I read this article in Capitalism Magazine yesterday, about how we should be more concerned about eco-terrorism at home, and while I agreed with it, it struck me that the author was entirely forgetting about the eco-terrorists’ cousins, the animal rights terrorists. In many ways, they are much more violent, and their actions retard medical research and thus, all of our lives. Observe:

When the San Francisco Chronicle first reported that animal-rights activists had attacked Sonoma Foie Gras, owner Guillermo Gonzalez and his two partners in a soon-to-open store/bistro Sonoma Saveurs, it seemed it would be only a matter of time before the businessmen caved.

Perhaps the partners could absorb the cost of repairing vandalized machinery and removing nasty graffiti — as in “End Animal Torture.” But foie gras producer Gonzalez, Laurent Manrique and Didier Jaubert also had to pay a very personal price: Activists sent them threats, glued their car locks, invaded their homes and terrorized their families. In the nastiest episode, animal-rights activists videotaped Manrique’s family, including his 2-year-old son, in their home and garden. Then, they sent him the tape.

The column goes on to describe their tactics against medical research companies as well, and how they harass anyone associated with the company doing the research, including outside auditors. Unfortunately, far too many subjects of this harassment either quit or take action to mollify the terrorists. That’s what Gonzalez did. That never helps. They need to be taken head on. But admittedly, it’s hard when you don’t receive the police support you otherwise should.

Read the entire story here.

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