Largest Fur Feed Supplier in the Country Goes Up in Flames

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Utah Fur Breeders Co-op burns down for the second time.

A fire broke out at the country’s largest fur feed supplier around 10:30 AM Monday. The fire raged out of control until 2pm and was not fully extinguished for many hours. The building was reported as “heavily damaged”.

The fire has tentatively been ruled accidental. This is the second time the Utah Fur Breeder’s Cooperative in suburban Salt Lake City has burned down. In the first, the Animal Liberation Front took credit in 1997 for planting explosives and incendiary devices in the building and doing over $1,000,000 damages.

There has been no damage estimate, though photos of the building show a large portion of the building to be destroyed.

The business is reportedly out of commission for the moment, leaving Utah farmers desperate to formulate feed that will maintain a quality of pelt needed to stay in business.

Significant target

The feed supplier is among the most significant lynchpins in the US fur industry. Last year I turned up a 2001 newspaper article in the Salt Lake City library, illustrating how important this supplier is to the survival of the country’s second largest fur farming state. The article covered a lawsuit brought by two mink farmers, who claimed that the feed supplier was so crucial to their business, when it stopped delivering to their town, both farms were forced to close.

After initial suspicions the fire was the work of the ALF, it has been blamed on a welder working in the roof.

Experimental fur farm closed?

One interesting item came out in the news reports: the feed supplier (again, reportedly) no longer has an experimental fur farm on site. For decades, the business has had an on-site farm lab where new feed formulations were tested. The farm portion itself was twice targeted by the ALF in the mid-1990s. However, news reports state that there were no animals on the property at the time of the fire.

Frequent ALF target

Because of its significance, the Fur Breeders Cooperative has been targeted numerous times by the Animal Liberation Front. In addition to the 1997 bombing, there have been two mink liberations from the experimental fur farm, and one attempted arson. In Dean Kuiper’s book “Operation Bite Back“, he gives a detailed account of the attempted arson by Rod Coronado, who attempted to burn the building down by himself in 1991 after entering through the roof. The incendiary device failed to ignite.

Most recently, activists in Salt Lake City staged a protest at the building in spring of 2010. Local police were sued after they gave the activists an unlawful order to disperse, and were ordered to pay protesters and lawyers over $30,000.

Later this week I will be posting a photo gallery of images from the fire.

– Peter Young

 

 

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Support Shirts for Pair Accused of Attempted Fur Farm Break-In

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Funds needed for Kellie and Victor VanOrden, accused of an attempted mink liberation in Iowa.

Victor and Kellie were arrested in October near Circle K mink and fox farm in Sioux City, Iowa. Police allegedly found a hole cut in the fence and the two dressed in black, and a search of their vehicle turned up more items deemed suspicious. The two were charged with attempting to release animals from the farm.

Another (approximately) $7,500 is needed in the next month to pay attorney fees. Getting the best possible outcome in difficult cases requires the best possible defense. Your donations can literally buy freedom for an animal liberation prisoner.

These awesome shirts have been printed to raise money for Victor and Kellie. Please click on the image to purchase. (If you don’t see the size you want, email curedollyyy@aol.com and ask about availability)

The two desperately need money to fight their case and keep them from a lengthy prison sentence, and all funds from t-shirts will go to their defense.

Here is a synopsis of the current state of their case, from their support group:

“Victor and Kellie have pleaded “not guilty” but the chances of all charges being dropped is slim to none. If convicted, the ideal situation would be that their plea agreement would consist of two of the four charges being dropped. If this is indeed what happens on January 24th, then they will be sentenced to approximately 12-18 months in prison. The longer their lawyers can work on the case the more likely their sentencing time will be drastically reduced (i.e. some of the charges will be dropped).”

Victor and Kellie and accused of attempting to liberate the captives of an atrocious mink and fox factory farm (as I can testify from visiting this farm myself in 1997), with 5,000 captives. It is the obligation of those who are not putting themselves on the frontlines to support those who are.

Read background and updates on their case at the Support Victor and Kellie site. There is a Pay Pal link to donate, and other ways you can help.

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ALF / ELF Prisoner Justin Solondz Pleads Guilty to Arson

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Five years since being indicted, Justin Solondz has pleaded guilty to making the incendiary devices used to burn down the University of Washington Center for Urban Horticulture. The fire was claimed by the Earth Liberation Front.

