Activists should demonstrate some fair play
Commentary
Cruelty to animals at any level is deplorable—a cowardly and depraved act for which there is no excuse. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the issue is of greater interest here in Westmount, a city noted for its love of pets, especially dogs.
Over the years, The Examiner has received comments from outraged readers and reported on a wide range of cases, from such despicable deeds as the beating of ducks in Westmount Park to the fining of exasperated residents for the seemingly kind act of feeding squirrels. But often events in such an animal-friendly place can turn ugly, and what might be a noble cause beneath the surface is obliterated by the irresponsible tactics of some who cross the line of honorable behaviour.
The current situation, in which two local homes are being targeted by animal-rights protesters, has people on Roslyn and Victoria avenues more than just a bit nervous—and quite understandably so. Imagine having a small horde of angry people running amok in front of your home, protesting a situation over which you have no control yourself.
Not only can this be very unsettling for children, but the mob mentality can be a dangerous thing—all it takes is one carelessly uttered word to set off a violent spree. All this from people whose love for animals is so strong that they are prepared to go to such lengths to protect them.
Unconfirmed reports that these protesters represent a British organization with a reputation for demonstrations that are big on shock value and not above some good old-fashioned violence, only makes things worse.
When it comes to rallying public support for a cause, there are many ways of making one’s voice heard. Demonstrations are a time-honoured way of getting the message out. But picketing the office of a certain company or elected official is one thing; taking the fight to where they live absolutely crosses the line. This applies for Premier Charest—whose Victoria Avenue home has been targeted by demonstrators in the past—and any other citizen, public or private.
Standing in front of someone’s home, posing a threat to their family and neighbours, is certainly the lowest, most cowardly route to take. Whenever protesters stoop to intimidate—or even inconvenience—innocent
people in the place where they are meant to feel safest, they lose all credibility and,
ultimately, support for their cause itself.
Weather: Montreal, July 25th 2008 / 24°C
/ A few clouds
/ Wind: 28 Km/h / Humidity: 65 % 
by Wayne Larsen 
Steven Guilbeault - Environment Column
Richard Cléroux - National Columnist
stopp animal cruelty
Comment online since October 5th 2006I would like to address both articles in the Westmont Examiner concerning the demonstrations against animal cruelty at the homes of executives who have business relationships with Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS). To begin with, HLS has been exposed on numerous occasions severely abusing animals. There is video documentation of workers punching beagle puppies in the face, cutting open screaming monkeys while alive and fully conscious, and many other acts of the most horrendous forms of cruelty imaginable.
The protests happening in Westmount are targeted against two executives who have business relationships with this laboratory, TEVA, and Sumitomo. While Wayne Larson thinks that the demos cross the line by bringing this fight to a personal level, we would like to remind him that according to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms it does not cross any legal lines and it is our right as free peoples to exercise this right when we feel a grave injustice is happening. 500 animals die every single day inside of HLS and without customers like TEVA and Sumitomo HLS would not exist. Last year over 100 companies stopped all business contracts with HLS because it is unethical and immoral… why do these two companies continue? Both the New York Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange have either kicked HLS off, or not allowed them to be listed to trade their stock because of fraudulent and irregular business dealings. HSBC, the world’s second largest bank, refuses to do business with them, nor will Deloitte&Touche the largest auditor, nor will the largest insurance company: Marsh. The article also forgets to mention that we have the support of many people living in this area. As dog lovers, many residents do not support a neighbour whose work includes sending orders to a laboratory to cut up innocent animals.
Every protest has been peaceful, noisy, but always peaceful. The only violence occurring is inside HLS where innocent animals are tortured and killed. The demonstrations will stop once these executives make the decision to stop using Huntingdon Life Sciences. It’s that simple.
To view an undercover investigation of Huntingdon Life Sciences, please visit:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Wy6vrTxLeq0