AR-News: Madison-Univ. of Michigan Vivisector Out of Control

[quiver at bellsouth.net]

June 8, 2004

Contact: Jeremy Beckham 801-953-3748

For immediate release:

University of Michigan Vivisector Out of Control

Madison- Earlier today, University of Wisconsin vivisector, Chris Coe,
well-known for his hideous experiments on primates, tried to intimidate and
threatened arrest against Jeremy Beckham, a 19 year-old student from Utah
who is traveling across the US to educate people about facilities like Coe's
laboratory.

Beckham has positioned himself outside the primate lab to distribute
leaflets to passersby. -- which is a peaceful, legal, free speech activity
protected by the First Amendment. Coe, who works at the primate lab,
approached Jeremy and said he (Coe) was watching Jeremy and if he did
anything wrong Coe would have him arrested and other similar statements.

Jeremy is a volunteer with The Primate Freedom Project which supports legal
status for all primates and freedom from experimental use in laboratories.

Coe and other vivisections are anxious about this week's events as the
University hosts the American Society of Primatologists. Protests and
counter-protests are expected in this tense atmosphere.

People from across the US are in Madison this week as part of a conference
sponsored by The Alliance of Animals. The Alliance is sponsoring the Hundred
Monkey March on June 12.

Jean Barnes, Director of The Primate Freedom Project based in Atlanta,
called the University today to complain about Coe's intimidation and threats
against Jeremy. Barnes told University officials, "we will take whatever
measures are necessary to insure Beckham is allowed to exercise his free
speech rights...those measures could include pressing charges and having Coe
arrested if the threats continue. The University is aware that it is illegal
to interfere with protestors --- which puts the University in jeopardy of
litigation."

Information about Jeremy's Tour can be found at
http://primatefreedom.com/diary.html
_________________________________________
Who: Jeremy Beckham
What: protest against primate experimentation at the Univ. of Wisconsin
When: June 7 thru June 13
Time: sunrise to sunset
Where: 1220 Capitol Court, Madison
Primate Freedom Project 770-719-5348 www.PrimateFreedom.com