Farming Family Endures Sunday Attack by Veteran Conflict-Generation Group

Third-generation mink farmers Ron Gengel and family endured a protest at their home and farm in Lake Villa, Illinois on Sunday, Nov. 7, 1999. The protest was organized by the Chicago metropolitan-based chapter of the Animal Defense League (ADL), a veteran conflict-generation group affiliated with the extreme New York and New Jersey chapters of ADL.(1)

About 15 protesters showed up, many wearing black hooded sweatshirts, half a dozen wore masks over their faces. Local law enforcement responded and ensured that there were no violations of the rights or property of the farming family or the rights of the protesters to express their opinion.

Involved with the Chicago ADL is veteran conflict gypsy Kim Berardi who has organized ADL "Civil Disobedience Training" sessions focusing on "physical, psychological and emotional preparation" and "how to handle the police", among other items. Previously associated with the extreme New York and New Jersey ADLs, groups which openly support the criminal activities of the terrorist Animal Liberation Front (ALF), Berardi was promoted in 1999 to managing the Chicago Animal Defense League.

Berardi is a well-known follower of the philosophy of "animal liberation" which advocates releasing the Earth and animals from ownership and control by humans.

Steve Frye, fur farmer from Crystal Lake, Illinois and boardmember of Fur Commission USA, lent emotional support to the Gengel family. "Our farm was invaded in 1997, causing substantial harm to the health of our animals and our breeding records," stated Frye. "I have learned that 'animal libbers' are all for utilizing animal habitat for food crop production and support using petro-chemical-based synthetics for clothes. But they oppose organic products produced from animals and insects, both wild and domestic, even if such production helps to keep the land wild. It's a nonsense philosophy that certainly won't feed and clothe 6 billion people."

Earth and animal liberation activist/terrorist Berardi has arrest records in, at least, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Washington State. Charges lodged against Berardi include disorderly conduct, defiant trespass, criminal mischief, obstructing a highway, recklessly endangering others, resisting arrest, failure to disperse, burglary, theft, riot and conspiracy to riot.(2)

Known targets of Berardi's wrath have included hunting events, restaurants serving beef, fish, poultry and dairy products, department stores offering fur and leather goods, circuses, medical research and a packing plant.

Berardi currently faces charges in Washington State arising from a masked invasion of a farm on Feb. 23, 1999. About 15 people donned black masks and jumped the fence of a fur farm in Snohomish County where they began breaking into pens, traumatizing the domesticated mink. Five people were quickly arrested, including three out-of-state minors transported across state lines to perform criminal acts on a school day during school hours. Like Berardi, the other adult involved, Nicole Dawn Briggs, has arrest records in multiple states. They were charged with second-degree burglary and first-degree theft for the incident. Trial is set for January of 2000.

NOTES:

(1) See Can we spell 'schizophrenia'? FCUSA commentary, July 1, 1998.

(2) "Pigeon shoot protestors to face court", Morning Call, Allentown, Pennsylvania, Sept. 22, 1997; "Fur protestors get jail sentences", Asbury Park Press, New Jersey, July 16, 1999; Associated Press briefs from Allentown, Pottsville, Scranton, September 1998

See also:

Quick Arrest for Bungling Terrorists in Washington State Raid FCUSA press release, Mar. 4, 1999.

Two Arrested in Protest at Fur Auction. By the Associated Press, reproduced with permission; Feb. 22, 1999.

For further information contact: Teresa Platt, Executive Director, Fur Commission USA, PMB 506, 826 Orange Avenue, Coronado, CA 92118-2698 USA, (619) 575-0139, (619) 575-5578/fax, furfarmers@aol.com, www.furcommission.com.

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