Saturday, November 10, 2007 Global Day of Action against Huntingdon Life Sciences – New York City Demo #1 - Andrew Baker, CEO - Huntingdon Life Sciences In solidarity with British activists that had gathered for a national march on HLS, WAR activists called for a day of global solidarity. In New York City, this day started at the luxury Central Park West apartment of Andrew and Susan Baker. Baker is CEO and head of both Huntingdon Life Sciences and their parent company, Life Sciences Research. Baker also personally holds approximately 25% of all LSR shares making him the largest individual investor/owner. Activists gathered along the sidewalk, across Central Park West, holding a 15-foot banner reading “Andrew Baker Puppy Killer”. Others held signs depicting the mutilated remains of beagle puppies and primates that were murdered by Huntingdon Life Sciences. Loud, strong voices filled the chill air and it was told that the chanting could be heard blocks away. Activists vented their anger and their rage at the continued killing of 500 innocent animals every day by Huntingdon Life Sciences. After the protest and before setting out for the next location, WAR activist Camille Hankins gave a short but passionate speech about the strength and the continuity of the campaign to stop the killing by Huntingdon Life Sciences. An NLG (National Lawyers Guild) Legal Observer, a videographer/photographer and a special guest journalist from the New York Times attended this protest. WAR wishes to thank these individuals for attending the demonstrations as well as the many newcomers to the campaign. Some were attending their first protest. WAR salutes you and encourages you to continue. Demo #2 - Robert McSweeney, New York Stock Exchange - Retired A short walk down Central Park West brought activists to the doorstep of NYSE/Euronext Executive Robert McSweeney. Activists lined the sidewalk directly in front of McSweeney’s swanky hi-rise building to make sure that both he and all of his neighbors could hear about how the NYSE saved Huntingdon Life Sciences when they were so close to failing. The loud voices of over 25 activists once again filled the air with their cadences……”500 animals died today, Robert McSweeney is to blame”. Numerous flyers were handed out on the street and one of them made its way up to McSweeney’s apartment. He called the WAR action line to notify activists that he was no longer employed by the NYSE. After 32 years of service to the NYSE, and over 20 years in a management capacity, activists felt that McSweeney still has influence over his former associates (bet he owns some stock in the NYSE as well). Activists felt that their time at McSweeney’s was well spent and hope that he will take his complaints up with NYSE President Catherine Kinney or CEO John Thain. Demo #3 - Robert Ardrey, Goldman Sachs – Financial Advisor Last protest of the day was at the home of Goldman Sachs financial guru, Robert Ardrey. Goldman Sachs owns over 7 million shares in the NYSE/Euronext, making them uniquely able to influence the Exchange which converted from a non-profit corporation to a public, for profit corporation in 2006. Robert Ardrey joins the ranks of Chairman and CEO Lloyd Blankfein, COO Gary Cohn and Director Esta Stecher who have recently become focal points of this campaign. As always, neighbors stopped to find out why activists were there, many flyers were distributed and the story was told and retold many times that afternoon. Although they had been at it for hours, activists were louder at the last protest than they were at the first. The spirit of solidarity infused the group who shouted loud and strong……”We will never back down until they stop the killing"” Each protest ended with "We’ll be back” and there is no doubt about that. Dinner at Café Blossom A post-protest dinner was held at the recently opened Café Blossom. The dinner was attended by 16 activists who relaxed and enjoyed the fine company and the good vegan food. Video Clips:
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