Animal rights issue no justification for terror

In our post Sept. 11 traumatized world, smoke filled corridors of high rise buildings will never be viewed as an innocuous thing. The images of desperate people jumping from the Twin Towers and massive amounts of debris crashing onto the streets of New York aren’t easily forgotten.

Last Wednesday, terrorism came to downtown Seattle, as nearly 700 people were evacuated following a pair of smoke bomb attacks. Speculation is that the military-style smoke bombs planted in separate sites were placed there by supporters of the animal rights group Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty. SHAC’s primary target is Huntingdon Life Sciences, a company involved in bio-medical research which involves testing on animals. The two Seattle office buildings house companies insuring the British-based research firm. While no one has officially claimed responsibility for the attacks, there is a clear pattern of this type of activity involving SHAC supporters worldwide. A message posted to SHAC’s Web site following the attacks stated: "Although we do support direct action, as long as it doesn’t hurt any animal, human or non-human, we do not engage in, organize or fund such actions. However, we do applaud those brave enough to do so."

While the perpetrators are lucky that no one was injured in the orderly evacuation of the buildings, they frankly can’t be allowed to continue their "ends justify the means" approach to activism. Property damage, intimidation and acts of terrorism should not be considered effective ways to make a point.

Regardless of where you stand on the issue of animal rights, this act was wrong. Far from a harmless prank, these domestic terrorists preyed on the vulnerability of innocent people, leaving us to wonder — what were they thinking?

Do they really expect that major insurance companies will stop selling policies to clients whose organizations were involved in the testing of animals? Did they really imagine that this kind of cowardly act would somehow serve to change their minds? Isn’t it more likely — rather than resulting in cancelled insurance policies — that they’ll simply jack up the rates to compensate for the hassle of doing business?

Appropriately, the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are involved in this investigation.

This is clearly a case of "what you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say."

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Thursday, Feb. 6

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Curtains act as doors for a handful of classrooms at Glenwood Elementary on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Schools’ building needs point to election reform

Construction funding requests in Arlington and Lake Stevens show need for a change to bond elections.

Lake Stevens school bond funds needed safety work at all schools

A parent’s greatest fear is for something bad to happen to their… Continue reading

Arlington schools capital levy: Say yes to new Post Middle School

Schools are the backbone of the Arlington community. Families want to move… Continue reading

Long sentences not much of a deterrent but serve justice

A recent column by Todd Welch mentions a trope that ignores one… Continue reading

Comment: Trump’s stress-test of Constitution shows it’s up to job

Keep filing lawsuits and the courts will bat down his unconstitutional orders; as long as he follows the rulings.

Stephens: Trump endangers stability of Pax Americana

Discarding the values of a ‘Great Power’ for a ‘Big Power’ will cost the U.S. its standing in the world.

FILE- In this Nov. 14, 2017, file photo Jaìme Ceja operates a forklift while loading boxes of Red Delicious apples on to a trailer during his shift in an orchard in Tieton, Wash. Cherry and apple growers in Washington state are worried their exports to China will be hurt by a trade war that escalated on Monday when that country raised import duties on a $3 billion list of products. (Shawn Gust/Yakima Herald-Republic via AP, File)
Editorial: Trade war would harm state’s consumers, jobs

Trump’s threat of tariffs to win non-trade concessions complicates talks, says a state trade advocate.

A press operator grabs a Herald newspaper to check over as the papers roll off the press in March 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald file photo)
Editorial: Push back news desert with journalism support

A bill in the state Senate would tax big tech to support a hiring fund for local news outlets.

Jayden Hill, 15, an incoming sophomore at Monroe High School is reflected in the screen of a cellphone on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Students need limits on cellphones in school

School districts needn’t wait for legislation to start work on policies to limit phones in class.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Wednesday, Feb. 5

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Comment: Costco’s work to defend its DEI values isn’t over

Costco successfully argued its values to shareholders, but a bigger fight looms with ‘anti-woke’ forces.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.