AR-NEWS Digest 590

Topics covered in this issue include:

  1) ALERT: Pigeon Poisonings in Manhattan
     by Dave 
  2) FFF protest:  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania group 
     by LMANHEIM@aol.com
  3) [CA] BioChem Pharm - further update
     by David J Knowles 
  4) [UK] Hunting fans rally against Bill
     by David J Knowles 
  5) [UK] Tobin blasts anti-sealing group
     by David J Knowles 
  6) [UK] Planned greenhouse emissions announcement postponed
     by David J Knowles 
  7) (US) The beef process, from farm to fork
     by allen schubert 
  8) (US) Big Plans Held for Signing Primate
     by allen schubert 
  9) (US) Concern Over Hog Farms Heightens
     by allen schubert 
 10) Aggressive stray dogs plague Bulgaria's cities 
     by Vadivu Govind 
 11) (US) Festival dedicated to pig abuse
     by Vadivu Govind 
 12) Body Shop's Roddick during Asia-Pacific tour
     by Vadivu Govind 
 13) (TH) Loose tiger shot dead
     by Vadivu Govind 
 14) (PH) Keep a cat or you may be jailed  
     by Vadivu Govind 
 15) (US) The man behind the meat hotline - Dan Glickman
     by Vadivu Govind 
 16) (US) Oklahoma Cockfight Supporter Dies
     by JanaWilson@aol.com
 17) (UK) Anti-hunt Bill gains majority of 260
     by Chris Wright 
 18) ACTIVISTS TAKE OVER MACY'S CRANE
     by civillib@cwnet.com
 19) [UK] High Court Win For Anti-Vivisectionists
     by "Miggi" 
 20) Updated Marine World Alert - Letters Needed!!
     by co@ix.netcom.com (Cathy O'Brien)
 21) FFF ARRESTS/INJURIES (US)
     by civillib@cwnet.com
 22) (US) FFF - Texas
     by allen schubert 
 23) (US) Anti-fur protesters take over crane outside Macy's  
     by allen schubert 
 24) The Lost Ark
     by Lynette Shanley 
 25) US offer looks likely to end EU fur dispute
     by NOVENAANN@aol.com
 26) FFF in New Jersey
     by joemiele 
 27) 60 ARRESTED IN U.S. ANTI-FUR ACTIONS
     by civillib@cwnet.com
 28) Fwd: Fishermen Blamed for Oyster Illness
     by LMANHEIM@aol.com
 29) FFF ARRESTS: NOW 63 TOTAL
     by civillib@cwnet.com
 30) Australia-Deadly rabbit virus baits proposed
     by bunny 
 31) House of Commons Nixes Fox-Hunting
     by NOVENAANN@aol.com
 32) (US) Anti-Fur Protest in U.S.
     by allen schubert 
 33) (US) Fur protesters greet shoppers 
     by allen schubert 
Date: Thu, 27 Nov 1997 22:07:25 -0700
From: Dave 
To: Animal Rights News ,
        Animal Rights Views 
Cc: Brenda Seldin 
Subject: ALERT: Pigeon Poisonings in Manhattan
Message-ID: <347E518A.19BE167@goodnet.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Dear AR-Lists,

    Found this on another list. I'd be interested to know more.

Dave
________________

From: judy adams 
To: BORZOI-L@APPLE.EASE.LSOFT.COM 
Date: Thursday, November 27, 1997 1:29 PM

>My husband just received a copy of this memo from the Fidelco guide
>dog school.  I will type it in its entirety as it is very important.
>
>From:  Dr. Michael S. Garvey, Hospital Director, The E. & M. Bobst
Hospital
>
>It is to:  All AMC Bobst Hospital Clients
>
>An individual or individuals is/are putting a very toxic carbamate
>insecticide in our immediate environment.  The compound is carbofuran
>(Furadan) and has been placed in bread and left in areas where people
>usually feed pigeons.  In several investigated cases, birds ingesting
the
>poison have been observed to die instantaneously after ingestion of
>contaminated bread.  One canine exposure has also been confirmed and
the
>dog died within 1-2 minutes after ingestion of the poison.  At least
two
>red tailed hawks have been killed as well.  Poisonings have occurred in

>Manhattan from 86th and Lexington to 43rd and 6th Avenue, including
Central
>Park.
>
>This poison is extremely powerful.  It is estimaated that as little as
7
>drops can kill a human being, 4-5 drops can kill a child.  It is likely

>that less will kill a dog, cat, or other animal.  So far the poison has

>been discovered in french bread, but other baits and vehicles are also
>possible.  PLEASE DO NOT LET YOUR ANIMALS GET NEAR
>OR CONSUME ANY FOOD ONTHE STREET and be particularly
>careful around areas where people have been
>feeding pigeons.  Also be very careful around dead birds or other
animals.
>If an animal were to consume a poisoned animal it would also be
pooisoned.
>Veterinarians have an antidote for this poison, but the poison acts so
>rapidly that there probably will not be time to administer the antidote

>(atropine).
>
>If you see anything or anyone suspicious, please contact
>the ASPCA, Department of Humane Law Enforcement (212-876-7700).  The
>ASPCA is investigating all cases.



Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 02:01:13 -0500 (EST)
From: LMANHEIM@aol.com
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: FFF protest:  Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania group 
Message-ID: <971128020111_361900596@mrin44.mail.aol.com>

Hi gang...

I'm the one who gave the pep talk about doing a FFF protest in your hometown,
no matter how small.  Anyway, just want to report that I've connected with a
group in Wilkes-Barre, about a half hour's drive from Scranton (the town I
would have done my demo in) and I'll be joining the W-B folks.  This makes
sense because Wilkes-Barre and Scranton are both covered by the same TV news
crews, (and also because I'm drowning in work right now ).

So...to add another to the list...

 Blum Brothers (27 South Main Street) next to Boscov's. Meeting at public
square (one block from store) at 11:30 and going to Blum Brothers at noon.
Gavin at 717-779-1827 is the contact if anyone needs directions, etc. or they
can e-mail Edward at ebmgieda@refuge.microserve.com

Best,
Lynn Manheim


Date: Thu, 27 Nov 1997 23:25:14
From: David J Knowles 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: [CA] BioChem Pharm - further update
Message-ID: <3.0.3.16.19971127232514.1f4f4abe@dowco.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

CTV News reports tonight that Laval police state they believe the Animal
Liberation Front was reponsible for the four bombs which exploded at the
company's head office and manufacturing plant. The plant makes major HIV
drug 3TC.

A Laval police spokesperson said an anonymous call had been placed to a
Quebec newspaper, claiming the bombs were planted by members of the ALF's
Quebec cell.

This claim, however, is being downplayed by others, including a member of
the right-wing Mackenzie Institute, described as a "terrorism expert", who
pointed out the bombs used were a lot more complicted than those normally
used by the ALF.

Liz White, of the Animal Alliance of Canada, said she was upset that the
bombings were being blamed on animal-rights activists.

The report noted that, according to the People for the Ethical Treatment of
Animal's website, ALF may damage buildings, but no harm was ever done to
living beings.

CTV also showed old ALF video footage, showing what appeared to be a cat
rescue.

The bombs were of a high-explosive type usually used in mining operations.
The name of the manufacturers was found on the two devices defused by
police. The manufacturers say they have checked their inventory and have
not found any explosives missing.

David Knowles

[Source:  CTV National News] 

 
SAY NO TO APEC
Date: Thu, 27 Nov 1997 23:53:28
From: David J Knowles 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: [UK] Hunting fans rally against Bill
Message-ID: <3.0.3.16.19971127235328.1f4f453c@dowco.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit

>From The Electronic Telegraph - Friday, November 28th, 1997

Hunting fans rally against Bill
By George Jones and Charles Clover 

COUNTRYSIDE campaigners staged a mass hunt and rally yesterday on the eve
of the Commons debate and vote on the private member's Bill to ban fox
hunting.

More than 3,000 people, plus 500 horses and riders, gathered near Melton
Mowbray, Leics, for the event organised by the Countryside Alliance.

But their show of strength is unlikely to prevent the Wild Mammals (Hunting
with Dogs) Bill receiving a second reading by an overwhelming majority in
the Commons. The Bill seeks to ban hunting of foxes, deer, hare and mink. 

Tony Blair will be among 10 members of the Cabinet who will be absent from
the vote. But Labour backbenchers and many other ministers plan to support
the Bill introduced by Mike Foster, the Labour MP for Worcester.

They hope that a large vote in its favour will increase pressure on the
Government to facilitate legislation during this Parliament to ban hunting
with hounds. A Downing Street spokesman said last night that the Government
would not back down from its refusal to provide time for Mr Foster's Bill.

The Prime Minister's press secretary said that ministers had not yet taken
a decision on whether to provide a further opportunity for a ban if the
Bill failed. However, he hinted that there was "potential" for the issue to
be looked at again in the future.

One option is to allow MPs a free vote on an anti-fox hunting amendment to
the next Criminal Justice Bill.

The Government is under pressure from the animal welfare lobby to allow MPs
another opportunity to vote on a ban if Mr Foster's Bill fails. A Downing
Street spokesman yesterday confirmed that Mr Blair had attended an informal
lunch in early July where there were about 60 guests, including Brian
Davies, the head of the Political Animal Lobby, which gave £1 million to
Labour last year.

