Animal Rights Group Protests at Homes
Several Huntsman Corp. executives' houses are targeted
By Ben Winslow
Deseret News
Issue: 10/19/06

By Ben Winslow
Deseret Morning News

The homes of several Huntsman Corp. executives have been targeted for protests by animal rights activists because of a perceived link to a controversial animal research company.

Members of the group Utah Primate Freedom say they are staging demonstrations outside the executives' homes because Richard Michaelson, the chief financial officer of Huntingdon Life Sciences, also sits on the Huntsman Corp.'s board of directors. Michaelson does not live in Utah, but that's not stopping the protests outside his colleagues' homes.

"The residents of Herbert Avenue can be assured that we will return to their neighborhood time and time again, until we are sure that Richard Michaelson has been permanently kicked off of Huntsman's board of directors," the group said in a statement posted on their Web site. "And that day WILL come."

Huntsman Corp. officials were in China and not available for comment Wednesday. The chemical company was founded by Jon Huntsman Sr., the father of Utah Governor Jon Huntsman Jr.

British-based Huntingdon Life Sciences has been the target of animal rights activists because of its testing on animals. The group is co-sponsoring a national conference in Salt Lake City this week for the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science.

At a demonstration outside the Salt Palace, members of Utah Primate Freedom defended their actions outside the executives' homes.

"We're campaigning until they kick him off the board. As soon as they kick him off the board, demonstrations are over," Jeremy Beckham said Wednesday.

Some believe the home demonstrations are intimidation and harassment. Beckham calls it "pressure and effective activism."

"It's a tactic that's becoming more common," said Dr. Mark Suckow, the president of AALAS. "It's unfortunately caused some very valuable and important research to stop due to this fear people have for their families and their loved ones."

Suckow said some scientists have quit their jobs and ended their research because of fear of the protests and death threats. He encourages his colleagues to take common-sense precautions.

Outside the Salt Palace, a small band of animal rights activists held up banners and posters featuring monkeys being experimented upon. They videotaped people going in and out of the building. Some conference-goers, in turn, videotaped the protesters.

At one point, both sides held cameras inches from each other. "I hope your company doesn't do business with HLS!" Beckham shouted as he tried to hand out DVDs promoting his cause.

Some of the activists wore masks to hide their identities. Beckham said that is partly because they have been sued in civil court for harassment.

"We're not actually breaking any laws by doing things like home protests," he said. "But you don't need to break any laws to have a judgment issued against you in civil court."

AALAS is talking about the animal rights movement at its conference here in Salt Lake City. Seminars have been held on lab security and guarding against infiltration, animal welfare and other issues linked to the cause. FBI agents are scheduled to speak to the group today on a panel about activism that "crosses the line." The FBI considers some factions of the animal rights movement to be domestic terrorist organizations.

Suckow said AALAS and others need to do more to educate people about their side of the animal debate.

"The work we do saves the lives of not only people but of pet animals, wildlife animals, any animal or person that benefits from a pharmaceutical or surgical procedure of some kind. That all is the result of animal research," he said.

Utah Primate Freedom has promised more protests outside Huntsman Corp. executives' homes this week.

"I think it's a way to take the message not only to the person who is abusing the animals, but to let the neighbors know that's who lives in their neighborhood," said activist Colleen Gardner, adding that many neighbors she spoke with were appalled to find out what goes on in a testing lab. "I really do think it's a matter of education."