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Fighting Primate Experimentation: A Hard-Hitting Week in Wisconsin
The Wisconsin National Primate Research Center (WNPRC) hosted the
annual conference for the American Society of Primatologists (ASP). This
situation provided us with the opportunity to target, not only the ASP,
but also the Primate Center. This was an opportunity that could not be
ignored! The ASP is an organization which promotes experimentation on
non-human primates. While some ASP members focus primarily on field
work, many others perform some of the most hideous experiments in
existence, including projects that rip infants away from their mothers.
In the months preceding the ASP conference, SAEN contacted the
Alliance for Animals, (an organization located in Madison) to join
forces in planning for a week of events to confront the ASP members. A
�shadow� conference (to reveal the truth about animal experimentation)
as well as several news briefings for the local media, and a protest
march were all planned to bring regional activists together in
opposition to primate experimentation. Tuesday, June 8th -- As the ASP conference began, we sprang into
action, coordinating the first of several electrifying news conferences
where SAEN�s Executive Director, Michael Budkie, released to local media
SAEN�s report, Primate Health at the University of Wisconsin,
Madison/Wisconsin National Primate Research Center: What We Weren�t Told
by the UW (available at
www.saenonline.org ). The news conference
exposing the horrific suffering which the primates within the center
experience on a daily basis received substantial coverage from the
Wisconsin State Journal and the local ABC television station. Wednesday, June 9th -- Activists targeted a reception that the WNPRC
arranged for the ASP conference participants. As the ASP members arrived
at the Primate Center, they were met by activists performing a mock
primate experiment. The Center staff quickly hurried the conference
attendees to another entrance � the loading dock. Isn�t it a pity that
they were inconvenienced. This event was covered by the Capital Times,
quoting heavily from the SAEN report. Thursday, June 10th -- SAEN held another exciting news conference
heralding the call for congressional hearings to investigate the Primate
Center System. Though this call for legislative action initially came
from SAEN, other organizations signed onto the effort by sending letters
of support. These organizations include PETA, Physicians Committee for
Responsible Medicine, Medical Research Modernization Committee, Primate
Freedom Project, Animals� Voice, International Primate Protection
League, and Alliance for Animals. The Isthmus, another local newspaper
in Madison, wrote a brilliant article covering this media event (all
newspaper articles are available at our website in the media coverage
section). Friday, June 11th -- Today�s shadow conference, Primate Vivisection:
What the American Society of Primatologists Doesn�t Want You to Know,
was a true success. Our conference was well attended, and important
presentations were made by Michael Budkie, Matt Rossell, Crystal
Miller-Spiegel, and Jeremy Beckham. This conference allowed activists to
come together to be educated about primate experimentation and to
discuss plans for further action. Saturday, June 12th -- Over 50 activists from Wisconsin, Minnesota,
and Illinois rallied at the Wisconsin state capitol and then marched
over to the Primate Center. This was an excellent start to mobilizing
opposition against the Primate Center. After the march was completed,
Michael Budkie conducted an activist training workshop to instruct
individuals in the process of investigating laboratories. The workshop
was attended by activists from Madison, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis. �I think that this was one of the most effective weeks of activism in
which I have ever participated,� said Michael Budkie, SAEN�s Executive
Director. �All of the events received substantial attention from the
media in Madison. The general public was educated, and activists from
across the northern U.S. came together to oppose primate
experimentation. I feel very encouraged by this weeks� work.� SAEN�s thanks go out to Lori Nitzel and Stacy Taeuber of the Alliance
for Animals for all of their hard work in organizing this week�s events.
We would also like to thank everyone that attended the conference and
the protest on Saturday � your participation made these events a
success!!
Return to
Vol. 3, No. 1 -
Spring/Summer 2004 |
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