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Statements of Support for Efforts to Engage in Dialogue with the Animal Research Community
MARCH 2010:
The following statements were made by various individuals or groups within the animal rights community in support of BFA’s recent efforts at engaging in an on-going dialogue with the animal research community, more specifically Pro-Test for Science:
Ray Greek, M.D., President of Americans For Medical Advancement: Future dialogue and debate would be a win for science and a loss for those advocating violence.
Shannon Keith, Esq., Director and Producer of Behind the Mask and Skin Trade:
To Whom It May Concern:
The recent dialogue that took place at UCLA was a wonderful breakthrough in the much-needed communication between animal welfare advocates and those in the animal testing field.
I cannot emphasize enough how critical open dialogue is to further a constructive merging of two areas of thought, that will hopefully be a means to assisting in more humane standards for animals used in science, as well as engaging in discussions about the elimination of animals used in medical research and the alternatives readily available.
Knowing that these researchers are willing to engage in peaceful, rational and progressive discussions is very hopeful.
We would hope that, as long as these lines of communication remain open, that resistance on either side will subside in order to facilitate positive change. Bryan Monell and Chris DeRose from Last Chance for Animals:
Last Chance for Animals (LCA) believes that freedom of speech is integral to any society. We believe in dialogue with anyone. LCA will gladly debate any person or organization in any forum on any issue related to animals. In the struggles of any social justice movement there will always be a variety of approaches. To believe that there is only one way to approach a situation is the height of arrogance and is simply historically inaccurate. The animal rights philosophy is based on respect for all life and that extends to our adversaries’ families. LCA is opposed to targeting anyone’s children. This is counter productive and the antithesis of the animal rights philosophy. Children, like the animals in laboratories, are innocent.
LCA does not believe might makes right. Attempts by the government and private parties to intimidate us through draconian legislation like AETA have only served to strengthen our resolve and commitment to end animal suffering. LCA respects everyone’s constitutional and moral right to demonstrate.
Nobody was born an animal rights advocate and nobody was born a vivisector. We were all taught by someone else. LCA believes that the arguments against animal testing are fundamentally sound and in time will win the day. LCA believes in direct action but we do not countenance harming or threatening individuals. Anyone who knows the history of LCA knows full well that we do not compromise and will never stop fighting to end the practice of animal experimentation. Through the efforts of BFA a historic possibility has arisen. We should not pass this up. Open honest dialogue is never a bad thing. We are all humans capable of compassion. We believe the researchers at UCLA are capable of change as well. If we didn’t believe in change then why do we even try? The animal rights community is filled with people like Donald Barnes and Howard Lyman who once made a living exploiting and harming animals but through dialogue are now some of the greatest advocates for the animals.
LCA has no delusions that by opening up a dialogue with the researchers animal experimentation will end anytime soon. But if we can find some common ground and in the process of total abolition eliminate a few painful procedures and improve the lives of those animals in the labs, that is a good thing. LCA thanks BFA and all the participants involved in these discussions for their willingness to explore alternatives to the current paradigm which is clearly not working for anyone involved. We urge all parties involved to give it a chance. We would like to see more debates and panel discussions. If nothing changes we can always try new strategies or go back to the streets but it would be absolute folly to pass up this incredible opportunity. It is through honest civil dialogue and education that people and situations change.
Sent out to SAEN (Stop Animal Exploitation Now) Los Angeles’s mailing list:
Fellow Activists,
I hope that you have all had an opportunity to check out the video of the UCLA panel discussion that happened on Feb 16th. http://www.vimeo.com/9566306.
Moving forward plans have begun for more dialog between AR activists and the vivisectors themselves. Although this kind of interaction between the sides is controversial and has been criticized by a few I would like to say that SAEN Los Angeles fully supports these ongoing efforts. For many years we have been advocating to open discussion with UCLA about this issue and they have refused, now we have discourse, imperfect but discourse it is.
Bruins for Animals who are the main organizers on the animals side of these events have worked extremely hard to engage the vivisectors in open talks. No, this will probably not result in the cages being sprung open tomorrow but as we have no real way of knowing exactly where this will take us I urge all of you to support their efforts. Can I just clarify that I am without question pro animal liberation as I am pro women's rights, children's rights, human rights and environmental rights. I am an unashamed vivisection abolitionist. Again I reiterate no-one has managed to abolish animal experiments yet so we don't know how this will happen. We do know however that this will only happen with our movement coming together and organizing for that end and so this is what we are asking you to do.
On their website Bruins have always invited questions and comments about the panel discussion and I ask those drawn to condemn their efforts to contact Bruins to discuss their concerns. If you have any questions or need more information please contact Bruins for Animals and they will be happy to offer more information.
