Thursday, October 22, 2009 WAR Re-engages Fortress Investment Group & Visits Bristol-Myers Squibb CEO Demo #1: Fortress Investment Group - 1345 Avenue of the Americas, NYC Activists assembled, in front of the formidable building, which houses the offices of the world headquarters of Fortress Invest Group. On two previous occasions WAR activists held protests at the homes of Fortress executives. Both times, Fortress representatives met activists with written statements (one unsigned and one signed) claiming that Fortress had cut its financial ties to Huntingdon Life Sciences/Life Sciences Research. Fortress is one of the companies that allowed Huntingdon Life Sciences to get back on their feet, at a time that a long term loan was due and Huntingdon had no way to make good on it’s debt. By extending a huge long-term loan to HLS/LSR, Fortress enabled Huntingdon Life Sciences to remain in business. Since the time that Fortress made the loan, some 540,000 innocent animals have died at HLS. In view of Fortress’ written statement, activists were willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. Twice, the campaign against Fortress was suspended. Now, with nothing in the marketplace to give credibility to their claim, WAR is once again calling for action against Fortress. This office demo will be the first of many planned to draw attention to the inhumanity and misdeeds of Fortress Investment. Activists gave away hundreds of flyers, while others held graphic banners and posters showing the bloody mutilated remains of animals who were killed by HLS. All activists were in agreement that the Fortress HQ location at 1345 Avenue of the Americas was an excellent location for afternoon and perhaps even early morning protests. "We’ll be back, Fortress"  Demo #2: Michael Novogratz – President & Director – Fortress Investment Group Just a block away from his office, President and Director, Michael Novogratz lives on the 12th floor of a posh building. This location is so convenient that no doubt as long as Fortress remains a target of the campaign, activists know they will be back here. WAR activists took up their position 45 feet away from the front door, which landed them in front of a chic midtown eatery named Michael’s. Needless to say, the management of Michael’s was not pleased to have activists camped in front of their front windows. They immediately called police, who responded with a plain-unmarked van and a half dozen “undercover” police officers. Gee, we would have never been able to figure that one out. We though men in crew cuts who look alike and dress alike, always ride around in plain unmarked vans at night. Sadly, for the Michael’s people, all those plainclothes policemen and their big van blocking the street access to the restaurant was likely not what they had in mind when they called. The protest proceeded without further incident. The banner was unfurled, the posters held high and activist voices were raised to carry the message to Michael Novogratz on the 12th floor. “We will never back down, until you stop the killing” and “Vivisection is a lie, how many animals have to die?” shouted the protesters. Many pedestrians stopped to chat with the demonstrators and they all walked away with flyers detailing the bloody relationship of Fortress and HLS/LSR. Demo #3: James Cornelius - Chairman & CEO - Bristol-Myers Squibb Although tired, activists decided to stop at the luxury hi-rise residence of James Cornelius, Chairman and CEO of Bristol-Myers Squibb, top customer of Huntingdon Life Sciences. Never let it be said that WAR activists are slacker as this protest was just as loud and as passionate as the first. The sounds of their voices filled the night and educated many who were passing by or shopping at the Time-Warner building. A highlight of the evening came when well-known journalist and animal rights advocate, CNN’s Jane Velez Mitchell, stopped to voice her support of the demonstration. She encouraged activists to keep coming out to defend the voiceless animals. Shortly after Jane passed by, another CNN I-Report correspondent stopped to film the protest. She also conducted a short interview with one of the protesters and said that she would try to get the report on CNN’s website. Activists left the area exhausted but well pleased at having accomplished their goals for the evening. Video Clip: |
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