Animal Liberation Front Spokesman Turns Down Chance To Speak At FBI

[hatrack]

Hmm, I wonder why . . .

An extremist animal-rights group that has targeted pharmaceutical and research labs said Friday the FBI invited one of its representatives to speak at agency headquarters, but the activist declined, saying he does not want to help law-enforcement officials.

The FBI did not return phone calls from United Press International (ed. - Yeah, yeah, I know) seeking to verify the authenticity of the letter, but if it is valid, the move would appear to be another effort by the agency to increase its activity against animal-rights groups. The group, known as Animal Liberation Front, said Jerry Vlasak, a trauma surgeon and one of its press officers, was contacted by the FBI two weeks ago to make a presentation at a class on activist groups at agency headquarters in Quantico, Va.

Vlasak sent a letter back to the FBI July 4 declining the request. "I have no intention of aiding and abetting your agency by providing information and insights that might be used against activists," Vlasak wrote in the letter. "Until that day when non-human beings are afforded the right to be free of human domination, I will support those who risk their freedom for the animals and will continue to educate the media about why some activists decide to go underground to liberate animals and stop the horrific crimes perpetrated daily -- and with your express blessings -- against non-humans."

Vlasak told UPI he thought the FBI extended the invitation to him because "they're frustrated at their efforts to find out more about people who are selfless enough to go out and help animals, even if it means breaking the law." The agency might be having difficulty thwarting the animal-rights activists because they have different motivations than traditional criminals, Vlasak added. "They're trying to get more insights into how these people operate so they can try to catch them easier," he said.

EDIT

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Animal_Activist_Turns_Down_FBI_999.html

[LeftyMom]

1. Can I clarify something?

The article makes it sound like the ALF is some sort of monolithic organization in which Dr Vlsak has an official role. Neither is true, and the role of the NAALPO as spokespersons for underground action to the press is debatable at best.