"It was a social occasion. It was held to say thank you to some of the
people who had supported the Labour Party during the election campaign. The
Prime Minister had no conversation of substance with anyone present and he
never discusses fund raising with anyone."

The spokesman pointed out that Mr Blair had also met pro-hunting Labour
supporters, including Lady Mallalieu and Lord Puttnam, who himself had
donated money to the party. At the countryside rally, the crowd was
addressed by Alan Duncan, the Tory MP for Rutland and Melton, and a close
aide of William Hague, before a parade of seven local hunts. Rad
Thomas, the joint master of the Quorn Hunt, urged the public to think
carefully about the issues. "People have turned out in strength today
because they are desperately worried that this Bill is attempting to make
us criminals. They do not believe they are criminals and they believe in
what they are doing. They know in their heart of hearts that the loser, if
the Bill becomes law, will be the fox and the countryside and a way of life."

The Alliance has published a report by an independent consultancy which
claims that hunting contributed £9.2 million to the Leicestershire economy
creating jobs and service industries.

Later, country sports supporters began a 24-hour vigil outside Westminster
in protest at the Bill.

The Forestry Commission yesterday announced a ban on deer hunting with
hounds on its land. The ban will affect three staghound packs, the Devon
and Somerset, the Tiverton and the Quantock Staghounds.

The decision was based on a study for the National Trust by Prof Patrick
Bateson an animal behaviour expert from Kings College, Cambridge, which
showed that being chased by hounds causes deer unacceptable suffering. 

Worst hit will be the Quantock Staghounds, which is largely dependent on
commission land after it was banned from the trust's property earlier this
year. Forestry Commissioners have allowed the hunt to continue until the
end of the season, to allow "alternative arrangements" for controlling the
deer. An Alliance spokesman said: "We remain convinced that Prof Bateson's
report is seriously flawed and that staghunting remains essential to the
future of the deer herds on Exmoor and the Quantocks. "

© Copyright Telegraph Group Limited 1997. 
SAY NO TO APEC
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 00:39:20
From: David J Knowles 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: [UK] Tobin blasts anti-sealing group
Message-ID: <3.0.3.16.19971128003920.2a171bc6@dowco.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit

>From The Vancouver Sun website (www.vancouversun.com)

Friday, November 28th, 1997

Tobin blasts anti-sealing group

ST. JOHN'S, Nfld. (CP) – Newfoundland Premier Brian Tobin has taken a club
to the anti-sealing group International Fund for Animal Welfare, saying it
preys on the misinformed. 

"Their self-indulgent splurge of advertising dollars, in my mind – and I
say to the IFAW sue me and I hope you have it on video – is a campaign
designed to pick to pockets of the naive and the misinformed," he thundered
Wednesday night to the applause of 200 people at an international sealing
conference. 

One woman in the crowd rose to make a comment but was drowned out by the
clapping. 

Tobin said seals are killed under strict guidelines that ensure humane
treatment and full use of the carcass. 

"I'm here to celebrate ... all you've done and assure you that Newfoundland
and Labrador stands with you for the responsible development of a humane
and profitable seal hunt for those who depend upon that resource," he told
delegates from several countries, including the United States, Greenland,
Iceland and Norway. 

After a fashion show of sealskin products, the premier was presented with a
sealskin vest, which he quickly put on. 

The International Fund for Animal Welfare was expected to crash the event,
but it didn't make an appearance. 

The group has recruited several high-profile Canadians in it's latest
attack on an industry it calls inhumane. 

Many Newfoundlanders who have used the hunt to supplement meagre incomes
say the activists seem more concerned about the welfare of seals than of
people struggling to make a living. 

(Accompanying picture showed Tobin wearing sealskin jacket)

Copyright The Vancouver Sun / Pacific Press 1997
 

SAY NO TO APEC
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 00:39:06
From: David J Knowles 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: [UK] Planned greenhouse emissions announcement postponed
Message-ID: <3.0.3.16.19971128003906.2a171894@dowco.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit

>From The Vancouver Sun website (www.vancouversun.com)

Friday, November 28th, 1997

Planned greenhouse emissions announcement postponed

DENNIS BUECKERT


OTTAWA (CP) – The federal government has abruptly postponed plans for
Friday to announce Canada's position on climate-altering greenhouse gas
emissions on the eve of a critical international summit. 

"There is one point that couldn't be ironed out and officials need to
clarify it," said a government official. He described the issue as minor,
and said the announcement had been rescheduled until Monday, the first day
of the Kyoto meeting in Japan on the international strategy to cut carbon
dioxide and other greenhouse emissions. 

The announcement came after a lengthy cabinet meeting. The official, asking
not to be named, denied there was a split either in cabinet or among Ottawa
and the provinces on the issue. 

"It's an extremely minor point but it caused enough concern that the
question could not be answered to the satisfaction of all," he said. 

"Consensus has been reached between the federal government and the
provinces and consensus has been reached at the cabinet table, but there is
this one point that needs to be ironed out." 

The announcement of the postponement is sure to place the government, and
particularly Environment Minister Christine Stewart and Natural Resources
Ralph Goodale, under a lot of pressure in the Commons Friday. 

Opposition parties have been demanding for weeks that the government come
clean on its plan for the meeting in Japan, but with little success. 

"It's a bit of joke," said Chuck Strahl, the Reform party's environment
critic. 

 "It's off again-on again-off again," he said. "This could be the biggest
story of the year . . . There's no position to debate." 

Earlier Thursday, government officials said Ottawa was looking to promote a
scheme Friday that would allow countries to trade pollution permits as part
of its strategy to curb greenhouse gas emissions. 

Such a scheme, possibly operated jointly with the United States or on a
North America-wide basis, would make it much easier and cheaper to limit
greenhouse emissions after the year 2000. 

"With permit trading it allows the carbon reductions to be done wherever
it's cheapest to do them so you minimize the impacts on your economy," said
a federal official, who asked not to be named. 

As an example of how emissions trading would work, consider two
coal-burning factories, one of them with access to hydro electricity, and
the other without such access. Each firm is given a permit to produce five
tonnes of carbon. 

The firm with access to hydro electricity could easily reduce its emissions
by 10 tonnes, and sell its "extra" five tonnes in reductions to the other
for money.

This would achieve a 10 tonne reduction much more cheaply than if each firm
had to reduce its emissions by five tonnes. The permits could be traded
within Canada and between companies across borders. 

Canada is the last major industrial country to make its position at the
Kyoto conference known. 

The federal government has been under pressure from Alberta not to damage
its oil industry while other provinces, most notably Quebec, want bigger
and quicker reductions in the gases that cause global warming.
 
Nine out of 10 Canadian provinces have endorsed a proposal to cut emissions
to 1990 levels by the year 2010. Again, Quebec would like stronger action. 

In a recent letter to her provincial counterparts, Stewart said Canada is
exploring the possibility of emissions trading between Canada and the
United States. 

Canada and the United States have also agreed to look for ways to
co-operate in the areas of public education and cleaner, more efficient
transportation, she adds. 

It has been speculated that Canada will also promise to stabilize emissions
a couple of years ahead of the Americans – perhaps by 2007 – then reduce
emissions in a subsequent period. 

And others expect Ottawa to push for a treaty that allows countries to set
different targets depending on their circumstances. 

Copyright The Vancouver Sun / Pacific Press 1997
SAY NO TO APEC
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 06:24:39 -0500
From: allen schubert 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US) The beef process, from farm to fork
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19971128062436.0071e994@pop3.clark.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

from CNN http://www.cnn.com/
----------------------------------------------------
The beef process, from farm to fork

November 27, 1997
 Web posted at: 10:43 p.m. EST (0343 GMT)

>From Correspondent Jeff Flock

LEIGH, Nebraska (CNN) -- Beef production is the biggest part 
of the U.S. food industry, which in turn is the largest 
segment of the American economy. Beef processors have also 
taken a lot of heat recently when it comes to food safety.

So just how does beef go from the farm to the fork?

The story starts with artificial insemination. At farms and 
ranches, such as the Settje Ranch in Leigh, Nebraska, 
insemination makes it possible for one prize bull to breed 
with the best of the heifers.

"It's definitely turned into a science," says rancher Dean 
Settje.

Once pregnant, the heifers start calving in January. About 
half of the calves will be used as breeding stock. The other 
half will be sent to slaughter -- but not before they're 
fattened up.

Cows eat shell corn (left) and gluten at the Knobbe Feed Yards in West
Point, Nebraska

First, they eat grass or corn stalks on the ranch to gain 
their first few hundred pounds. Then, they graze on pasture 
land until they get in the range of 700 to 800 pounds.

At that point, they will be shipped to a feed yard, where 
they will be fed a diet of shell corn and gluten. They'll 
stay four months and gain another 400 pounds.

The food conversion factor for cattle is about 7 to 1; that 
is, for every seven pounds of feed they eat, they'll gain a 
pound.

After they are fattened up, the cows take a walk to what is 
euphemistically called processing -- which includes stunning 
the animal, killing it, taking the hide off, eviscerating it 
and splitting it in half.

