Posted By: Mira Trapper
Injunction Granted against Animal Rights Group. - 04/24/08 02:31 AM
Torrance Daily Breeze
UCLA gets injunction against animal rights groups
04/23/2008 06:46:00 AM PDT
http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_9025470
Attorneys for UCLA on Tuesday obtained a preliminary injunction
against animal rights groups and activists accused of harassing
university researchers who conduct experiments using animals.
The injunction granted by Santa Monica Superior Court Judge Terry B.
Friedman extends and expands a temporary restraining order granted
Feb. 22, according to UCLA Chancellor Gene Block.
"This preliminary injunction is an important step in UCLA's ongoing
efforts to protect researchers from extremists who have engaged in
unlawful tactics to advance their beliefs and we intend to vigorously
enforce it while pursuing a permanent injunction," Block said in a
statement.
"UCLA holds free speech sacrosanct, but the use of Molotov cocktails,
vandalism and threats is not protected speech," he said. "We remain
committed to the humane use of animals in research that is heavily
regulated and critical to the development of lifesaving treatments for
a wide variety of ailments."
According to UCLA, the preliminary injunction prohibits three groups
and five individuals from coming with 50 feet of the residences of
UCLA personnel involved in animal research during any demonstration
and 150 feet at night. It also prohibits the posting of personal
information about UCLA personnel on Web sties maintained by the groups
and individuals.
The order was expanded to include those acting in concert with the
already named individuals and groups. Those failing to comply with the
injunction are subject to contempt of court charges.
The order remains in effect until a trial is held on whether to issue
a permanent injunction. A Feb. 17, 2009, trial date is set.
The groups named in the injunction are the UCLA Primate Freedom
Project, the Animal Liberation Front and Animal Liberation Brigade.
The individuals named are Linda Faith Greene, Hillary Roney, Kevin
Olliff, Ramin Saber and Tim Rusmisel, according to UCLA.
"Two of the groups (the Animal Liberation Front and Animal Liberation
Brigade) are clandestine organizations that regularly break the law,"
Dr. Jerry Vlasak, a trauma surgeon and press officer for the North
American Animal Liberation Press Office, told City News Service. "The
Animal Liberation Front and Animal Liberation Brigade neither care nor
know about the restraining order."
UCLA researchers have been the target of several attacks in recent
months. In February, someone left an incendiary device at the home of
professor Edythe London, who uses monkeys in nicotine-addiction
research funded by tobacco giant Philip Morris. The device reportedly
charred her front door.
Animal activists also have claimed credit for breaking a window in
London's house and using a garden hose to flood the ground floor,
causing more than $20,000 in damage, The Los Angeles Times reported.
According to the university, Molotov cocktail-type devices have been
left near the homes of UCLA faculty on three occasions since June
2006. Their homes have also been vandalized and they have received
threatening phone calls, e-mails and -- on one occasion -- a package
rigged with razor blades, the university reported.
UCLA and various law enforcement organizations are offering a combined
$170,000 reward for information leading to the arrests and convictions
of those responsible for the attempted firebombings.
UCLA gets injunction against animal rights groups
04/23/2008 06:46:00 AM PDT
http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_9025470
Attorneys for UCLA on Tuesday obtained a preliminary injunction
against animal rights groups and activists accused of harassing
university researchers who conduct experiments using animals.
The injunction granted by Santa Monica Superior Court Judge Terry B.
Friedman extends and expands a temporary restraining order granted
Feb. 22, according to UCLA Chancellor Gene Block.
"This preliminary injunction is an important step in UCLA's ongoing
efforts to protect researchers from extremists who have engaged in
unlawful tactics to advance their beliefs and we intend to vigorously
enforce it while pursuing a permanent injunction," Block said in a
statement.
"UCLA holds free speech sacrosanct, but the use of Molotov cocktails,
vandalism and threats is not protected speech," he said. "We remain
committed to the humane use of animals in research that is heavily
regulated and critical to the development of lifesaving treatments for
a wide variety of ailments."
According to UCLA, the preliminary injunction prohibits three groups
and five individuals from coming with 50 feet of the residences of
UCLA personnel involved in animal research during any demonstration
and 150 feet at night. It also prohibits the posting of personal
information about UCLA personnel on Web sties maintained by the groups
and individuals.
The order was expanded to include those acting in concert with the
already named individuals and groups. Those failing to comply with the
injunction are subject to contempt of court charges.
The order remains in effect until a trial is held on whether to issue
a permanent injunction. A Feb. 17, 2009, trial date is set.
The groups named in the injunction are the UCLA Primate Freedom
Project, the Animal Liberation Front and Animal Liberation Brigade.
The individuals named are Linda Faith Greene, Hillary Roney, Kevin
Olliff, Ramin Saber and Tim Rusmisel, according to UCLA.
"Two of the groups (the Animal Liberation Front and Animal Liberation
Brigade) are clandestine organizations that regularly break the law,"
Dr. Jerry Vlasak, a trauma surgeon and press officer for the North
American Animal Liberation Press Office, told City News Service. "The
Animal Liberation Front and Animal Liberation Brigade neither care nor
know about the restraining order."
UCLA researchers have been the target of several attacks in recent
months. In February, someone left an incendiary device at the home of
professor Edythe London, who uses monkeys in nicotine-addiction
research funded by tobacco giant Philip Morris. The device reportedly
charred her front door.
Animal activists also have claimed credit for breaking a window in
London's house and using a garden hose to flood the ground floor,
causing more than $20,000 in damage, The Los Angeles Times reported.
According to the university, Molotov cocktail-type devices have been
left near the homes of UCLA faculty on three occasions since June
2006. Their homes have also been vandalized and they have received
threatening phone calls, e-mails and -- on one occasion -- a package
rigged with razor blades, the university reported.
UCLA and various law enforcement organizations are offering a combined
$170,000 reward for information leading to the arrests and convictions
of those responsible for the attempted firebombings.