lord Lamberto Andreotti. Voices raised in chant filled the quiet street drawing attention to the activists and their message. A vegetarian family stopped to learn about the horrors going on at Huntingdon Life Sciences. They learned that every day 500 innocent animals are killed so that people like Andreotti can jet set around and live a pampered lifestyle. Disgusting!

As always Central Park West is heavily traveled by animal lovers and compassionate individuals who have a soft spot in particular for dogs. Over and over, activists are asked…”How could they punch a 4 month old beagle puppy in the face?”….and “How can they continue to get away with such horrible cruelty?”.

Demo #2: Dorothy Watson, V.P. & General Counsel – Novartis

By this time, snow was beginning to fall in earnest. Temperatures dropped and a chill wind caused activists to hurry to their next location, the home of Dorothy Watson of Novartis. Dorothy’s swanky building is just off the corner of Broadway and W. 72nd Street and as such has a lot of traffic. Flyers detailing the cruelty that Novartis is responsible for were widely distributed despite the inclement weather.

The high winds caused snow to come at protesters in horizontal sheets freezing fingers, toes and faces. Yet the activists continued their protest. Voices loud and strong filled the afternoon air causing neighbors to come down to speak with activists to learn what would prompt anyone to stand out on the street in such horrible weather. Once they saw the pictures and read about HLS, they understood completely and indicated their strong support and admiration for the dedication of the activists.

Demo #3: Staples - Broadway & 81st St.

Next stop was a very popular branch of Staples. A steady stream of traffic was met with signs and disturbing graphics detailing the relationship between Huntingdon Life Sciences and the company that helps them by delivering office supplies. Although fighting the wind and the cold made it more difficult, protesters got louder and more passionate as they realized that their discomfort was nothing compared to what the animals suffer in the death camps of Huntingdon Life Sciences.

Being cold and hungry is a small price to pay when one realizes that 70,000 animals are suffering and in despair, waiting to die, at Huntingdon Life Sciences. “For the animals, we will fight” chanted the activists”. “500 animals died today, scumbag Staples is to blame.” Many Staples customers were horrified at the pictures of mutilated beagle puppies, cats and bunnies displayed by the protesters. All vowed to call Staples and to move their business to another supplier until Staples comes to its senses.

Demo #4: Dennis Basso – NYC Fur Ghoul

Snow continued to fall and the wind blew even more fiercely as the activists made their way back to Central Park West to pay a call on New York City’s most notorious fur hag of all, Dennis Basso.. Basso’s claim to fame is that he is the furrier to second rate “stars” and is often seen pimping his wares at celebrity and society events. By this time, darkness had fallen and the snow and wind cast an eerie light on the protest.

The protest started at Dennis’ private entrance just off the corner of Central Park West on 82nd Street. Since it appeared that Basso wasn’t at home, the protest was moved to the front entrance of his building, which no doubt delighted the idiot doormen. Proving once again that they are not too terribly bright, the doormen taunted the activists as they were preparing to leave. This caused the protesters to unpack their posters and to continue the demo for a longer time. When will they ever learn?

*click here for slide show & video clip*