Solondz was also charged with the 2001 arson at a Susanville, CA BLM wild horse corral, claimed by the Animal Liberation Front. It was not immediately clear if his guilty plea resolved that charge as well.

He expects a seven-year prison sentence as part of a deal with prosecutors. Sentencing is set for March 16.

Solonz was indicted in 2006 along with 17 others as part of the “Operation Backfire” indictment (also called “The Green Scare” case), which brought charges for 17 ALF and ELF arsons going back to 1996.

As a fugitive, he was arrested in China on what allegedly were drug charges. Solondz spent 2.5 years in a Chinese prison, before being extradited to the United States. Earlier this year, his former girlfriend and co-defendant Briana Waters agreed to testify against him in exchange for a lenient sentence.

Three people charged in Operation Backfire remain fugitives.

– Peter Young

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Activists Arrested in Dallas for Throwing Fake Blood on Store

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Two activists have been arrested for alleged vandalism at Neiman Marcus

On November 25th, two men were arrested for allegedly throwing red paint on a Neiman Marcus store, which sells fur. Damages were reported at $3,000.

Mathew Kirk Markovitch, 22, and Zechariah Thomas Vasquez, 19 were arrested at a protest for the alleged vandalism. There is no information about how long they spent in jail, or if they are seeking support. They are charged with “criminal mischief”.

– Peter Young

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Anti-ALF Spokesperson Teresa Platt Leaves Fur Commission USA

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Platt’s career as fur industry’s primary anti-Animal Liberation Front PR person ends.

Since 1998, Teresa Platt has been the fur industry’s main mouthpiece and media spokesperson on all things related to the Animal Liberation Front. During her tenure as public relations person for the Fur Commission USA, the ALF raided over 50 fur farms. Platt’s spoke frequently to the media about these actions. Her stock responses, quoted widely in the wake of ALF actions, included that released mink die from exposure, die from starvation, or that most get hit by cars.

Platt’s other work to fight the ALF included organizing the FCUSA’s “Neighborhood Watch” program to protect fur farms from the ALF, compiling dossiers on hundreds of activists for access by law enforcement, and organizing rewards for those who give information leading to the conviction of anyone for a fur-related ALF action.

Another notorious anti-animal rights figure (and the man credited for coining the term “eco-terrorism”) Ron Arnold credited Platt with-

“…assisting law enforcement officials to understand the complex network of criminal activists that attack various industries to forward ideological agendas, work that more than once put her life in danger.”

Reportedly Platt left the Fur Commission USA after the board elected to shift its budget away from public relations, and towards “farmer programs”.

Platt’s predecessor, Marsha Kelly, left the organization after her home address was published in The Final Nail #2.

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Court Affirms 10 Month Sentence for Grand Jury Resister

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Jordan Halliday must spend 10 months in prison for refusing testimony to a grand jury investigating the ALF.

An appellate court has upheld the 10 month sentence given to Jordan Halliday for his refusal to talk to a grand jury seeking indictments for Animal Liberation Front mink releases in Utah. Halliday must now serve the remainder of his 10 month sentence.

In late-winter 2009, Jordan Halliday received a subpoena compelling him to testify. Grand juries generally do not disclose the crimes they are investigating, but it became clear they were seeking indictments for two 2008 mink releases in Utah that had been claimed by the Animal Liberation Front. The grand jury would later indict Alex Hall and William Viehl for one of the actions – a release of 650 mink from a fur farm in South Jordan, Utah.

Halliday entered into the grand jury room on the date he was ordered to appear, but refused to answer their questions. In addition to questions about the ALF mink releases, he was asked questions outside the scope of the investigation, and it was clear the grand jury was being used as a fishing expedition to gather information on the animal rights movement in Utah.

It was not immediately clear when Halliday must report to prison. More details will be posted when available.

– Peter Young

Learn about how to best respond to a grand jury subpoena by reading If An Agent Knocks by the Center for Constitutional Rights.

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After ALF Closes Horse Slaughterhouse, Plant May Return

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Congress reverses federal ban on horse slaughterhouses, plans for new slaughterhouses in a dozen states.

Last week, Congress lifted the federal ban on horse slaughterhouses. In 1997, the Animal Liberation Front burned down one of the country’s only horse slaughterhouses, in Redmond, Oregon. The plant was forced to permanently close, and only three horse slaughterhouses remained. Soon after, one of the three – a slaughterhouse in Illinois – also went up in flames.

