MORE DEMOS IN DC AGAINST HLS COLLABORATORS

Thursday, 23rd April

The second solidarity action occurred the next evening, Thursday, April 23rd, at the residence of Marlene Nicholson, Head of Government relations for Barclays. This was also the same day a DC activist was sentenced for peacefully protesting at an HLS collaborator’s home... All your courtrooms, lying prosecutors and government witnesses will not stop DC activists from naming and shaming those who exploit, abuse and murder innocent animals.

Nicholson has been a frequent recipient of demonstrations in the past, and owing to this, her domicile is now ringed with security cameras and a private security guard is constantly on duty. Barclays is shelling out thousands of dollars for this, so when are they going to realize that it would be easier and more cost effective to completely divest from Huntington Life Sciences (LSR) which is a sinking ship and loosing millions of dollars anyways. As an investment bank, Barclays should make the ethical choice not to do business with HLS or ANY animal research.

When DARTT activists arrived on the scene, the security guard was quick to start snapping photos. One neighbor, with wine glass in hand, attempted to interrupt the demo several minutes into the chanting because apparently the noise was disrupting her wine and cheese tasting gathering or offending her delicate and well-bred sensibilities. Another creepy neighbor, with a camera and the most hideous combination of turtleneck sweater and jean shorts that could ever be conceived, insisted on being as annoying and aggravating as possible, putting his camera in activists' faces, bragging about his karate skills, and buzzing around like a feces-devouring fly.

Police arrived on the scene after some time, initially keeping to the periphery, but opting to take on a more aggressive role after a higher-ranked officer of the MPD made an appearance; this aggressiveness came in the form of two police physically grabbing the legal observer and dragging him towards their patrol car while another police officer handcuffed an activist with a bullhorn, claiming that wearing a mask in D.C. is an arrestable offence (actually, wearing a mask is only an illegal act if done in conjunction with committing a crime, and free speech isn't a crime--yet), then releasing the activist when he agreed to remove his mask. DARTT activists left the demonstration shortly thereafter, but were escorted by police and the unbelievably annoying aspiring documentarian/karate legend. He followed activists all the way into the metro subway system, and there assaulted the legal observer.

Unfortunately for Ms. Nicholson's turtleneck clad neighbor, the assault was captured on camera, and a formal complaint has been filed. Marlene will continue to be the recipient of demonstrations until her company severs its ties with the bloody Huntingdon Life Sciences. Cameras, security guards, police, judges and annoying neighbors are no deterrent when the lives of thousands of innocent animals are at stake.

Disclaimer: DARTT (Defending Animal Rights Today & Tomorrow) is an independent group, not affiliated with SHAC, SHAC USA or any other organization and does not conduct or incite any illegal activity. www.dartt-online.org