The world is a complex mix of competing views. Politicians and pressure groups have fought long and hard to find a balance between the desire for free speech, and the need to limit the voices of extremism and irresponsibility within our communities. Few would condemn the arrest of someone who shouts "fire" in a crowded, … Continue reading The Freedom of Speech Paradox
Tag: animal rights extremism
Animal People’s Statement on Animal Rights Extremism
In this holiday season Animal People reminds us all that we are privileged to live in a democratic society, where different points of view can be expressed, discussed and debated freely, and where violence has no place as a tool to advance social change. Speaking of Research welcomes and applauds this statement. We hope the … Continue reading Animal People’s Statement on Animal Rights Extremism
Best of Friends: University of Texas Professor helps to fund Extremism
Regular readers of this blog will be familiar with the activities of Dr. Steve Best, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Texas at El Paso and long time supporter of animal rights extremism. Indeed, only last month we discussed his support for campaigns of harassment and intimidation against students and scientists, prompted by a recent … Continue reading Best of Friends: University of Texas Professor helps to fund Extremism
Global Trends in Animal Rights Activism
I note that as I write this post I have no idea how this post will conclude. In order to count the number of global animal rights incidents I began to scan the Bite Back website (warning: AR extremist website) which logs most (all?) incidents of animal rights extremism globally. I found that eight countries … Continue reading Global Trends in Animal Rights Activism
Novartis stands up for animal research
Pharmaceutical companies have traditionally tended to avoid direct involvement in the debate on animal research, even though they and their employees and contractors are among the more frequent targets of animal rights extremism, so I was delighted to see this new video from the leading pharmaceutical company Novartis on YouTube. That it is Novartis leading the way on this issue should … Continue reading Novartis stands up for animal research
Waking up the Neighbors: A Neighborhood Response to Animal Rights Extremism
In previous posts, we've highlighted revolting new tactics by AR extremists, including the targeting of students and young scientists. Some animal rights extremists envision a future where the nation's brightest students and talented scientists must live in fear for the safety of themselves and their families. As for what such war would look like, some of … Continue reading Waking up the Neighbors: A Neighborhood Response to Animal Rights Extremism
Fostering a community response to threats against future scientists
This past week, Negotiation is Over posted on its website encouragement for a new tactic against animal research—targeting university students who plan to enter the health sciences field. NIO illustrates its proposed tactic by telling of its first "success" story: the coercion of a Florida Atlantic University science student away from a research career. What … Continue reading Fostering a community response to threats against future scientists
A New Low at NIO: extremists threaten students
Earlier this week, the animal rights extremist group at NegotiationisOver.com posted an email they received from Alena - an undergraduate student at Florida Atlantic University - in response to their attempts to solicit local activists to attend an animal rights event: Actually, I’m an undergrad researcher aiming to work at Scripps [Research Institute]! I currently … Continue reading A New Low at NIO: extremists threaten students