Out-of-town activists visit GSK homes in Philly

May 28th 2007

It was a memorable Memorial Day of home demos for dozens activists united for one reason: to demand that GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) executives in Center City sever their ties with HLS!

GSK's injunction against local activists only served to galvanize out-of-town East Coast kids to converge upon the city of brotherly love. As the rain began to fall, activists managed to take over GSK Manager Rosemary LeCompte's apartment where she may have kept dry inside, but definitely heard the message loud and clear. Imagine how upsetting it must be for her to be told by visitors to the city to leave town. In fact, one neighbor displayed more care about protecting a flower bed on the pavement than Rosemary herself. Others took photos of the activists, no doubt each individual providing Rosemary with another reason to do the right thing. As the activists were on their way to the next target, the police arrived. They stated that the activists could not return to Rosemary's "personal residence". Unfortunately for them, they arrived too late to hear the declaration that the activists will be back. Furthermore, there was no statement about not going to where she is publicly.

As the weather cleared up, a banner was unfurled denoting another GSK Manager, Esther Cheung, responsible for the death of 500 animals daily. Apparently the neighbors were starstruck by the activists, asking them to display their faces. With police still at the previous demo stop, there was plenty of time to alert the neighbors about Esther's exploits. She was greeted on the bullhorn by a speak out that rivals lyrics from some of our favorite vegan straight-edge bands about the horrors inflicted upon the animals. What could she say or do as a response? Nothing... Until something is done, once again, we'll be back!

While the holiday wasn't President's Day, this was not a deterrent from taking to the domicile of GSK President David Stout. A poorly thrown water balloon with too much of a water to air ratio released from a neighbor up above did not reach Mr. Stout's door. However, sounds of a presidential magnitude sure did. When police arrived, one neighbor ran out to whine about what David's poor decisions in life have brought. After the activists vowed to return, a police officer attempted to ask an activist if they belonged to the group. Needing to save every last decibel of voice, silence while walking away won out over a baton possessed by the cop. See David, not even the police always inflicts violence like you do!

The final stop proved to be quite a show, as in chauvinist exhibition. A man on a motorcycle challenged the activists to "get some balls" as they approached Glaxo lackey Minnie Iwamoto's residence. Assuming this man was referring to genitalia, they was unnecessary as those with ovaries took an active role in the demonstration. As the group headed into the narrow corridor, the action took the form of a march. One neighbor proved to be a disservice to his Dead Milkmen shirt, apparently not making the connection and asking for quiet. That's not what punk rock is about! Another lady kept motioning for what would be construed as a "timeout" in basketball or football (either imperialist nation's game). Nope, there is never a timeout from the torture the animals face thanks to Minnie. If only attempts to forcefully uncover an activist's face could force her to face the facts that 3-month old beagle puppies have been punched in the face by HLS employees. In fact, this neighbor went so far as to hit an activist in the face. Conflict resolution ensued and it was clear that Minnie's cruelty is contagious in her 'hood. With police monitoring the situation from their favorite position, seated in their patrol car, a sexist man wearing clothes as white as his privilege deemed the activists "pussies". Clearly he was ignorant of the fact that this is not an insult, nor something that would cause the group to be ashamed. Instead, he was so desperate to speak that he followed the group after all was said and done. At one point, the man stopped on a stoop to speak, but no one listened. When asked why no one cared what he had to say, he was called out for his sexism and was shunned. Remember, its one struggle, one fight: Humyn freedom, animal rights!

More info on injunction: www.closehls.net