Cows walk through holding pens to the processing area

Most slaughterhouses won't let cameras in to witness what 
goes on during processing. But the Excel Plant in Schulyer, 
Nebraska, opened its doors to CNN, to provide a sense of what 
takes place.

Each morning, workers clean and disinfect what's called the 
"kill floor." Federal inspectors check it every day, taking 
samples to test for bacteria.

After the killing process, the sides of beef are pasteurized 
with steam, then put in a cooler for 48 hours. USDA graders 
rate the meat -- either prime, choice or select -- and stamp 
it with the familiar purple-blue dye.

Then the cutting starts. After using an air gun to loosen fat 
and make trimming easier, the beef is cut up into the chuck, 
rib, loin, round and other big parts. Then, it is vacuum 
packed and boxed for shipping, perhaps to your local grocery 
store.

There, the packages are opened up and cut into the smaller 
steaks, roasts and the rest, which are sealed in those 
plastic packages familiar in the meat department of your 
local grocer.

>From breeding to eating takes about a year and a half.

Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 07:42:07 -0500
From: allen schubert 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US) Big Plans Held for Signing Primate
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19971128074204.00721b38@pop3.clark.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

(from Yerkes to the zoo)
from AP http://wire.ap.org/
---------------------------------------
 11/28/1997 04:16 EST

 Big Plans Held for Signing Primate

 By TARA MEYER
 Associated Press Writer

 ATLANTA (AP) -- Chantek, a giant ball of orange fur, puts a fist to his
 chin -- sign language for orange.

 ``Give me the cup, Chantek. Then, I'll give you an orange,'' trainer Lyn
 Miles signs back, motioning to the plastic juice cup the 450-pound
 orangutan has nabbed from her. He repeats the sign for the orange, again
 without success, then turns away.

 ``That's the 'No way, lady,' response,'' said Carol Flammer of Zoo
 Atlanta.

 Chantek is the zoo's latest and possibly most fascinating addition to its
 primate group. Raised like a human child, Chantek knows at least 150
 words in American Sign Language.

 Chantek isn't merely aping what he sees. Ms. Miles believes he
 understands and uses the language just as people do, a talent the zoo
 hopes to eventually share with the world.

 ``What is really spectacular is that Chantek is actually using the
 symbols he's learned as his language,'' she said. ``He can talk about
 places he doesn't see. He can talk about things that aren't present. I
 can ask him to sign better and he will.''

 Zoo officials have big plans for Chantek. Director Terry Maple and Ms.
 Miles envision a $1 million amphitheater where children could interact
 and talk with Chantek through the glass, but not in a way that would make
 him a performing seal.

 ``I truly think this will be the most exciting exhibit in the world,''
 Ms. Miles said.

 Chantek, who zoo officials say thinks like a 4-year-old human, is one of
 a handful of signing primates throughout the country. Washoe, the
 32-year-old female chimp who is one of the most famous, lives in
 Washington. Koko, a signing gorilla, lives in California.

 Chantek, who is nearing age 20, was born at the Yerkes Regional Primate
 Research Center in Atlanta and was sent to live in a trailer with Ms.
 Miles at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga for about nine years.

 Ms. Miles, an anthropologist, raised Chantek as if he were her own child.
 She fed him at 4 a.m. and even toilet trained him. As he grew up, Chantek
 learned to clean his room and was given an allowance, which he spent for
 treats such as car rides and trips to fast-food joints.

 Chantek proved a quick learner. He memorized the way to McDonald's, made
 shadow puppets on the wall, threw tantrums and even told about three lies
 a week, she said.

 ``He'd tell me he had to go to the bathroom and then go in there just to
 play with the knobs on the toilet,'' Ms. Miles said.

 Chantek came back to Yerkes in 1986 and Ms. Miles followed, continuing
 her research until 1989. Yerkes gave him to the zoo last month.

Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 07:45:56 -0500
From: allen schubert 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US) Concern Over Hog Farms Heightens
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19971128074554.0071e178@pop3.clark.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

factory farm/corporate farm/family farm/environment
from AP http://wire.ap.org/
---------------------------------------
 11/28/1997 01:40 EST

 Concern Over Hog Farms Heightens

 By ROGER MUNNS
 Associated Press Writer

 DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- The heightened volume of Iowa's great hog debate
 can be explained in a fish story.

 It comes from Don Paulin, the top pollution control officer for the Iowa
 Department of Natural Resources. Paulin said there are no more instances
 of major pollution occurring in 1997 than there were in 1992. It's just
 that people notice them more.

 Like fishermen.

 ``A fisherman who saw a dead fish 10 years ago, he'd say, `Hmm, dead
 fish,''' Paulin said. ``A fisherman who sees a dead fish today, he
 thinks, `Hogs.'''

 Spills of hog manure have killed fish, Paulin said. But everyone seems to
 have forgotten that fish also die of natural causes or from pollutants
 that have nothing to do with hogs, he said.

 Yet concerns and actions seem to have stepped up:

 --In Franklin County, a group of farmers wants to carve a ``city'' out of
 farmland, thus gaining control over agriculture. Cities can prevent hog
 lots; counties cannot.

 --In Humboldt County, supervisors defied lawmakers and approved
 ordinances to regulate the construction of big hog lots. Other counties
 likely will follow suit if the Iowa Supreme Court rules it is legal. The
 state Legislature may have its say, too.

 The increasingly popular way to raise hogs is to put them in a
 confinement building holding 1,000 each. Farmers who contract to feed
 hogs to market weight can produce 2,500 animals a year in each of these
 buildings, and many farmers have several. Most of the feeding and other
 chores are automated.

 The manure goes to clay-lined lagoons or to concrete or steel pools.
 Either kind can hold millions of gallons of liquid manure.

 The issues center around odor and pollution. In the background is a third
 fight over whether that competition from the larger operator is putting
 pressure on the smaller ones.

 Both sides wrap themselves in the flag of ``family farmer,'' with smaller
 operators angry about the ``factory farm mentality'' of some of their
 neighbors.

 But many of these bigger operations are single family units trying to
 preserve a business for their children to inherit. ``We are the family
 farm,'' said Karmen Mehmen, whose family is contracting to raise hogs.

 With expansion comes odor.

 Thousands of rural Iowans are furious that farmers, by law, are immune
 from nuisance suits.

 Louis Fallesen, who operates a repair business on a small acreage he owns
 near Gilmore City, said that within four miles of his house to the
 southeast there are 40,000 hogs.

 When the wind is coming from that direction, he gets the odor.

 ``On a calm day in the summer, when the air is heavy, it's just like
 being in the building with them,'' Fallesen says. The odor, he adds,
 ``has already affected our property value.''

 Scientists at Iowa State University are working on ways to reduce odor.
 One promising technology is to cover the lagoon with straw, but it is
 expensive and requires special equipment.

 The second issue is pollution.

 When manure gets into the water, it kills fish and threatens drinking
 supplies. Much of this can be traced to over-application of manure on
 fields, and not from structural failure of ponds or pools.

 For that reason, the state is proposing that all manure applicators
 receive training and to require manure to be injected in the soil,
 preventing runoff and odor.

 ``There are still people out there who are spreading this stuff who are
 operating maybe in a 1940s mode who don't quite recognize the impact that
 over-application can have on their neighbors,'' Paulin said.

Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 21:36:49 +0800 (SST)
From: Vadivu Govind 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Aggressive stray dogs plague Bulgaria's cities 
Message-ID: <199711281336.VAA11502@eastgate.cyberway.com.sg>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"


>The Straits Times
27 Nov 97

Aggressive stray dogs plague Bulgaria's cities

Sofia - Thousands of stray dogs roam the towns and cities of Bulgaria where
the animals are no longer exterminated routinely as they were in the
communist era.

They haunt the streets in packs, barking and snarling at pedestrians and
scavenging through bins for food. They are often aggressive, especially when
they are hungry and sometimes they attack.

It is common to see strays suddenly dart into the road, leaving drivers the
choice of either running them over or causing an accident.  Some dogs have
become so experienced in traffic that they have learned to cross the roads
at the same time as pedestrians.

About 6,000 people are bitten by dogs yearly, the National Veterinary
Service said.

According to Health Ministry figures, 91 people have died from echinococcus
or canine tapeworm over the past five years. - AFP.

Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 21:37:20 +0800 (SST)
From: Vadivu Govind 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US) Festival dedicated to pig abuse
Message-ID: <199711281337.VAA11902@eastgate.cyberway.com.sg>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"


> The Straits Times
28 Nov 97

20,000 expected at annual pig-out in Georgia town

Climax (Georgia) - Buffalo is famous for its wings and Philadelphia, for its
cheese steaks.  But crowds flock to Climax to really pig out.

Organisers of its 23rd annual Swine Time Festival said on Wednesday that
they expect 20,000 people - the city's usual population is 295 - this
weekend for the chance to try the local delicacy: pig intestines.

The town is 400km south-west of Atlanta near the Florida border.

The events begin with a big breakfast followed by, among others, a 5-km
race, a parade, a greased-pig chasing contest and pig dressing.

For the pig-dressing contest the top prize is US$50 (S$80.50) and everyone
who dresses a pig "gets US$10 because we figure it's worth US$10 just to get
a pig dressed", a resident said on Wednesday.

But the high point of events is a contest to see who can eat the most
chitterlings, a chewy delicacy of the American South consisting of the fried
small intestines of hogs.

