12 November 2005
San Diego, CA
Activists gathered today from LA, Orange, and San Diego Counties to show support for and stand in solidarity with Peter Young, who was sentenced on November 8, 2005 to 2 years in prison under the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act.
Young was accused of liberating 1000's of mink from Mid-Western fur farms during the fall of 1997.
Similar acts of solidarity were planned nationwide for this week.
12 activists gathered in the Hillcrest neighborhood of San Diego to demonstrate at Millards Fur Service. Hillcrest, known as a progressive and liberal neighborhood, stands out as an anomaly--housing one of the few remaining fur-related storefronts in San Diego County.
Activists armed with bullhorns and placards reminded neighbors, passers-by, and local business owners of the atrocities committed by the fur industry. They also pointed the finger at the complicitous companies that support and profit from the needless slaughter of animals for "fashion."
Upon arrival of the activists, Millards quickly closed and locked their doors. Shortly thereafter, five uniformed police officers arrived--but their presence did not interfere in the slightest with the activists’ noisy but peaceful demonstration.
Annually, 40 million animals are killed in North America for their skins. Wild animals are caught in indiscriminate leg-hold traps (which often catch dogs and cats). More typically, though, they are bred and housed in tiny cages in which they pace endlessly over an area of just a few square feet--when nature has prepared them, instead, to traverse hundreds of acres. These animals are then killed by being drowned, gassed, anally electrocuted, or having their necks broken. Too often, the animals are not dead and have their skins removed while they are still alive and fully conscious.
For more information on the barbaric fur industry and what you can do to stop it, visit:
http://www.furkills.org For information on what you can do to support Peter Young over the next 2 years in prison, please visit:
http://www.supportpeter.com