Friends of Animals Unfairly Accused
Letter to Editor-The Connecticut Post
Published: Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Page A11
Your June 28 article (“Terrorist watchdog ties Shahzad to other militants, groups”) unveiled the work of the Institute for the Study of Violent Groups at the University of New Haven, in which Friends of Animals was wrongly accused by the institute of associating with acts of terror as follows: “The Institute has documented 172 incidents involving terrorists, radicals and the Mafia in Connecticut. They’ve documented actions by the Ku Klux Klan, the White Wolves, Minutemen, Friends of Animals and the Diablos motorcycle gang.” Upon complaint, Daniel Mabrey, the institute’s executive director, promised a clarification would be forthcoming.
He failed to follow through, yet admitted he was relying on a 22-year-old news report, which claimed that a New York resident, who was arrested for attempting to deliver a pipe bomb to U.S. Surgical Corporation, was a member of Friends of Animals.
In truth, the person was not a member of Friends of Animals, but regardless, the group cannot be indicted for someone else’s act of coercion, or terror. That’s not evidence, nor is it proper analysis.
Clearly, a public apology is due Friends of Animals. Activists are routinely labeled as domestic terrorists in the U.S. to suppress protest demonstrations and other activism, yet nonviolence is Friends of Animals’ guiding principle.
Friends of Animals advocates animal rights and repudiates violence toward humans and nonhumans.
I joined Friends of Animals because of its view that no exploitation is acceptable, that challenging domination is at the core of animal advocacy, and that humans should be committed to social and environmental justice.
Careless news-gathering and reporting by the institute defamed the practices and policies of Friends of Animals. The institute’s allegations are preposterous.
They damage the reputation of an international animal advocacy group that deserves respect.
Priscilla Feral
President
Friends of Animals
Darien, Connecticut
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8 Comments
On July 6, 2010, Al Streit wrote:
This was very irresponsible. I hope they do apologize publicly.
On July 6, 2010, Nancy Andreassi wrote:
Thank you, Priscilla, for your clarity of vision and unstinting vigilance in the defense of those most vulnerable to the unfortunate tendency of warrantless human aggression. We would be remiss in failing to call out the malicious mischaracterization and willful intellectual dishonesty in labeling non-violent organizations as terrorists. We would also do well to recognize the drastic implications such a practice has for our own species, particularly here in America, where hard won freedom and liberty have been imperiled by the radicalization of proscriptive legal measures.
On July 6, 2010, Ellie Maldonado wrote:
Standing tall with Friends of Animals!
On July 6, 2010, Leno Sislin wrote:
I would not have paid any attention to this in any case!
As a ‘friend’ of yours for all these years, I would see this as total rot & deleted it!!!
Stand strong, Priscilla!!!
On July 6, 2010, Martha Milne wrote:
What a clear example of poor and unprincipled reporting. An apology and a printed, published correction and recantation (not on the inside pages) should appear promptly!
On July 6, 2010, susie sansbury wrote:
YES
On July 6, 2010, Lynette wrote:
I’d be questioning the funding to this institute. Sloppy work!
On July 9, 2010, Lisa Brown wrote:
Although I agree that no group should be held responsible for the actions of someone claiming to be a part of that group, there is the unfortunate rape of justice called the “RICO ACT”, which not only allows just that, it even goes a step further and allows mass prosecution because of those actions. Originally formed to target Mafia and motorcycle “gangs”, it has spread until no one is safe from it. It is just another way to let law enforcement slack on the job and still receive the credit, and ruins innocent lives and reputable groups everywhere.