Using force and violent means to express frustration is unproductive and blocks any potential roads for diplomatic dialogue between those involved.
The animal rights group Animal Liberation Front flooded UCLA Professor Edythe London’s home Saturday.
This follows a string of terrorist attacks against select UCLA faculty committed by the same group. And we commend the chancellor’s actions in quickly condemning these recent attacks as well as the FBI for taking this matter very seriously and fully investigating the incidents.
The FBI has previously and rightfully deemed the group as a terrorist organization.
The Animal Liberation Front has used violence to convey its message, which is hypocritical and the least effective way to communicate concerns.
Such tactics are not only counterproductive to the group’s goals of achieving stricter animal research regulations, but they also further isolate the group members as extremists in a society interested in engaging in related issues.
UCLA is not isolated in this matter; animal rights groups have targeted individuals and companies over the years with multiple acts of aggression.
To achieve some level of productive development, the animal rights groups must seek diplomatic ways to communicate their concerns, rather than mimic tactics used by terrorists groups.