A group of animal rights activists marched through the UCLA
campus Monday, stopping at research labs and the chancellor’s
office to protest the animal research occurring on campus, alleging
that it is conducted in an inhumane manner.
The march, which consisted of about 15 protestors, coincided
with the annual National Primate Liberation Week.
University spokeswoman Judy Lin said similar marches are held
every year. But this year, the protestors received a short meeting
with the vice chancellor for research, Roberto Peccei.
University officials maintain all animal testing on campus is
humane and conducted in accordance with animal rights laws.
Related Stories
Marchers carrying signs depicting lab animals, emblazoned with
anti-experimentation slogans, walked from the corner of Westwood
Boulevard and Lindbrook Avenue through parts of South Campus,
stopping briefly at some research buildings.
They were followed by a handful of police officers, some on
bicycles and some in police cruisers.
“Hey, UCLA, what do you say? How many animals did you kill
today?” marchers chanted through bullhorns.
The march proceeded up Bruin Walk through crowds of students,
ending in Murphy Hall.
The protestors sat down in front of the chancellor’s
office, refusing to leave until they were granted a meeting with
acting chancellor Norman Abrams.
Instead, UCLA officials offered the protestors a meeting with
Peccei.
Chris DeRose, the president of Last Chance for Animals and one
of the marchers, met with Peccei on behalf of the group.
After the meeting, he said Peccei had asked the protestors to
denounce the more violent activities of some other animal rights
groups, and that in return the university would consider holding
more meetings with activists.
But DeRose said he had refused to denounce those activities.
“If you’re going to be labeled a terrorist, you may
as well do it for the right reasons,” he said.
Lin said a number of similar protests have been held recently,
including a march on the chancellor’s home on Sunday.