The winner gets "just a regular little trophy with a pig on top", the
resident said. - Reuters.
 

Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 21:37:28 +0800 (SST)
From: Vadivu Govind 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Body Shop's Roddick during Asia-Pacific tour
Message-ID: <199711281337.VAA11355@eastgate.cyberway.com.sg>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"


>The Straits Times
Life! section

28 Nov 97

Body Shop will launch its new     waterless products next year in
response to the looming world water     shortage 

     Not enough water? Try milk, oil on your skin 
S. TSERING BHALLA

     IMAGINE smoothing powdered body lotion on your skin or cleansing your
face with a     concoction of salt and oil. 

     Ugh? Not if the products are from the Body Shop. 

     In another 10 months, millions of women in 47 countries might be doing
just that when     the famously "green" cosmetics company launches its new
waterless or anhydrous     products. 

     Founder Anita Roddick said her company, placed 28th in a ranking of the
world's top     100 brands by American analyst Interbrand Design Counsel,
will be launching the     products around October next year. 

She was in town recently as part of an Asia-Pacific tour. 

     In an interview with Life! on Monday, the 52-year-old British
businesswoman said the     new products which use oil and milk in place of
water were in response to the looming     world water shortage. 

     "About four years ago, we asked the World Watch group, the world's
largest     environmental body, what it thought was the biggest disaster
facing us and it said it was     water shortage. 

     "We immediately set to work on products that would not use water. We
now have     have 12 products like soaps made from salt and oil, or sugar
and yoghurt-based     cleansers that are being tested out in our
laboratories," she said. 

Details such as product names and pricing strategies still have to be worked
out. 

     Meanwhile, two new shops were opened here a few months ago, taking the
total     number of Body Shop outlets in Singapore to 16. 

     Barring a few hiccups, the 21-year-old firm's success story continues
unabated,     confounding business gurus -- it had no marketing department
until three years ago and     does no advertising. 

     Despite financial setbacks last year when a privatisation scheme had to
be abandoned,     the company's worldwide sales during the last financial
year were 622.5 million (S$1.6     billion), an 8 per cent increase from the
previous year. 

     And apparently immune to the haze or the currency crises in South-east
Asia, it plans to open 21 new outlets in the region by the end of this year. 

     Then again, perhaps it is sound business strategy considering the
region accounts for 60     per cent of the company's profits. 

     Born Anita Lucia Perella to one of the few Italian immigrant families
in Littlehampton,     Sussex, Ms Roddick was, at various times, a teacher, a
librarian, a worker at the     International Labour Organisation and a
hotelier. 

     In 1976, at 34, the mother of two girls opened a little shop in a small
English town     selling simple, natural skin and hair preparations with a
minimum of packaging and, to     her everlasting surprise, never looked back. 

     Since then, Ms Roddick has been blazing a trail internationally for her
unorthodox     business ways and vocal campaigns. Issues have ranged from
the environment to Romanian orphans to forcing a paradigm shift in the way
companies do business. 

     Paradoxically for a toiletries manufacturer like herself, foremost on
her list of priorities     is a total ban on animal testing for cosmetics. 

     In addition to this, she campaigns on behalf of minority groups, women and
     disadvantaged peoples who are socially and economically-marginalised. 

     Putting her money where her mouth is, Ms Roddick insists the Body Shop
try and     source its raw materials and accessories from communities in
need through her     Community Trade Programme. 

     Shea butter and cocoa beans come from Ghana, babassu oil and Brazil nut
oil come     from Brazil, sesame seed oil from Nicaragua and honey and
beeswax from Zambia. 

Accessories are made in the Philippines, Mexico, India, Bangladesh, Russia and
 Nepal. 

     The majority of Body Shop stores are run through franchisees, one
reason for the     company's rapid growth. 

     Singapore is one of the few exceptions where the stores are run by a
subsidiary with     the management reporting back to the main office in London. 

     Ms Roddick said she had no intention though of an education campaign in
any country     involved in the recent environmental disaster in the region. 

     In her characteristically feisty way, she pronounced that the issue was
not about     education of the people. 

Ms Roddick, who was an active campaigner for executed Ogonbi Tribe leader
Ken     Saro-Wiwa of Nigeria, has two new credits to her name. 

     Just earlier this month, after 21 years of campaigning by the Body
Shop, the British     government announced a ban on animal testing on
finished products in the cosmetic     industry. 

     Two weeks before this, she had written to Prime Minister Tony Blair to
seek his     personal intervention when it was reported that the government
was likely to backtrack     on its pre-election promise to impose the ban. 

     Her second recent achievement was getting her own column for six months
in the Independent On Sunday in the first half of this year. 

     She also helped Mr Blair in his campaign earlier this year by agreeing
to appear in his     party's business election broadcast where she roundly
lambasted the Conservative     Party. 

     But despite an over-developed social conscience inherited from an
adored mother, she     has no political aspirations. 

     "I like to be on the outside to challenge. I'm better as a gad-fly,"
she laughs. 

     Besides, who would look after those 1,500 outlets in the far-flung Body
Shop empire,     not to speak of the dolphins and other endangered species? 

Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 21:37:38 +0800 (SST)
From: Vadivu Govind 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (TH) Loose tiger shot dead
Message-ID: <199711281337.VAB11842@eastgate.cyberway.com.sg>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"


>Bangkok Post
27 Nov 97

Loose tiger slain by sugar cane grower
  Kanchanaburi


A tiger believed to have escaped from a private zoo was shot
              dead by a sugar cane grower in Tha Maka district yesterday.

              Noen Suthibut, 44, suspected the tiger, which was 1.6 metres
              long and stood 50 centimetres tall, had killed his dog after he
              spotted the animal roaming near his plantation on Wednesday.

              He waited all night for the tiger to appear and killed it with his
              shotgun when it did.

              He has kept its meat for food.

              Another tiger was also reportedly sighted near Wat Prathaen in
              Tha Maka.

              District chief Preecha Phromsurin said he wanted to catch the
              tiger alive, which is thought to be the mother of the one that was
              shot.

              Legal action could be taken against the zoo owner if it is
              confirmed they were his tigers, Mr Preecha said.


Article copyright Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd 1997
Reprinted for non-commercial use only.
Website: http://www.bangkokpost.net

Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 21:37:44 +0800 (SST)
From: Vadivu Govind 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (PH) Keep a cat or you may be jailed  
Message-ID: <199711281337.VAA07664@eastgate.cyberway.com.sg>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"



>The Straits Times
27 Nov 97

Keep a cat in this Philippine village or you may be     jailed 

     BENGUET (Philippines) -- The municipal council in Kapangan town has
approved     legislation which makes it an offence -- punishable by jail --
to refuse to own a cat. 

     However, the law has been stalled as the provincial legal office has
declared the law     unconstitutional, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported. 

     The nine-man council unanimously passed the ordinance in response to
complaints     from the town's farmers that farm rats were feasting on their
crops, the report said. 

     Mayor Liso Agpas approved and endorsed the ordinance, the report said. 
Vice-mayor Rogelio Leon, who is also the council's chairman, said that the
ordinance     would prevent the spread of the infestation as the cats could
prevent homes from     becoming breeding places for rats. 

     Under the ordinance, it is an offence to refuse to own a cat, drive
away a cat or kill one     that has grown up in your house. 

     First offenders will be reprimanded and be required to get a cat or
replace a lost cat     while second offenders will be fined 200 pesos (S$9.80). 

     Third offenders will be jailed for 10 days and fined 400 pesos. 

     Benguet's legal counsel Juan Nazarro said that although the objectives
of the law were     laudable, its implementation went against the
constitutional guarantee that "no person shall be deprived of life, liberty
or property without due process of law". 


Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 21:38:00 +0800 (SST)
From: Vadivu Govind 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US) The man behind the meat hotline - Dan Glickman
Message-ID: <199711281338.VAA11909@eastgate.cyberway.com.sg>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"


>The Straits Times
 27 Nov 97

The man behind the meat hotline

     WASHINGTON -- Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman (above) knows what
terrifies     Americans. Spoiled turkey. 

     During his stint manning his department's meat-and-poultry hotline on
Tuesday, Mr     Glickman fielded five calls from people already fretting
over their feast. None seemed     impressed that they had him on the line. 

     They just wanted reassurances they would not turn their Thanksgiving
into a "wretched"     holiday. 

     His advice, culled from hotline chief Bessie Barry: Do not let hot food
sit out for hours,     don't mix the stuffing too far ahead of time, and if
in doubt about the freshness of the     raw bird, bend over and take a good
whiff. Spoilage has an overpowering smell. 

And where did Mr Glickman acquire his expertise in this area? From his
department     experts, and not from personal experience, he said. --
Washington Post. 


Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 10:56:18 -0500 (EST)
From: JanaWilson@aol.com
To: Ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US) Oklahoma Cockfight Supporter Dies
Message-ID: <971128105617_1873672515@mrin84.mail.aol.com>


A/w local Okla. City news:

Former state representative and colorful champion of cockfighting
rights (cockfighting is legal and thriving in Oklahoma), Mr. John
Monks died Wednesday in his Muskogee, Okla. home.  He was
72.  Monks, whose political career spanned more than 20 years
until defeated, is best known for his famous passionate speech
to the Okla. House of Representatives against a bill to outlaw
cockfighting in Oklahoma.
The Muskogee Democrat's crowning moment came when he
thundered, "The first thing the Communists do when they take
over a country is to outlaw cockfighting," while he played a tape
recording of roosters crowing.  In the gallery, his Muskogee
supporters waved little American flags and crowed along 
"cock-a-doodle-do."  The bill went down to "hilarious" defeat.
"He was a great man and a great patriot," said his son-in-law.
He was also preceded in death by his son who was fatallly shot
in 1990 outside a bar in Las Vagas.

                                                   For the Animals,

                                                   Jana, OKC
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 15:58:00 GMT
From: Chris Wright 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (UK) Anti-hunt Bill gains majority of 260
Message-ID: <349ee7aa.25215098@post.demon.co.uk>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

MP Mike Foster's Bill to ban the hunting of wild animals with dogs
received a resounding majority of 260 in today's House of Commons
vote.

For: 411
Against: 151

Despite this, the Bill is unlikely to become law as a few fervent
opponents will use undemocratic tactics to ensure the Bill runs out of
time during the review process, as the Labour Government has indicated
that it won't make extra parliamentary time available for the Bill,
but speculation is mounting that the Government will find room for
hunting legislation in one of its own Bills in the near future.

Prior to the vote, Government Minister George Howarth didn't make any
announcement about what would happen if this Bill is talked out. He
made comments about what would be thought of those who might defeat
the Bill, but nothing else. Now the size of the majority is known,
we'll have to see what happens...
----

Chris Wright
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 08:07:27 -0800 (PST)
From: civillib@cwnet.com
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: ACTIVISTS TAKE OVER MACY'S CRANE
Message-ID: <199711281607.IAA09403@smtp.cwnet.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit

URGENT NEWS ADVISORY
November 28, 1997 (7 a.m.)




SF ANTI-FUR ACTIVISTS
OCCUPY MACY'S CRANE,
DROP 100-FOOT BANNER

     SAN FRANCISCO – At least 5 militant animal rights activists have occupied a
175-foot crane overlooking Macy's and Union Square here as part of a
nationally-coordinated campaign designed to stop the use of leghold traps,
and the sale of animal fur.

     The activists scaled the crane – part of the construction site on Macy's
grounds – at about 5 a.m. and have dropped a 100-foot banner declaring: "Fur
Is Murder."

     Police and Macy's security are on the scene, and arrests are expected.

     However, the activists have locked themselves to different parts of the
crane and have said through supporters they are prepared to remain in place
for days, if necessary.

     Thousands of animal rights and environmental activists will participate in
what has become known as "Fur Free Friday " today. In 1996, there were more
than 100 arrests in dozens of cities as activists blockaded entrances and
disrupted businesses that sell animal furs.

     This year, demonstrations are expected in key metropolitan cities,
including direct actions in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta,
Chicago, Dallas, Salt Lake City, Portland, Minneapolis, Boston, Beverly
Hills, Detroit, Seattle, Indianapolis, Orlando, Salt Lake City, Waikiki, Las
Vegas, Washington D.C., Long Island, Cincinnati, Boston, Syracuse, Madison,
Atlantic City, Hartford, San Diego, Phoenix, and Tucson.

     The primary target of the massive demonstration will be Federated Dept.
Stores, the multi-billion dollar chain that owns Macy's, Lazarus,
Bloomingdale's and 400 stores nationwide. Fur speciality stores and other
chains like Neiman Marcus are also targeted.

     "Fur sales are on the downward trend, but still, nearly 40 million animals
are killed by neck-breaking, anal electrocution and suffocation every year
for vanity – fur coats and fur trimmed coats," said a statement issued by
the Animal Rights Direct Action Coalition. 
-30-

Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 16:41:33 +0000
From: "Miggi" 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: [UK] High Court Win For Anti-Vivisectionists
Message-ID: <199711281641.QAA03961@serv4.vossnet.co.uk>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT

> From BBC Teletext page 110

A High Court judge has warned that care must be taken in interpreting 
new anti-stalking laws to stop them being used to stifle public 
debate.
Mr Justice Eadie made the comments after lifting an injunction 
preventing the British Union For The Abolition Of Vivisection (BUAV) 
from picketting a laboratory.
He said it had not been Parliament's aim to stifle public 
demonstrations.
The incident happened outside three Huntingdon Life Science centres.
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 13:52:23 -0600 (CST)
From: co@ix.netcom.com (Cathy O'Brien)
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Updated Marine World Alert - Letters Needed!!
Message-ID: <199711281952.NAA04334@dfw-ix4.ix.netcom.com>

Updated Action Alert Re Marine World Africa USA

Letters needed!!!!


Following the recent death of Yaka, the orca at Marine World, it is 
critical that we keep the pressure up on the park and urge them to 
retire, rehabilitate and release Vigga, the remaining orca.  We 
received excellent media coverage following Yaka’s death, and park 
officials are definitely feeling the pressure.

Nevertheless, there have been recent developments that are cause for 
concern.  First, we have received reports that Vigga is or has been 
ill.  While the park steadfastly denies this, we continue to be greatly 
concerned about Vigga’s health and future.

Secondly, Premier Parks, the theme park company which manages Marine 
World, recently announced plans to invest $30 million to expand and 
enhance the park.  Unfortunately, along with many new thrill rides, the 
program also includes a new, “state-of-the-art” $4 million dolphin show 
stadium which will hold up to eight dolphins and seat 2,800 people.  
This is very unfortunate news, as we had been hoping that Premier Parks 
(which operates several amusement parks around the country, none other 
of which have animals) would begin to phase out animal acts and move 
more toward rides and other non-animal attractions.  

This is where we need your help!  We urgently need people to write 
letters to the Mayor of the City of Vallejo (owner of Marine World) and 
the CEO of Premier Parks.  Let them know that you continue to be 
saddened by the death of Yaka and urge them to consider the retirement 
and release of Vigga.  Let them know that their plans to expand and 
enhance animal attractions are misguided.  Remind them that the public 
no longer supports such archaic exhibits, and  that attendance is 
plummeting at parks that display captive marine mammals.  Encourage 
them to move away from exploitative animal acts and to instead move 
into the 20th Century, with more high-tech, virtual reality type 
exhibits:  these are the types of attractions which excite and attract 
the public and will truly help Marine World increase attendance and 
profits.

Remember, we have had recent success in shutting down proposed new 
captive marine mammal facilities:  We can and we must stop this one, 
too!

Addresses are:

The Honorable Gloria Exline
Mayor, City of Vallejo
555 Santa Clara Street
Vallejo, CA  94590
Phone:  (707) 648-4377
Fax:  (707) 649-3470

Kieran E. Burke, CEO
Premier Parks, Inc.
11501 Northeast Expressway
Oklahoma City, OK  73131
Phone:  (405) 475-2500
Fax:  (405) 475-2555

A sample letter is included below, if needed for assistance in writing 
letters.  For more information, please contact: 
Suzanne Roy, In Defense of Animals, 131 Camino Alto, Suite E, Mill 
Valley, CA 94941; phone:  (415) 388-9641; fax:  (415) 388-0388; email:  
idausa@ix.netcom.com  OR
Cathy O’Brien, ORCA, 330 Esplanade, Suite 27, Pacifica, CA  94044; 
phone:  (650) 738-1261; fax:  same (call first); email: 
co@ix.netcom.com

Please send copies of your letters to either Suzanne or Cathy.  
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!!! 


Sample Letter:

Dear Mayor Exline and Mr. Burke:

I am writing to express my strong concerns about Premier Parks’ recent 
announcement of its $30 million program to expand and enhance 
attractions at Marine World/Africa USA.  Specifically, I was 
disappointed to hear about plans to build a new $4 million dolphin show 
stadium.  I believe that this is a very misguided direction to take.

It is clear that the public no longer supports keeping marine mammals 
in captive environments.  The trend can be seen around the country.  As 
people become increasingly aware of the cruelty involved in confining 
whales and dolphins in tiny, concrete tanks, they do not support these 
facilities.  Attendance and profits decline; several parks over the 
last few years have either closed down their captive marine mammal 
shows or gone out of business entirely.  

If you truly want Marine World’s financial situation to improve -- and 
you both owe it to the taxpayers of the City of Vallejo to do all you 
can to see that this happens -- you must modernize your focus.  As we 
move into the 20th Century, people’s ideas of entertainment are 
changing.  “The same old thing” just doesn’t cut it anymore.  People 
want to see new, exciting, high-tech types of exhibits.  I strongly 
encourage you to seek out new attractions that fit into this category.  

Think about some of the high-tech, spectacular, virtual reality type 
attractions that have been added at other amusement parks.  These are 
the things that excite people and draw crowds.  Outdated, exploitative 
shows where whales jump up to hit rubber balls and people ride on the 
backs of dolphins don’t.  

Marine World is at a critical juncture.  You now have an opportunity to 
be at the forefront of entertainment and education around the world in 
the areas of marine life and the environment, as well as many others.  
Or you can follow the same trend and see attendance and profits 
continue to fall.  I urge you to think seriously about which direction 
you are heading.  If you continue to pour millions of dollars into 
archaic animal attractions, new animals, dolphin stadiums and the 
like, the park will continue to suffer in attendance and profits.  
However, if you make use of modern technology and come up with 
creative, exciting new ideas, you will not only attract people in the 
short term, but will be developing attractions that will sustain the 
park well into the next century.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.



Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 12:28:50 -0800 (PST)
From: civillib@cwnet.com
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: FFF ARRESTS/INJURIES (US)
Message-ID: <199711282028.MAA19526@smtp.cwnet.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit

URGENT NEWS ADVISORY Update #2 (12:30 p.m. PST)
November 28, 1997






SOME INJURIES, DOZENS OF ARRESTS IN ANTI-FUR PROTESTS

     Dozens of arrests – and some injuries – were reported Friday as nearly 100
separate demonstrations against the sale of animal furs, and the leghold
trap, took place during "Fur Free Friday" across the U.S.

     Many protests are still ongoing, especially in the West, with shoppers and
departments stores that sell fur extremely inconvenienced by the show of
opposition to fur products.

     – In Dallas, 10 anti-fur activists were arrested – and several had to be
sent to jail hospitals for treatment of minor injuries – after police
overreacted and began beating demonstrators opposed to the sale of fur at
the Neiman Marcus flagship store. There were about 80 protestors overall.

     – In Long Island (Garden City, NY), 13 activists were arrested early today
after they locked themselves together at the main entrance to a Macy's
mega-store. 

     – In Eatonville, NJ, 2 activists were arrested for blocking the entrance to
Macy's.

     – In Atlanta, 2 activists were arrested for disrupting sales at York Furs.

     – In San Francisco, arrests are expected where dozens of activists have
blockaded the entrance to a Neiman Marcus, and scaled a 175-foot crane – and
dropped a "Fur is Murder" banner – overlooking Macy's.

     – In Beverly Hills, 7 activists have occupied the front entrance of an
exclusive "Rodeo Drive" furrier (Fendi Furs) with more than 100 activists
participating. Arrests are expected.
     
     Other actions are expected in key metropolitan cities, including direct
actions in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas,
Salt Lake City, Portland, Minneapolis, Boston, Beverly Hills, Detroit,
Seattle, Indianapolis, Orlando, Salt Lake City, Waikiki, Las Vegas,
Washington D.C., Long Island, Cincinnati, Boston, Syracuse, Madison,
Atlantic City, Hartford, San Diego, Phoenix, and Tucson.

     The primary target of the massive demonstration will be Federated Dept.
Stores, the multi-billion dollar chain that owns Macy's, Lazarus,
Bloomingdale's and 400 stores nationwide. Fur speciality stores and other
chains like Neiman Marcus are also targeted.

     -30-

Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 15:40:42 -0500
From: allen schubert 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US) FFF - Texas
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19971128154039.00717134@pop3.clark.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

from CNN http://www.cnn.com
------------------------------
Texas State News
Reuters
28-NOV-97

Animal Rights Activities Planned

(STATEWIDE) -- This is Fur Free Friday... the annual day of protest by
animal rights activists. Don Barnes of the San Antonio chapter of Voice for
Animals says it no longer makes sense to wear fur or any animal skins,
given the kind of warm materials available today. Barnes says there will be
protests today at shopping malls and fur outlets around Texas. He says fur
is nothing more than a status symbol and it's unconscionable for animals to
suffer for human vanity. 
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 15:44:04 -0500
From: allen schubert 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US) Anti-fur protesters take over crane outside Macy's  
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19971128154402.0071a79c@pop3.clark.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

from Mercury Center http://www.sjmercury.com/news/breaking/
----------------------------
Posted at 10:31 a.m. PST Friday, November 28, 1997

Anti-fur protesters take over crane outside Macy's           

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Anti-fur demonstrators kicked
off a month of events aimed at retailers during the
holiday buying season by occupying a crane
overlooking Macy's and Union Square today.

The protest was one of many taking place at major
department stores in cities across the United
States for ``Fur Free Friday,'' held each year on
the first official shopping day of the Christmas
season.

This year, activists plan to continue blockading
stores throughout the holiday period, said Chres
Vellucci of Animal Rights Direct Action Coalition.

The groups involved want an end to the use of
leghold traps and the sale of animal fur. They say
40 million animals die each year for use in fur
garments.

In San Francisco, five activists climbed the
175-foot crane -- part of a construction project at
the store -- unfurled a giant banner saying, ``Fur
Is Murder,'' then locked themselves to the crane.

They planned to stay for days if necessary,
organizers said.

Date: Sat, 29 Nov 1997 08:36:27 +1100
From: Lynette Shanley 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: The Lost Ark
Message-ID: <3.0.1.32.19971129083627.00a39614@lisp.com.au>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I am after a copy of The Lost Ark by Karl Shuker. It went out of print
approx 2 years ago and I have been searching second hand book shops but
can't find a copy. Will pay if someone finds a copy and pay postage. It
sold in Australia for approx $35.00. 


Lynette Shanley
International Primate Protection League - Australia
PO Box 60
PORTLAND  NSW  2847
AUSTRALIA
Phone/Fax 02 63554026/61 2 63 554026
EMAIL ippl@lisp.com.au
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 16:36:28 -0500 (EST)
From: NOVENAANN@aol.com
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: US offer looks likely to end EU fur dispute
Message-ID: <971128163628_2095436169@mrin45.mail.aol.com>

BRUSSELS, Belgium (Reuters) - The United States has made a last-minute offer
on the trapping of fur animals that looks likely to avert an imminent
European Union ban on U.S. fur imports, EU diplomats said Friday. 

The EU ban will take effect Monday unless the United States and European
Union reach agreement on ending the use of steel-jawed leghold traps to catch
animals such as mink, otters and wolves. 

The EU wants to outlaw the practice, which it says is cruel. Its threat of a
ban on U.S. fur imports had raised fears of a trade war. 

The United States on Friday offered to phase out the use of steel-jawed
leghold traps within six years, EU diplomats said. 

That was shorter than the eight years proposed by Washington this week and
rejected by the EU, which wanted the United States to phase out the traps
over five years. 

U.S. officials in Brussels could not immediately be reached for comment. 

The European Commission presented the new U.S. proposal to representatives of
its 15 member states at a meeting Friday and recommended acceptance, the EU
diplomats said. 

EU representatives were consulting their governments and were scheduled to
meet again Monday morning when the U.S. proposal was likely to be accepted,
the diplomats said. 

``There is a fairly large probability that it will go through,'' one EU
diplomat said. 

If the offer is accepted Monday, the commission will sign it and tell
European Customs agencies not to stop imports of American furs, EU diplomats
said. 

Settlement of the fur dispute would remove a thorny issue at an EU-U.S.
summit to be held in Washington Dec. 5. 

Russia and Canada have already agreed to outlaw some of the traps by the year
2000. 

Critics of the traps say they do not kill the animals outright but often
break their legs and imprison them until they drown, starve or bleed to
death. 

Washington has said that the EU's demands would jeopardize the livelihood of
trappers. U.S. fur exports to Europe are worth about $20 million a year. 
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 17:57:16 -0500
From: joemiele 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: FFF in New Jersey
Message-ID: <3.0.5.32.19971128175716.007aa610@qed.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Today's Fur Free Friday events sponsored by the New Jersey Animal Rights
Alliance (NJARA) have been our most successfully coordinated anti-fur
actions in recent memory.

Public reaction to the protests and leafletings were overwhelmingly
positive from the two NJARA districts that have reported in.  

In Paramus, NJ, home to the largest shopping mall in the state and the 5th
largest in the country, activists saw only 2 fur jackets and 2 full length
furs being worn by the shoppers as they rushed through their holiday
shopping.  These sightings were recorded over a time span of about 2 hours.
 Each of these fur wearers were approached by activists and were alerted to
the cruelty that is a part of every fur coat.  

Clearly, the propaganda and hype being served to the public by the fur
industry is not convincing more people to wear or buy fur.  The fur
industry is hurting and their media blitz is the proof - they would not
have to try so hard if their product sold itself.  

"It is amazing how little fur is being worn today.  The only furs that I
saw were on people in Nieman Marcus (an "upscale" department store). I
certainly thought there would be more people to approach and educate about
the fur trade." said Cara Thorsen, and activist who joined NJARA in their
Fur Free Friday events.  "I'm in no way disappointed though." 


For more information and to find out about upcoming events please e-mail
NJARA at:  

     njara@superlink.net


For information on NJARA's Fur Action Task Force and upcoming Task Force
events please E-mail Joe Miele at: 

     veegman@qed.net



()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
()()()()()()()()()()

No one can do everything but everyone can do something.

          GET ACTIVE!!!   ACTIVISM WORKS!!!

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
()()()()()()()()()()


Visit NJARA's web page!

http://www.envirolink.org/orgs/njara/index.html


Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 15:30:58 -0800 (PST)
From: civillib@cwnet.com
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: 60 ARRESTED IN U.S. ANTI-FUR ACTIONS
Message-ID: <199711282330.PAA27127@smtp.cwnet.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit

URGENT NEWS ADVISORY Update #3 (3 p.m. PST)
November 28, 1997


Contact: CAFT  916/452-7179




59 ARRESTED, SOME INJURED IN MILITANT ANTI-FUR PROTESTS;
SF MACY'S CRANE ‘OCCUPIED'

     At least 52 activists were arrested -- including 7 in San Francisco -- and
some were injured Friday during an estimated 100 separate demonstrations
against the sale of animal furs, and the leghold trap, on a day dubbed "Fur
Free Friday" across the U.S.