In 2006, Congress ended funding for government inspections at U.S. facilities that slaughtered horses for export, effectively outlawing horse slaughterhouses in the US and shutting down the remaining two. Last week’s move reversed the ban and laid the ground for horse slaughterhouses to reopen in the US.

With this move from Congress, it was reported a horse slaughterhouse would reopen in Oregon. It was not immediately clear if the new slaughterhouse would be built by Cavel West, the company that owned the plant burned down by the Animal Liberation Front in 1997.

Additional slaughterhouses may also be opening in: Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Georgia, Missouri, and four other states.

We can hope activists unafraid to use ALF tactics will be watching these new slaughterhouse constructions closely.

– Peter Young

 

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Lawsuit Filed to Strike Down the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act

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Constitutionality of the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act challenged in federal court

Fantastic work from the Center For Constitutional Freedom: last week, they filed a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act. The lawsuit, filed by four animal rights activists, asserts that the activist’s fourth amendment rights were violated by allowing the government to prosecute peaceful protesters as “terrorists”.

Plaintiff Sarahjane Blum said,

“I spent years uncovering conditions on foie gras farms and educating the public about the way ducks and geese are abused,” said Blum. “I no longer feel free to speak my mind on these issues out of fear that my advocacy could actually convince people to stop eating foie gras – affecting those businesses’ bottom line and turning me into an animal enterprise terrorist.”

The Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act has only been applied a handful of times, most notably against four California activists dubbed “The AETA 4”. In that case, activists were prosecuted on federal terrorism charges for holding demonstrations at animal researcher’s homes. The case was dismissed over a year ago.

This is great news in the fight against one of the biggest threats against both activists and the US constitution.

 

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Fugitive No Longer Sought in Western Mass, FBI Says

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FBI announces they are no longer looking for fugitive near Northmapton, MA.

In a post last month, I covered the FBI’s announcement that animal liberation fugitive Daniel Andreas San Diego may be in western Massachusetts.

This week, the FBI announced they no longer believe San Diego is in the Northampton area. In the past, the FBI has made similar announcements placing San Diego in Costa Rica, and Virgina.

Daniel Andreas San Diego is wanted for his alleged role in bombings at two HLS-related targets.

– Peter Young

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Speaking Monday @ Oberlin College

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Quick note to mention I will be returning to Oberlin College to give a talk this Monday, December 5th. The talk is sponsored by Oberlin Animal Rights. Here are the details:

When:

Mon, December 5 2011

7:30 PM

Where:

Science Center,Norman C. Craig ’53 Lecture Hall119 Woodland Street, Oberlin, OH 44074Oberlin website event page:

http://new.oberlin.edu/calendar/index.dot?id=3707245

Facebook event page:

http://www.facebook.com/events/316863694995550/

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Speaking Monday @ University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee

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I’ll be speaking this Monday, November 28th, in the Fireside Lounge at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.

Really happy to be returning to Wisconsin after the federal probation office banned me from the entire state during my probation term (I’m off probation now). The events I’ve done in Wisconsin have always been eventful, with the Fur Commission USA (reportedly) contacting the federal probation office in advance of a previous UW-Milwaukee talk (forcing its cancellation), and fur farmers showing up en masse at my Beloit College talk. The latter resulted in a heavy police presence and the school requesting I hide in a side room before my talk, and exit to a waiting car immediately after its conclusion.

Expecting less drama at Monday’s talk. Here are the details:

University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee campus
Fireside Lounge
11/28/2011
6 pm – 10 pm

Sponsored by:
VIVE – Vegan Interest, Vegan Education

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Happy Thanksgiving: 16 Turkeys in Rescued in Vermont

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Days before Thanksgiving, 16 turkeys and two geese are liberated from a Vermont farm.

In a communique received by the North American Animal Liberation Press Office, the Animal Rights Militia claimed responsibility for liberating 16 turkeys and two geese from a Vermont farm. This is the second liberation from the farm, with the first occurring one year ago, just before Thanksgiving. 20 turkeys were rescued in that action.

