Highlights

– SHAC holds large-scale demonstration in United Kingdom targeting Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS)
– WAR begins new campaign targeting investors of HLS in New York City
– Protests against HLS likely to continue in the near to mid-term; will remain peaceful in nature

Over the past several weeks, various animal rights groups have conducted events targeting Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS), a long-time target of the movement, as part of a renewed effort to force the company to shut down.

We expect protests to continue against HLS and affiliated targets in the near to mid-term in both the United States and Europe, and believe that the majority will remain peaceful in nature, similar to the recent actions.

SHAC Holds National March and Rally in United Kingdom

On July 12, 2008, Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (SHAC) held a national march and rally in Peterborough, United Kingdom, specifically targeting HLS. According to SHAC, the event was important, as it was an opportunity to show “mass opposition against animal abuse.” Activists first participated in a march around Peterborough and then traveled to the gates of HLS in the area.

According to media reports, several hundred individuals participated in the event. Local police stated that they worked with both SHAC and HLS prior to the demonstration in order to minimize the impact on the public. No major incidents or violence were reported.

SHAC has previously held similar events in the UK against HLS and affiliated targets, such as:

– April 2008: SHAC organized a national march and rally against Novartis, a primary customer of HLS, in Horsham; approximately 400 activists attended (Previous Report). Following the event, SHAC stated that the rally was the beginning of a new stage in their fight against Novartis and HLS.

– November 2007: SHAC activists staged a national march and rally against HLS in Cambridge; according to reports, several hundred activists attended.

We believe SHAC will continue to organize similar larger-scale events against HLS and associated companies in the mid to long-term. As seen during previous rallies, it is likely that they will remain primarily peaceful in nature.

WAR Begins New Campaign Against HLS Investors

In early July 2008, Win Animal Rights (WAR) launched “Operation IX3: Institutional Investor Insanity,” a campaign targeting companies that hold shares of HLS. According to the group, the campaign will focus on the major institutional shareholders of HLS, who are allegedly “so greedy and cold-hearted, knowing that they have invested in a company that kills animals for profit.”

On July 5, 2008, demonstrations associated with the campaign began in New York City, all taking place at the homes of employees of companies with shares of HLS. The protests were small in scale, with approximately 10-15 individuals participating in each event. Of note, the demonstrations took place at the homes of regular employees, and not managers or high-level executives, as seen during the majority of earlier protests held by the group.

We believe that WAR will continue to stage protests at the offices of targeted companies, as well as at the homes of employees in the New York City area, in the near-term. It is likely that future demonstrations will remain small in scale and non-violent in nature.

Protests Will Continue

SHAC and WAR will likely continue to hold demonstrations and similar events targeting HLS and associated targets in the near to mid-term, as part of their ongoing campaign against the company. Protests are likely in both Europe and the US.

Any future perceived successes against associated businesses, such as HLS investors or customers, will serve to embolden activists in their campaign against HLS, and could result in increased protests over time.

As stated previously, we believe that the majority of these events will remain peaceful in nature; however lone activists or small cells engaging in more militant activity remain a cause for concern.