     – In Dallas, 10 anti-fur activists were arrested – and several had to be
sent to jail hospitals for treatment of minor injuries – after police
overreacted and began beating demonstrators opposed to the sale of fur at
the Neiman Marcus flagship store. There were about 80 protestors overall.

     – In Minneapolis, 18 were arrested after they locked onto a Neiman Marcus sign.

     – In Long Island (Garden City, NY), 13 activists were arrested early today
after they locked themselves together at the main entrance to a Macy's
mega-store. 

     – In Eatonville, NJ, 2 activists were arrested for blocking the entrance to
Macy's.

     – In Atlanta, 2 activists were arrested for disrupting sales at York Furs.

     – In San Francisco, there have been 8 arrests so far when activists
blockaded the entrance to a Neiman Marcus, while others scaled a 175-foot
crane – and dropped a "Fur is Murder" banner – overlooking Macy's. More
arrests are anticipated.

     – In Beverly Hills, 7 activists were arrested -- and one was hospitalized
after a seizure following use of police "pain holds" -- after blocking the
front entrance of an exclusive "Rodeo Drive" furrier (Fendi Furs) with more
than 100 activists participating.
     
     Other actions are expected in key metropolitan cities, including direct
actions in New York, Chicago, Dallas, Salt Lake City, Portland, Beverly
Hills, Detroit, Seattle, Indianapolis, Orlando, Salt Lake City, Waikiki, Las
Vegas, Washington D.C., Long Island, Cincinnati, Boston, Syracuse, Madison,
Atlantic City, Hartford, San Diego, Phoenix, and Tucson.

Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 18:52:08 -0500 (EST)
From: LMANHEIM@aol.com
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Fwd: Fishermen Blamed for Oyster Illness
Message-ID: <971128185208_289782150@mrin79>

Subj:     Fishermen Blamed for Oyster Illness
Date:     97-11-28 16:24:29 EST
From:     AOL News
BCC: LMANHEIM

Fishermen Blamed for Oyster Illness

.c The Associated Press

 By TARA MEYER

ATLANTA (AP) - Oyster fishermen who dumped human waste into
Louisiana coastal waters are likely to blame for an outbreak of
stomach illness that made at least 179 oyster-eaters sick last
winter, the government said Friday.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention launched an
investigation after people who ate oysters became sick last
December and January in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and
Mississippi.

The tainted oysters were traced to several retailers, wholesalers
and fishermen, a clue that they were contaminated before they
reached shore. The CDC ruled out recreational boaters as the
source, saying they were infrequent in December, and found that
some fishermen frequently dumped their own waste overboard.

The president of the Louisiana Oyster Dealers and Growers
Association said recreational boaters should not have been ruled
out and that fishermen were ``an easy target.''

``But I will definitely accept some blame,'' said Al Sunseri.
``It's not like we want these outbreaks to happen. Anytime you have
an outbreak like this, it's bad publicity.''

People who work on oyster boats and oil rigs are supposed to store
their waste in a sealed container and dump it in a sewage facility
at a marina. Oyster boats often use private docks that don't have
sewage stations, and many public marinas don't either. The
temptation is to just dump the waste overboard.

Since the outbreak, Sunseri's group has handed out brochures about
waste disposal to people in the oyster industry. The state has also
set aside money to build more sewage stations.

Oysters are excellent filters. Water flows through an oyster, but
contaminants can be trapped. The CDC says a small amount of feces
can taint a large amount of the shellfish.

Most of the people who fell ill ate the oysters raw. Health
authorities caution that cooking oysters is not a foolproof way of
avoiding illness, because the virus isn't necessarily killed by
ordinary cooking methods.

In 1993, 203 people got sick from oysters linked to an ill
fisherman who dumped his feces into the water. A malfunctioning
sewage system on an oil rig was to blame for an earlier 1996
outbreak that made 74 people ill, the CDC said.

AP-NY-11-28-97 1556EST 
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 16:33:31 -0800 (PST)
From: civillib@cwnet.com
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: FFF ARRESTS: NOW 63 TOTAL
Message-ID: <199711290033.QAA00302@smtp.cwnet.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

FFF UPDATE:

The total is now 63 arrested during anti-fur protests. No word on injuries
in Beverly Hills, but the Dallas people are OK. Most people, except for
juveniles, are still in jail. Some are being charged with felonies.

By city, as reported:

San Francisco (8)
Beverly Hills (8)
Minneapolis (18)
Dallas (10)
Atlanta (2)
Long Island (13)
Albany (2)
Eatonville, NJ (2)

cres

Date: Sat, 29 Nov 1997 10:21:33 +0800
From: bunny 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Australia-Deadly rabbit virus baits proposed
Message-ID: <1.5.4.16.19971129101504.113f3c9a@wantree.com.au>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Many rabbits and other animals are at risk of deliberate
infection with a new deadly virus here in AUstralia
due to a proposal to coat baits with the virus (RCD/RHD - rabbit hemorrhagic
disease)

Please address and sign the letter below 
which asks for a full public
consultation and disclosure to be allowed by the 
National Registration Authority
for chemical and veterinary products in Australia
of the proposed intended request for proposed
legalisation of deadly Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease 
coated baits by vested interests/agricultural persons in Australia.
Because the NRA has already approved the deadly live virus in injectable
form only
(rabbits have to be trapped, injected and re-released) they may not allow
public consultation on this matter.
The ingestion (by eating) of deadly live RHD/RCD coated baits
by the many different species that live here could have untold deadly
present or future consequences on any RHD susceptible species.
This proposed new product is UNIQUE and NOVEL and should be treated as such
and therefore full disclosure and public consultation should be allowed by
the NRA.
THIS IS A WORLD FIRST IN THE USE OF AN IMPORTED DEADLY DISEASE AS A
CONTROL
OF ANY SPECIES
IN BAIT FORM.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Kind regards, Marguerite Wegner

P.S. this letter should fit on to an A4 piece of paper. If you can't air
mail or fax the letter,
please add your name and address to the top right hand corner and email me
and I will print out your letter and send it from where I live in Western
Australia.

****************************************************************************


The Chief Executive Officer,                                      
National Registration Authority,

P.O.Box E240,        
Kingston,
ACT , Australia 2604
Fax (06) 272.4753 Int. +61 6 272.4753
28th November 1997

Dear Madam/Sir,

I am aware that the NRA may be in the process of considering the licensing
of RCD/RHD coated baits for use in Australia.The RCD/RHD baits are a unique
and novel product, very different from the RCD/RHD injectable virus which is
currently the only lawful product available for the deliberate spread of
RCD/RHD in Australia. I demand full disclosure of the nature and make-up of
the RCD/RHD baits and that full public consultation be allowed in the
consideration process of allowing or disallowing the approval for use in
Australia by the NRA of RCD/RHD coated baits.

4 out of 5 major calicivirus groups are already known to infect humans and
no guarantees can be given that RHD/RCD will never infect any other species.
Any proposal to deliberately increase the levels of RCD/RHD in the
environment must be scrutinized extremely carefully and independently. If
evidence exists that non-target species may be put at risk by the deliberate
use of such baits, the approval of the RCD baits should be disallowed by the
NRA.

Further facts concerning the RCD/RHD virus are as follows:

1. The origins (mutation or non-rabbit host) of RHD in China in 1984 remain
unknown. 

2. The genetic determinants and mechanisms resulting in a rapid and bloody
RHD induced death are unknown. 

3. The modes of RHD transmission across ocean channels and between
continents are unknown. 

4. The mechanisms of RHD transmission, which is sometimes rapid and
sometimes leap-frog (hundreds of
kilometers), are unknown. 

5. The reason for failure of RHD to transmit even under contact conditions
in fenced enclosures (Wardang Island)
are unknown. 

6. The host range of RHD is virtually certain to extend well beyond rabbits
(Geelong experiment showing 2-17 fold
antibody increases in 11 test species using purported subimmunogenic virus
doses) but remains unknown. 

7. Diagnostic reagents for RHD lack the specificity and sensitivity to carry
out adequate epidemiologic assays,
particularly in non-rabbit species including humans. 

8. RHD vaccines for rabbits in Spain are reported over time to have become
less protective. 

9. RHD vaccines are not available to protect any non-rabbit species at risk,
including humans. 

10. RHD has not been shown (using proven and acceptable scientific methods)
to be caused by a calicivirus alone;
therefore, the infectious makeup of RHD is unknown. 

11. RHD cannot be propagated in cell culture. Yet, that was a stated
essential CSIRO requirement to be met
before infectivity studies were to be carried out (1994 BRS report). 

12. RHD may have already impacted human health (see Dr. Cherrys' Report
submission to the NZ Government MAF authority)and the extent of the
suspected threat to human health is unknown. 

13. In Australia, RHD is uncontrollable, unpredictable, and often unreliable
as a rabbit control agent.

I demand a full and open public consideration process to be allowed by the
NRA in considering the approval/disapproval of the licensing of RCD/RHD
baits as a veterinary chemical product in Australia.