In addition to the animals liberated, the ARM took credit for these acts of sabotage:

*Cutting power to lights

*Removing two security cameras

*”disabling” two ATVs

The communique reads in full:

“During the early morning hours of November 16, VTARM members liberated 16 turkeys and 2 geese from a road side holding pen. The same location had been visited the previous year. Power to the lights surrounding the outside holding pen was cut by the security team and two cameras installed after last year’s visit were removed. The extraction team utilizing NVGs cut the fence and liberated 16 turkeys. In addition the security team disabled 2 ATVs and liberated 2 geese located during the visit. In all the operation took less than 10 minutes. We enjoyed our visit “farmer Bob” now consider yourself out of business, you don’t want us coming back for a third time. We will use whatever means necessary to liberate animals, prevent cruelty and punish those who commit acts of cruelty. This liberation is dedicated to Walter Bond and all of the other political prisoners: you are in our thoughts and actions every day, thank you and happy thanksgiving!”

 

 

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Animal Liberators Take Credit for September Mink Release in Oregon

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Communique for the liberation of 300 mink from an Astoria, Oregon fur farm

This week, the North American Animal Liberation Press Office received a communique in which anonymous activists took credit for a September 24th mink release in Oregon.

The past 3 years, mink liberations have surged in Oregon. This was the fourth mink liberation in the Astoria area alone in the past three years. In July 2010, the Animal Liberation Front took credit for setting fire to to several vehicles and a barn at the Ylipelto Fur Farm , also in Astoria. October 4, 2009 saw another 300 mink released from the same location, which was also the site of the release of 1,500 mink in 2008.

The communique reads:
On the evening of September 24, we visited the mink farm on Savola Road in the outskirts of Astoria, Oregon, cutting holes in their fences before making our way through their sheds and opening cages.

Capitalism is cancerous and deadly to every life it comes into contact with. We’re not interested in reforms and stall tactics, nor in the continuance of a culture that views lives as an economic resource.

On these cooling autumn nights we warm our fingers on the breeding records we took from your sheds and throw into our fire, and take comfort in seeing that some of us still have it in them to run into the wilderness beyond the fences.

For those whose sympathies lie with laws and commerce over lives, look around: retailers and restaurants are catching fire, windows are broken, tires slashed, and security costs are rising. Now might be a good time to consider another line of work.

This action was dedicated to the radical teachers, gardeners and foragers, to those embezzling from corporations, sharing indigenous skills, setting fires, molotoving cops, and all those working to challenge capitalism’s deathgrip in their own communities. Your work inspires us.

Fewer calls to action, more action.
The Gordon Shumway Brigade

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FBI Claims “New Lead” in Hunt for Fugitive Bombing Suspect

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At press conference, FBI says Daniel Andreas San Diego may be living in Massachusetts.

The TV show “America’s Most Wanted” says it received a tip that an animal research company bombing suspect may be living in Western Massachusetts. Daniel Andreas San Diego has been featured on the show three times, after being indicted in 2004 for two bombings at companies who do business with Huntingdon Life Sciences. He has been a fugitive for over 7 years.

In a press conference today, the FBI said it had received a “recent and current” tip that may place San Diego in MA, and sought the public’s help in capturing him.

San Diego is wanted for two actions:

The August 28, 2003, bombing of Chiron, a biotechnology corporation in Emeryville, California. Claimed by Revolutionary Cells – Animal Liberation Brigade.

The September 26, 2003, bombing of Shaklee, another HLS client in Pleasanton, California, also claimed by Revolutionary Cells – Animal Liberation Brigade.

If convicted of all charges, he faces a minimum 30-year federal prison sentence.

This is the third (by my count) time the FBI has publicly claimed they had “solid leads” on the whereabouts of San Diego. In the past 8 years, they have also placed him in Costa Rica and Virginia, but never made an arrest. Despite the massive amount of attention the FBI has kept on the case through press conferences, America’s Most Wanted segments, and placing San Diego on the “Most Wanted Terrorists” list, Daniel has succeeded in evading capture since 2004.

The FBI listed off features to look for in identifying San Diego, including that he “follows a vegan diet, eating no meat or food containing animal products.”

San Diego is the first US citizen added to the FBI’s list of “most wanted terrorists”. The actions he is accused of inflicted only relatively minor property damage to unoccupied buildings.

This would be a time to ask yourself where you would stand if someone fleeing a 30+ year prison sentence for trying to help animals showed up at your door tonight, seeking refuge. Remember there are humans out there right now being hunted, just as as non-human animals so often are.

Stay free,

Peter Young

 

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