Kill scientists, says animal rights chief
The Observer (UK) ^ | July 25, 2004 | Jamie Doward, social affairs editor

Fury as former surgeon calls for selective assassinations A top adviser to
Britain's two most powerful animal rights protest groups caused outrage last
night by claiming that the assassination of scientists working in biomedical
research would save millions of animals' lives.

To the fury of groups working with animals, Jerry Vlasak, a trauma surgeon
and prominent figure in the anti-vivisection movement, told The Observer: 'I
think violence is part of the struggle against oppression. If something bad
happens to these people [animal researchers], it will discourage others. It
is inevitable that violence will be used in the struggle and that it will be
effective.'

Vlasak, who likens animal experimentation to the Nazis' treatment of the
Jews, said he stood by his claim that: 'I don't think you'd have to kill too
many [researchers]. I think for five lives, 10 lives, 15 human lives, we
could save a million, 2 million, 10 million non-human lives.

Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (Shac), which campaigns for the closure of
Huntingdon Life Sciences, has close links with Vlasak. He has also advised
Speak, the organisation that last week forced out the contractor building an
£18 million primate research laboratory in Oxford.

David Martosko, research director at the Centre for Consumer Freedom, which
monitors activist groups on behalf of business interests, responded by
saying Vlasak was 'one of the most dangerous animal rights zealots on the
planet'. He added: 'He's not making bombs, but he is making bombers.'

Vlasak will address an animal rights conference organised by Shac and Speak
in September. Legal experts warned that, if he uses his speech to promote
violence, he could be charged with incitement.

Vlasak has made a series of incendiary claims that will alarm moderates in
the animal rights movement and reinforce claims that Shac and Speak are
fronts for extremists.

Three months ago, he told a US television audience that violence was a
'morally justifiable solution'. Earlier this month, he gave a speech in
Virginia in which he said: 'It won't ruin our movement if someone gets
killed in an animal rights action. It's going to happen sooner or later.'

Vlasak meets Shac leaders regularly. He has played a big part in writing
speeches, directing its strategy and advancing scientific arguments against
animal experimentation. He also worked with Speak in its successful effort
to prevent the building of a primate research centre in Cambridge and says
he plans to work with the group on its Oxford campaign.

Other animal rights groups have distanced themselves from him. Until
recently he was a member of the Physicians Committee for Responsible
Medicine (PCRM), a group funded by the powerful lobbying group People for
the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) and endorsed by Shac.

But a PCRM spokeswoman told The Observer: 'He is not a member of the
organisation.' Vlasak confirmed he was not working with the PCRM 'at the
moment'.

While acknowledging that his views might alienate some people, Vlasak, who
claims animal experimentation 'wastes billions of pounds a year', said more
and more people in the animal rights movement were drawn to violent action.
'The grass roots are tired of writing letters. The polite approach has not
worked,' he said.

Patricia Hewitt, the Trade and Industry Secretary, last night promised that
the law would be strengthened to tackle the growing number of incidents. On
Friday Home Office Minister Caroline Flint will unveil measures designed to
clamp down on protesters. It is believed ministers are frustrated that the
CPS and the police have not taken a sufficiently robust stance against the
movement.

One of the City's largest institutions, the National Association of Pension
Funds, is about to offer a £25m reward to help catch protesters who threaten
businesses associated with animal research firms.

Yesterday, 300 Speak activists celebrated their coup in forcing building
firm Montpellier to pull out of the new Oxford primate research centre with
a march through the city centre. Protester Robert Cogswell attacked the
NAPF's offer of a reward. 'It should stop wasting money and start looking at
why people are taking illegal action,' he said.

Yesterday Natasha Avery, a spokeswoman for Shac, declined to comment on its
links with Vlasak. Speak did not return calls.