Monday, June 9, 2008

WAR Advocates for Students Right to Choose Not to Dissect and for Austrian Animal Rights Prisoners on Remand

On Monday 6-9-08, activists in New York City headed out into the blazing sun in response to two cries for help:

Event #1: Hudson Honors Middle School (PS 191)

Two students from Hudson Honors Middle School had stopped at an earlier WAR protest to inform demonstrators that they'd received failing grades in their science class for refusing to dissect animals at their school. Seeing as how forcing students to dissect (or fail) is ILLEGAL and schools MUST provide alternatives, activists first tried reaching the principal of the school and the science teacher numerous times only to be met with phone hang-ups and unanswered emails.

Finding nothing but doors slammed shut in their faces, activists went to the school as classes let out for the day and handed out hundreds of flyers detailing the alternative options available. A cover letter to the parents, students and staff of Hudson Honors which included a copy of the New York law that this school is breaking by making students mutilate animals was attached for reference.

Many students and parents had no idea they could refuse to cut open animals in science class and several vegetarian students were very happy to find out that in the future they could stand up to this repression and refuse to be a part of this cruelty.

After being brushed off quite rudely by the principal, the science teacher in question did call the number listed on the flyer for Win Animal Rights. After calming down and having a long conversation, she agreed to work with WAR in the future on making sure that her students were aware of their right to choose alternatives to dissection without penalty. For the record, this teacher denied giving failing grades for refusal to dissect and stated that she was very sympathetic to animal rights causes. WAR looks forward to working constructively with Hudson Honors in the future.

Along the Way: Beacon High School

Since this High School is a block away from Hudson Honors, activists decided to stop in to visit the science teacher at Beacon who dissects in his classroom. Although he wasn’t available, the Assistant Principal came down for a brief conversation. He assured activists that students at Beacon are given the opportunity to choose alternative to dissection. Beacon has the software for virtual dissection and the A.P. advised that some students had even left the classroom as they did not want to be present while other students dissected animals.

It was a pleasure to meet and speak to students from both Hudson Honors and Beacon High School. In both locations we were happy to learn that many students are vegetarians and vocal about it!

Event #2: Austrian Consulate - New York City

After a short ride on a crosstown bus, activists found themselves in front of the Austrian consulate again, to protest the unfair and unjust imprisonment of 10 animal rights activists in Austria. Dr. Martin Balluch, good friend of the late Barry Horne, has been on hunger strike for nearly three weeks and the last report anyone has tells of him collapsing and the prison guards laughing and mocking his situation.

It's extremely urgent that these brave animal rights warriors be released, or at the very least CHARGED WITH A CRIME. The "evidence" against them is ridiculously flawed and Austria MUST charge these prisoners or do the right thing and RELEASE THEM IMMEDIATELY!!

Note: Since this report was written, we have heard from prisoner Martin Balluch who is still on hunger strike and being held in the prison hospital. He says that his treatment has been better and more respectful since he was transferred.