The activist group Animal Liberation Front claimed responsibility for the flooding of UCLA Professor Edythe London’s Beverly Hills home on Saturday, Oct. 25.
The North American Animal Liberation Press Office Web site, an organization that acts as a press outlet for several animal rights activists groups, released a statement on behalf of the Animal Liberation Front in which ALF accuses London of “addicting non-human primates to methamphetamine” and “addicting baby lambs to cocaine.”
In a separate press release published on the Web site, anonymous ALF authors wrote that they broke one of her windows and used a garden hose to flood her home, but their original plan involved arson.
“Water was our second choice, fire was our first. We compromised because we in the ALF don’t risk harming animals human and non human and we don’t risk starting brush fires,” the statement read.
UCLA spokesman Phil Hampton said London was unavailable for comment.
Chancellor Gene Block released a statement condemning the act of vandalism, calling it “deplorable.”
He added that all animal research at UCLA complies with both federal law and university policy and research such as London’s work is important in enhancing understanding and improving treatment on neuropsychiatric disorders.
Animal rights activists have targeted UCLA faculty and staff over the years, including a recent firebombing attempt on Professor Arthur Rosenbaum’s car on June 24.
“Such tactics are beyond contemptible, have no place in a civilized society and are completely unacceptable methods to achieve a political or policy goal,” Block said in the statement.
FBI officials continue to investigate the June incident, but were unavailable for comment on Monday.
Jerry Vlasak, a spokesman for the North American Animal Liberation Press Office, said his organization has no affiliation with the Animal Liberation Front, and historically law enforcement officials have been unable to identify and arrest responsible parties.
“They would love to get their grubby little hands on the Animal Liberation Front,” he said.
He added that his group was “absolutely in support” of actions such as those against London as a means to publicize the group’s message that they believe the animal research done in places such as UCLA are inhumane.
“Most people in the general public, when confronted with this information, are horrified,” he said. “It’s definitely important to get the message out.”
Vlasak said such events tend to occur after efforts in “above-ground activism” are unsuccessful.
“When people get frustrated … people feel the need to take it to another level,” he said.
A $170,000 reward is being offered by the university, FBI and other officials in exchange for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the June firebombings. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the FBI at (310) 477-6565.