Regards, 

___________________________________
===========================================

Rabbit Information Service,
P.O.Box 30,
Riverton,
Western Australia 6148

Email>  rabbit@wantree.com.au

http://www.wantree.com.au/~rabbit/rabbit.htm
(Rabbit Information Service website updated frequently)

     /`\   /`\
    (/\ \-/ /\)
       )6 6(
     >{= Y =}<
      /'-^-'\
     (_)   (_)
      |  .  |
      |     |}
 jgs  \_/^\_/









Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 21:59:04 -0500 (EST)
From: NOVENAANN@aol.com
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: House of Commons Nixes Fox-Hunting
Message-ID: <971128215904_787185186@mrin47>

House of Commons Nixes Fox-Hunting

.c The Associated Press

 By ROBERT BARR

LONDON (AP) - Ignoring the pleas of rural hunt lovers gathered outside with
their hounds, the House of Commons sided with animal rights activists Friday
and voted overwhelmingly to ban the hunting of foxes and other wildlife.

The bill passed its second reading, 411-151, after impassioned debate. But
the legislation may still be killed by Prime Minister Tony Blair - who says
he supports the ban but has not provided time on the parliamentary agenda for
it to clear all hurdles necessary for final passage.

The prime minister's office said Friday that Blair had other priorities,
especially promoting legislation on education. Nonetheless, the strong vote
will add to pressure on the government to ease passage of the bill, which
also would ban hunting of deer, hare and mink.

To many, the issue reflects a fundamental divide: urbanites opposed to
hunting versus close-to-the-land country dwellers.

About 150 country sports supporters held a 24-hour vigil outside Westminster
Palace with their dogs to protest the proposed ban. Protesters waved placards
and chanted: ``Listen to Us!'' as they spent the cold night on the streets.

Even stronger sentiment against the hunting ban was felt outside London,
where hunters resolutely went on pursuing foxes on the day of the vote.

Hunters carry on their autumn and winter pursuit of the fox, over fences and
hedgerows, along lanes and across fields. Dressed in scarlet or black
jackets, they create one of the most evocative images of upper crust English
country life, but the sport has long had its critics.

In the 1890s, playwright Oscar Wilde called it ``the unspeakable in full
pursuit of the uneatable.''

Supporters say the hunt performs the necessary function of culling foxes -
which is important to farmers, and is no longer the sport just of the
wealthy. They say 27,000 jobs, including game keeping and saddle making,
depend on hunting.

All parties allowed members to vote as they pleased on the issue, departing
from the normal practice of enforcing a party line.

Mike Foster, the Labor lawmaker who sponsored the bill, said the intention is
``to protect wild mammals from cruelty and from the unnecessary pain and
suffering inflicted in the name of a so-called sport.''

``It is accepted that foxes can be a nuisance but certainly the answer is not
to send a pack of hounds down the local high street,'' Foster said.

Hunt supporters argued that the bill not only would cost jobs, but that it
discriminated against the traditions of the countryside.

``The freedom of the individual to hunt with hounds is no different in
principle from the freedom of each individual to or not to: fish, shoot, eat
meat, use tobacco, drink, gamble or worship, as he or she chooses,'' said Sir
Brian Mawhinney, a Conservative lawmaker.

Tory lawmaker John Gummer said the bill violated the ``predatory chain'' of
nature. ``The fox has its own animals which it is a predator of, but we are
the predator upon the fox, and we need, therefore, within that predatory
chain, to carry out our role,'' Gummer said.

Conservative lawmaker Alan Clark, normally a supporter of protecting animals,
especially opposed proposals to punish violators of the pending hunting ban
with jail terms. Under the bill, huntsmen and those who allow hunting with
dogs on their land would be liable to maximum sentences of six months and
fines of up to $8,400.

AP-NY-11-28-97 1714EST
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 22:32:40 -0500
From: allen schubert 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US) Anti-Fur Protest in U.S.
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19971128223236.0071892c@pop3.clark.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

from AP http://wire.ap.org/
----------------------------------------
 11/28/1997 20:04 EST

 Anti-Fur Protest in U.S.

 By KARYN HUNT
 Associated Press Writer

 SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Anti-fur protesters stepped up their tactics during
 the annual ``Fur Free Friday'' protest, occupying a construction crane
 outside a department store and threatening to stay indefinitely.

 The protest is staged in cities across the country every November on the
 day after Thanksgiving, the busiest shopping day of the year. But this
 year's marks a change -- it's no longer a one-day event. Activists
 promised a month's worth of actions to last through the holiday season
 and at least one, the crane occupation, could continue for days.

 There were 62 protests Friday, including demonstrations in New York, Los
 Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago and Boston, according to Chris Vellucci of
 Animal Rights Direct Action Coalition.

 In San Francisco, five protesters climbed a crane at a Macy's
 construction site on Union Square at 5 a.m. Friday and unfurled a banner
 saying ``Fur Is Murder.''

 They planned to stay until at least one of two demands were met: That the
 city outlaw sales of fur or that Macy's stop selling it on its own,
 organizers said.

 ``We're trying to let people know that it's unacceptable killing animals
 for clothes -- fur especially because it's all about vanity. There's no
 function behind it at all,'' protester Nicole Brodsky, 25, said.

 Meanwhile, three other demonstrators locked hands inside metal sleeves to
 block one of the entrances to nearby Neiman Marcus. That forced
 firefighters to use a blowtorch to cut through the metal and remove them
 for arrest.

 Five more were arrested for blocking the sidewalk and other minor
 infractions as tourists milled around, sniping, ``Go back to China'' or
 ``What about your leather shoes?''

 As metal sparks and acrid smoke rose around the three prostrate
 protesters, another 75 to 100 demonstrators lined Union Square across the
 street, waving signs and chanting ``How did you kill your fur today?
 Gassing? Trapping? Anal electrocution?''

 One of them, dressed in a red fox costume, paced in a cage next to a pile
 of bloody furs. Signs proclaimed, ``Buy a fur and slip into something
 dead'' and ``Fashion shouldn't cost an arm and a leg.''

 Women in fake furs strolled by, saying nothing.

 One Neiman Marcus spokeswoman said the annual protest is annoying.

 ``We deal with this every year,'' said Cynthia Coleman. ``Any disruption
 is annoying. The customers get angry at the protesters. They don't get
 angry at the store.''

 Ann Shay, 60, out for an afternoon of shopping, echoed that sentiment.

 ``We have a huge police presence here and that's costing the taxpayers a
 lot of money,'' she said. ``Nobody wears fur in San Francisco. Why don't
 they go someplace else?''

 Anti-fur protesters did show up in other places where fur is a more
 common sight. On Beverly Hills' glitzy Rodeo Drive, seven protesters who
 linked arms inside metal pipes to blockade the Fendi store were separated
 by bolt cutters and arrested.

Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 23:45:14 -0500
From: allen schubert 
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US) Fur protesters greet shoppers 
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19971128234512.0071bc58@pop3.clark.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit

from MS-NBC http://www.msnbc.com/news/126671.asp
------------------------------------------------
New York police carry away an anti-fur protester, one of several who had
chained themselves together in front of a 5th Avenue fur storeFriday.

Fur protesters greet shoppers 

Activists demonstrate in San Francisco, New York
REUTER
                   
SAN FRANCISCO — Five animal rights activists took over a 175-foot crane
near Macy’s in San Francisco Friday and unfurled a banner declaring “Fur is
Murder,” while 22 anti-fur activists in Manhattan were arrested for
protesting outside tony midtown stores.

  “...Nearly 40 million
      animals are killed by
      neck-breaking, anal
      electrocution and
      suffocation every year
      for vanity.” 
      — 
      Statement by the Animal Rights Direct
      Action Coalition 

ORGANIZERS IN San Francisco said the protest marked “Fur Free Friday” at
the start of the Christmas shopping season and the launch of a new national
campaign against leg hold animal traps and the sale of animal fur. 

Police were at the scene, but no arrests were reported.

A statement issued by the Animal Rights Direct Action Coalition said the
primary focus of the new anti-fur campaign would be Federated Department
Stores, which owns several major chains including Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s. 

“Fur sales are on the downward trend, but still nearly 40 million animals
are killed by neck-breaking, anal electrocution and suffocation every year
for vanity,” a coalition statement said.  

In Manhattan, 22 anti-fur activists from the group Friends of Animals were
arrested at demonstrations outside of Saks Fifth Avenue and the Revillo Fur
Co. in midtown, police said. 

The protest began at Saks, near Rockefeller Center, as about 300
demonstrators began a march up Fifth Ave. Eight of them sat down in front
of Revillo, blocking the entrance. 

As police moved into to remove them, two vans pulled up and 14 people bound
together got off, sat down in a circle and refused to move. Police arrested
the eight without incident but emergency services officers were needed to
take the group of 14 into custody.  

The protesters were charged with trespassing, criminal trespassing and
obstructing governmental administration. 


ARRS Tools  |  News  |  Orgs  |  Search  |  Support  |  About the ARRS  |  Contact ARRS

THIS SITE UNDERWRITTEN IN PART BY:
Go Organic

The views and opinions expressed within this page are not necessarily those of the
EnviroLink Network nor the Underwriters. The views are those of the authors of the work.