Homes of BMS, Abbott, Novartis Execs Targeted in Late-Night Protests by Animal Rights Activists

(MoneyWatch) 

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Animal rights activists showed up, at night, at the homes of executives associated with Bristol-Myers Squibb, Abbott Labs and Novartis over the last few days, screaming their messages through bullhorns in the street.

No arrests were made although the police did move protesters on from the Chevy Chase, Md., home of a Novartis lobbyist, according to IndyMedia Radio.

The protesters want the companies to cut their ties to Huntingdon Life Sciences, a contract company that tests drugs on animals.

Targeted were BMS board member Togo West, Abbott senior director of government affairs Jennifer Luray, and an unnamed Novartis lobbyist.

The demos were part prank, part harassment. You can listen to a recording of them here.

Normally, a bit of late-night shouting might be written off as jarring but harmless. But ever since activists burned down the vacation home of Novartis CEO Daniel Vasella in the summer, the fact that activists know where these exectives live has to be seen in a more serious light.

• Previously:
• Novartis CEO Sends Emails to 140 Animal Rights Activists: "You Are Criminals"
• Novartis: Police Get Serious About Attacks on CEO; Boehringer Lab Site Torched
• Activists Post Photos of Novartis CEO's Family Grave; Threaten to Flush Mom's Ashes Down Toilet
• Novartis Ups Rhetoric v. "Terrorist" Animal Rights Activists; "Police Not Taking It Seriously"
• Novartis CEO Family Grave Attacked a 2nd Time; Targets Listed on Animal Rights Site
• Novartis CEO's Home Burned; Mother's Grave Desecrated; Animal Rights Activists Suspected